Every single citizen of South Africa is entitled to become a member of one of the many different medical schemes in South Africa. Healthcare in South Africa is split between private and public healthcare facilities, and for those people that rely on the public health facilities, they often have to travel long distances, as well as putting up with the long waiting times for treatments. Public healthcare facilities are notorious for being overstretched due to the vast amount of people that are looking to make use of them.
In order to overcome long waiting times, and having to travel long distances, a lot of people are taking a closer look at private medical aid facilities. There are plenty of medical schemes in South Africa to choose from, and their primary goal is to take away the financial burden of receiving medical treatment at a private hospital or healthcare facility. Medical costs in such places can be prohibitive to a number of people, and those people that are not currently members of a medical aid scheme would be expected to pay for their treatments out of their own pocket.
Healthcare plans, such as the ones offered by the numerous medical aid providers in South Africa have been around for a number of years, and some medical aid companies go back generations. With so much choice on offer, it is vital that new members choose the right healthcare plan to suit their needs and requirements, as well as their budget. Recent government regulations have stated that no one should be denied a place on a medical aid scheme, even if they have a chronic or long term illness, such as cancer or HIV. This has had the effect of raising premiums in some cases, so it is important to shop around for the best deal among medical aid providers.
Medical schemes in South Africa come in a number of different guises, and they start from the basic hospital plan, to the more comprehensive plans which cost more, but they cover a broader spectrum of ailments, conditions and treatments. The one you choose should come down to a number of factors, such as how much you can afford to pay each month, as well as your age, lifestyle and circumstances, in addition to any pre-existing medical conditions you may have. You will also need to take into account any history of illness or diseases in your family.
