Fedhealth gives tips on medical schemes
They advice that knowing your benefits will help stretch your medical scheme benefits further.
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Not many people can afford to be sick in South Africa today, and those with
medical schemes are always looking for ways to make their benefits stretch as
far as possible.
According to Peter Jordaan of Fedhealth, there are several things that
policyholders can do to save on their day to day medical expenses in order to
keep the benefits for real emergencies.
One of the most important things suggested by Jordaan is to become familiar
with your medical scheme policy. It is imperative to know your benefits,
recognizing which can be paid from risk and which from savings to save money in
the long run.
"Remember that your savings account is your money and how you spend it is up
to you," said Jordaan. "So please make sure you spend it wisely."
Another way to save money is to consider whether a visit to the doctor is
really necessary. Some medical schemes offer members 24/7 help lines where they
can get free medical advice, which may save them a trip to doctor.
Help lines could give important advice about diet, drug information or even
provide common remedies that don't require a special visit to the doctor.
It is also worth remembering that medical help lines are strictly
confidential and will immediately advise callers to seek medical advice through
a doctor if there is the slightest doubt.
Finally, Jordaan advises medical scheme members to check their fee structure
before consultation begins. It sometimes pays to pay the consultant first and
then claim back from the medical scheme, as the consultant more often than not
will offer a discount.
Although this entails submitting the claim alone, money is generally
reimbursed within a fortnight and it is usually worth your while.
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