Only 3.5 million people have medical aid out of 48 million people in South Africa
Expert urge South Africans to have a hospital plan at the least.
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Recent statistics show that a staggering 84% of all South Africans don't have
medical aid cover, and that only 3.5 million out of the estimated 48 million
citizens are part of a programme.
However, experts suggest that South Africans should do their utmost to
have, at the very least, a hospital plan in case they suddenly become seriously
ill.
"Many lower and middle income earners might believe that financial
limitations give them no choice but to risk their family's health by not having
medical aid or reducing their cover," said Yusuf Dukander of the South African
Institute of Chartered Accountants.
He said that everyone should have at least some medical aid cover. "At the
very least, you should have a hospital plan for serious medical emergencies," he
said. "No illness or accident has ever waited for a public policy to turn into
practice. We encourage people who do not have a medical aid to look at their
finances and at the medical scheme contribution credit to see if they can afford
cover."
Perform a Self Risk Profile
Buying the right medial aid cover is very important, and
consumers should shop around until they find the right one that suits them and
their family.? They should also perform a self risk profile to see their needs.
For example, families who eat healthily, exercise regularly and
don't have any serious health problems to speak of, will require different
health insurance to families where members are sickly and live unhealthy
lifestyles.
Those who have any one of the 25 conditions on the Chronic
Diseases List should definitely have cover to meet the costs of their
conditions.
Other factors, such as how many people will be covered, how much
money can be put aside each month and how the new medical scheme contribution
credit policy works should all be considered when taking out medical insurance.
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