Handy Tidbits Regarding Medical Aid

The cost of South Africa's health care is much higher than in many countries

. The average citizen usually has trouble affording the insurance premiums on their meager budgets. Though the plans do not cover much, having medical aid coverage can make the payments a bit easier to handle since every little bit of assistance helps.

There are more than 50 million people in South Africa who require some form of health services, yet not even a quarter of the population has any type of private medical insurance plan. The biggest reason for this being that the schemes are not compatible with the average citizen's budget. Even government sponsored programs must be paid for, but the National Health Insurance (NHI) is working on a program to provide basic benefits to all.

It is the thought of paying such high fees each month that turns most people away from maintaining a medical aid scheme. Most tend to feel it is unnecessary unless they, or one of their family have a need for regular medications, a chronic health issue or expect to have need of an expensive procedure. Those are the ones who realize what they are paying for. What being covered by one of the programs actually gives the patient, more than a little financial assistance, is the freedom of choice regarding their treatments.

A plan will allow the consumer to choose who they wish to have as their doctor, which facility they wish to be seen at and even the pharmacy at which they will pick up their prescriptions. When covered by a scheme, a person can go to an appointment for routine exams without the hassle of having to take a number and wait in extensive queues for hours. The premiums may be expensive but they do offer some benefits along with the extra help on the bills.

Though most consumers are unaware of it, most of the schemes will completely cover certain procedures. These are not outwardly advertised so many citizens do not even realize they are available. These treatments are not paid for from the savings portion of the program, but rather from the risk benefit part.

Among these covered procedures are testing for HIV/AIDS, prostrate exams as well as blood sugar and cholesterol screenings. Mammograms and pap smears are provided to those who need them. Also included are vaccinations such as the flu shot and all the necessary childhood immunizations required.

These are all preventative procedures and providing patients with these services as part of the plan could actually keep them from contracting more threatening conditions. The companies providing coverage actually saves money by keeping people healthy because they will pay their premiums but not need the more expensive care. Those who take care of themselves regularly will be less likely to become seriously ill.

Even though all medical aid programs will require a premium to be paid, the do have advantages over having no coverage at all. It may not be until the services are actually needed that one will realize the true value of the service. South African health care providers are known for charging ridiculous amounts for the simplest procedures, so any help paying on those bills will be quite useful.

by: Tracy Narvaez

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