Article provided by Medshield
There are a few things in life that you can ignore, and it’s true that they might go away eventually. It might work when you don’t want to deal with that pesky bug in your room. It might also work when snoozing the sound of your alarm in the morning to get a few more minutes of sleep. Finding the right hospital plan in South Africa, however, is not one of those things.
Looking for affordable hospital plans in South Africa can seem easy at first, but as soon as you dive into a specific option, you’re bombarded with jargon, forms, questions, and information that you didn’t even know you needed. Needless to say, the entire process can feel very overwhelming. So, we’ve compiled a list of things you need to know when looking for hospital plans in South Africa.
Establish a realistic budget
Although South African hospital plans tend to be more affordable than medical aid plans, you must be honest and realistic with yourself about how much you are able and willing to spend, as most hospital plans require a monthly premium or contribution. To ensure that you are covered in emergencies, you must be able to keep up with the monthly payments.
Understand what a hospital plan covers (and what it doesn’t)
Hospital plans in South Africa, as you might have guessed, cover in-hospital procedures only. This excludes your day-to-day visits to the doctor or prescriptions. When going through your preferred hospital plan, it’s also crucial to see what amount you are covered for in emergencies. You can choose from multiple options. Your monthly premium will ultimately influence the maximum amount you will be covered for. Be sure to talk to your agent and decide what amount you are most comfortable with.
Don’t forget to read the fine print
It’s important that you take the time to read through all the fine print when choosing a hospital plan. Some hospital plans in South Africa may be advertised as ‘unlimited’ but could be limited within a certain timeframe. Other options could possibly exclude major surgeries that aren’t due to an accident or emergency. Consider your health and decide which factors are deal-breakers and which are necessities.