In countries other than South Africa, it is called health or medical insurance. In this country, we refer to this type of cover for medical expenses as medical aid. The cover in question pertains to medicines, consultations with a private doctor or specialist, treatments, and procedures of a medical nature.
Now Deemed Essential
Belonging to and being a member of a medical aid/health insurance scheme is usually optional, but in latter day South Africa, medical aid membership has become essential, providing one is able to afford the required monthly contribution.
Spiralling Medical Costs
With or without medical aid membership in South Africa, medical costs have increased astronomically. Unlike other goods and services, the costs and prices of any medically-related items never decrease. They may temporarily stabilise, but they never drop. The inflationary, ever-rising cost consequences affect all parties concerned – government-funded clinics and hospitals and their patients, as well medical aid schemes and their members, who consist of folks who realise that they must have such membership to provide for their own adequate healthcare and medical needs. Without the assistance of a medical aid, very few South Africans would have the wherewithal to pay for a variety of extremely expensive treatments, procedures, surgeries, and the consequences of unexpected medical emergencies.
Overburdened and Underfunded
Overburdened state facilities cannot cope with the numbers of patients who seek their assistance – at a nominal cost or free of charge, depending on personal financial means or lack thereof. Overstretched resources equate to underfunded resources.
Life Happens
Life happens. When it does, it costs money, more often than not. This usually occurs when you least expect an additional expense, and at the worst possible time, financially speaking, although there is never a good time for any type of emergency.
Call on KeyHealth
KeyHealth medical aid membership cannot turn back the clock or change whatever medical consequence an unforeseen event has presented you, but we are right there to help support your medical needs when life does happen. Although the medical aid option that you have selected will determine the extent of your cover, we provide cover for disasters and major medical expenses in each one of our six plans. Across the range of options, certain disaster / major medical expenses claims enjoy unlimited in-hospital cover – a tremendous benefit that provides KeyHealth medical aid members with exceptional assistance and peace of mind. In this regard, there are a few terms and conditions with which our members should comply:
- Hospital-related costs – will be paid in full, providing that members use a DSP (designated service provider) hospital, and procedures there are pre-authorised.
- Injuries caused by an accident – virtually all such injuries and treatments are viewed and treated in full as PMBs.
- Specialist services (in-hospital) – cover for medical specialists while hospitalised, in compliance with certain conditions.
In addition to a host of other universal and specified benefits, we at KeyHealth offer folks who wisely choose KeyHealth medical aid membership some of the smartest and most affordable medical aid plans with the best possible benefits – the best reasons for South Africans to choose KeyHealth.