Of the few South Africans who are fortunate to have access to a medical aid, most seem to have depleted their savings by the middle of each year. Most of the big medical aids such as Discovery offer a member savings account (MSA) as part of their benefits.The MSA is a percentage of the contribution that is set aside for day-to-day medical expenses such as doctors’ consultations and prescriptions. While the initial amount in the MSA might sound like a ...

The rising cost of private healthcare and crippled public health service makes it necessary for South Africans to take care of their health. It’s too expensive to get sick in South Africa unless you can brave the long queues and non-availability of staff and medicines at clinics and hospitals.The face of the South African pharmacy has changed drastically in the last 20 years. The advent of the chain store pharmacy has made it difficult for privately-owned pharmacy owners to keep ...

Trying to understand medical aid terminology is enough to send you to the emergency room! It can get a little complicated and difficult to understand, a rather daunting feeling at the end of the day.Between the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) and the medical schemes themselves, they use specific terminology to describe the benefits offered in each of their medical aid plans.Let’s decipher some of the most confusing terms:1. ClaimSome doctors submit claims directly to the medical aid on your ...

As if deciphering all the medical aid jargon wasn’t enough, choosing the right medical aid option can be incredibly confusing if you are not sure of the criteria you need compared to what is on offer.Whether you are looking to revise your current medical aid benefits and terms, or you are new to the game and are looking for a medical aid to join, the information below contains all the information you need to know to make the right decision.The ...

In June 2018, Aaron Motsoaledi, South African Health Minister addressed some changes that are going to be seen in the coming year with regards to medical aid schemes in the country.He presented the new National Health Bill as well as the Medical Aid Schemes Amendment Bill, both of which are said to improve access to health care for all citizens and reduce financial distress caused by health care costs.Motsoaledi addressed 10 major changes that are going to affect medical aid ...

The opportunity to travel abroad is a major feat for many South Africans and can quite easily be a lifetime highlight for some. However, it’s important to ensure that you have the correct medical cover in case of any medical incidents or emergencies.Without international medical cover, your already expensive trip can turn into an expensive disaster. Let’s take a deeper look into South Africa’s medical aid options and whether or not they are sufficient for international travel.International Medical BenefitsMost medical ...