As the end of January comes to an end this new year, a lot of people have probably settled into the rhythm of the year and all that it brings, from work to family and everything in between. Something that’s quite common at the beginning of a new year is an inquiry into medical aid coverage.
For those of you that are already covered, a new year might prompt you to look for a better provider, and for those of you who aren’t covered, what better time than a fresh start to a new year to begin looking into getting medical aid cover for yourself?
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a few key things to look for in a possible new medical aid scheme, as well as some important things to consider for yourself as you begin looking for cover.
If you’re ready, let’s jump right in!
Questions to Ask Yourself
First of all, it’s vital that you have a quick conversation with yourself before making any rash decisions or judgements when it comes to your medical aid cover. There are a few notable and necessary questions you should consider as you begin hunting for medical aid because you want the best medical aid cover, right?
Ask yourself these questions to best set yourself up for the medical aid that’s right for you.
• How much cover do you need? Is day-to-day essential?
• Do you need hospital cover? If so, where is the closest hospital to you?
• What benefits are important to you?
• What can you afford right now?
Once you’ve asked yourself these questions, there are a couple of other considerations to take into account when looking into medical aid cover.
Affordability
Very much related to the above question regarding your budget for medical aid, you need to intentionally and methodically research a number of different medical aid schemes and what they cost.
In general, medical aid costs are quite high. This is because of the value of human health (obviously). It’s important to remember that as you think about what you are able to spend each month, though.
Just because a plan might be cheaper than others doesn’t mean you’re going to get everything you’re looking for. You need to be wise about what you’re willing to pay for good healthcare cover. On the other hand, sometimes excessive spending isn’t the answer. That’s where the next consideration comes in.
Read the Fine Print
We really can’t stress this enough, but we’ll try.
It is absolutely vital to read the fine print on everything that a medical scheme you’re considering sends you. Analysing the benefits and types of cover that is (and is not) included in a medical aid scheme is of paramount importance to choosing the right cover for yourself.
Do the due diligence in order to set yourself up to make the best decision for your health. Trust us; it’s worth it!
Your Health Status
Another important consideration when looking into getting medical aid cover is your current health status and possibly that of your dependents (if applicable). It’s crucial to know what you need health-wise and whether a medical scheme can cover it for you.
To take it one step further, if you plan on having children within the first year of your medical aid scheme, you’ll need to consider the kind of cover you need. Pre and post-birth healthcare will definitely be essential, so it’s vital that you take stock of any of these kinds of needs before you commit to a plan.
More Considerations
While we can’t cover every little thing you must consider before choosing a medical aid, we can provide a substantial amount! The above considerations are very vital, as well as a few others that we’ll make a quick mention of now.
Making sure your chronic medical needs are covered by the medical scheme is a must, as well as the hospital care policies that currently exist within the medical aid. It’s also always helpful to investigate the quality of service of each medical scheme you look into. One last thing that’s a must in terms of research into medical aids is how well (or not) the scheme’s managed care division is run and organised.
Healthy Cover is the Goal
In saying all of this, your main concern should be to make sure you get the absolute best cover for you and your family. We all want to live healthy lives, and good medical aid can provide the means to get to that place.