Medical Aid

The sad thing about being sick is that it will cost you money. There is no getting around it. Most of us are lucky enough to be on a medical aid before being diagnosed so we have no exclusions. Please remember that this is my point of view.

There are few things that your medical aid need to cover, firstly they must cover your dialysis. Dialysis is very expensive, somewhere in the region on R1800 a session. Secondly, they must cover your chronic meds. I have found that I normally have to pay in a little each month. Thirdly, should you end up in trauma which you probably will, you don’t want to have to pay a fee before a doctor can see you. Last but not least your doctors’ bills. These have the tendency to escalate very quickly.

Kidney failure is a PMB (prescribed minimum benefit) condition which means the medical aid has to cover it. The medications you take should be listed as chronic. This is where your doctor’s rooms need to be on form. Your script must be submitted to your medical aid. Sometimes the medical aid will ask for justification, your doctor must get that done ASAP.

I don’t think there is a right or wrong medical aid. In my experience the bigger the medical aid the better they are. So my recommendation here is that you look at Momentum or Discovery. And don’t be on a low plan if you can help it. The better the plan the more they cover.

I am no expert in this field. I find myself calling my medical aid more than once a month following up on claims. If you find this confusing go find a broker.

Until the next time, peace.