Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality affordable healthcare, explains why having health insurance is critical.

Medical Insurance is Essential

Not having the right health insurance for you and your family can prove costly as you may well run the risk of not having the appropriate coverage when you need it most.

South Africa has a two-tier healthcare system with a large subsidised public sector and a small private sector.

Because everyone can access the public healthcare system, it tends to be overcrowded, under-resourced, and understaffed, so those who can afford it turn to private health care instead.

Without medical aid in South Africa, however, going to a private hospital can be financially crippling.

A week in hospital for a relatively minor operation can easily cost thousands of rands. It’s therefore not difficult to guess how much a triple heart bypass will cost. Consider deducting that amount from your monthly salary or your family’s savings account.

Only the financial assistance provided by medical cover has made private healthcare a viable option for the average South African citizen. But, and this is important to note, sometimes there are shortfalls, even with a top-quality medical policy.

Some medical aid policies only cover up to a certain amount of your medical fees. This can sometimes amount to a small fraction of your actual costs, and you will have to pay the outstanding balance.

Medical aid pays out based on the National Recommended Price List, which can be as low as a third of what healthcare professionals charge. This is where health insurance, such as Affinity Health, can be a lifeline.

“In short, medical insurance is like insurance for the policyholder’s health, but it also serves to protect the policyholder’s financial assets too,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health.

“Health insurance can be used to supplement a regular medical aid scheme’s coverage, as well as cover a wide range of other health-related medical expenses.”

Affinity Health offers members various affordable health care plans and products, such as Out of Hospital Benefits, Private Hospital Cover, and the best of both.

Affinity Health Benefits include:

• Coverage for immediate medical treatment in a hospital’s emergency room or casualty department.
• Diagnostic advantages to aid in the detection and confirmation of any disease, injury, or other health condition.
• Outpatient HIV/AIDS treatment, including medication and preventative treatments, physician consultations and pathology.
• Admission to a medical facility, such as a private or public hospital, a day clinic, or a sub-acute facility, that specialises in the reception, care, and treatment of sick, ailing, or injured people.
• Pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care.
• Eye screenings, optometry and specialist consultations, eye tests, standard frames, single vision, multi-vision, or bifocal lenses.
• Assistance in managing diabetes.
• Cover for 24 specific chronic conditions.
• Additional medical assistance at home once discharged from hospital after claiming accidental or illness benefits in-hospital.
• Primary healthcare screening.
• Care and support provided for members and their families when facing a traumatic event and the after-effects caused by such an event.
• Coverage for medical expenses incurred as a result of a work-related injury or disease.

In summary, Affinity Health provides members with cover that meets their individual needs at affordable premiums, starting at just R649 per month. Speak to Affinity Health today about you and your family’s healthcare needs and to find out how you can benefit from Affinity Health’s range of cost-effective options.

About Affinity Health

Affinity Health aims to provide premier quality, affordable medical insurance to South Africans. We strive to give our clients peace of mind and the highest standard of service when they are faced with injury or illness. We work to deliver innovative solutions that are simple, cost-effective, and proven, so our cover is structured to ensure that you get exactly what you need. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn