Health Insurance and Medical Aid

More often than not, health insurance and medical aid are considered the same thing. In actuality, health insurance is not a medical aid scheme, rather it’s a pre-paid preventive healthcare service for families, couples, individuals and companies.
Here are a few key differences between medical aid an health insurance:

• Medical Aid is governed by the Council for Medical Schemes
• Health Insurance is governed by the Long Term Insurance Act
• Medical Aid pays directly to registered providers
• Health Insurance pays to the insured
• Medical Aid pays day-to-day benefits limited to those stipulated in the National Recommended Price list (NRPL)
• Health insurance provides pre-paid day-to-day benefits and gives patients access to a network of registered healthcare practitioners and prescribed acute and chronic medication
• Medical Aid pays in-hospital benefits stipulated in the National Recommended Price List
• Health Insurance pays a limited stated benefit that covers in-hospital expenses for procedures, consultations and other services required by the insured

While a health insurance policy doesn’t offer the same level of cover that medical aid does, it’s still a popular choice for families and individuals who can’t afford to pay exorbitant medical aid premiums. Essential Med offers a standard health insurance policy that ensures you have access to private healthcare when it is needed most. With day-to-day benefits for out-of-hospital treatment and access to over 3000 network-registered health professionals, it’s the cover you need without the hefty price tag.

Source: http://exploring-cape-town.tumblr.com/post/66321180201/essential-med-guide-to-health-insurance-vs-medical-aid

Langebaan Properties

Langebaan is an idyllic small seaside town situated along the west coast of South Africa, in the Western Cape Province.  It is nestled on the edge of the tranquil Langebaan Lagoon, a mere 120km from the Mother City (Cape Town).  Langebaan is affectionately known as the jewel among west coast towns, and it will leave you with memories of a stunningly blue Atlantic Ocean, acre upon acre of breathtakingly beautiful spring flowers, and the ever enticing aromas of fish braais (barbecues) for which Langebaan is widely renowned.

Source: http://www.remax.co.za/Property-in-Langebaan-Langebaan-Western-Cape/

Why insurance companies won’t cover asthma

 

The high percentage of individuals suffering from asthma has placed a large burden on governments and healthcare systems as an increasing number of South Africans seek medical treatment and in more serious cases, hospitalisation. When assessing the risk profile of an individual with asthma, life insurance companies are likely to base their decision to provide cover on the severity of the condition and the measures being taken to treat it. The severity of the condition can be categorised into four grades; the first being mild intermittent asthma and the fourth classified as severe chronic or persistent. An individual suffering from severe chronic asthma will most likely face higher premiums than someone who has mild intermittent asthma. Insurance providers are cautious when providing life cover to asthma sufferers, and in serious cases they may decline life cover.

Source:  http://www.insurancesaysno.co.za/insurance-for-asthma/

Image Source:  http://www.asthma.ca/adults/about/whatIsAsthma.php

Click here for more information about illnesses that will or won't be covered by health insurance.