4 medical aid problems & how Fedhealth is fixing them

Medical aid in South Africa has been flawed, with little to no change or improvement over the years. Luckily, Fedhealth has been addressing these issues with their innovative product design. Here’s how:

Problem 1: Day-To-Day Savings

Day-to-day savings are the money made available to you for expenses like GP visits. This is about 25% of your monthly contribution set aside. You have a fixed amount of savings available yearly, and once depleted, it’s done. 

The problem: You have very little say in how your day-to-day savings are structured and how you pay for it. You have no say whether you need more savings than what you’re given, or less.

The solution: Fedhealth has created a unique day-to-day repayment structure. You can structure your day-to-day savings in one of three ways: a hospital plan, a savings plan or a flexible savings plan to give you more control over how and what you pay.

Problem 2: Network Options

Network options restrict you to using certain contracted hospitals for planned hospital procedures (excluding accidents and emergencies). Because you’re only allowed to use some hospitals, you pay less for your medical aid. 

The problem: Most schemes restrict the number of hospitals you can use and cut the quality of your benefits. They might remove some benefits entirely or give a lower benefit limit compared to the non-network variant of the same option. 

The solution: Fedhealth offers GRID network options that give you access to over 120 world-class hospitals and don’t slash your benefits, so you pay 10% less – for identical cover!

Problem 3: All Pay The Same, But Don't Claim The Same

Medical aid works as follows when it comes to hospital/risk cover: The contributions a scheme receives from its members are pooled. When members claim for hospital or risk events, those claims are paid from the money in that pool. 

The problem: If you’re healthy, why does your medical aid option cost the same as that of an octogenarian who needs a hip replacement? Shouldn’t you be contributing less if you’re claiming less? 

The solution: You should. Fedhealth offers Elect options that allow you to save 25% on your monthly contribution, but in the unlikely event you do need a planned hospital procedure, you pay an excess.

Problem 4: Having To Pay For 'What If', Not 'Right Now'

Medical schemes only allow you to change your option at the end of the year. This goes for both upgrades and downgrades.  

The problem: You simply don’t know what your medical aid needs might be in the year ahead. Therefore, many people don’t buy the medical aid they need right now, but rather the option that will cover them for a worst-case scenario – which is always more expensive.  

The solution: Fedhealth allows you to upgrade any time of the year within 30 days of a life-changing event like a pregnancy or serious illness diagnosis.

To join SA’s most customisable medical aid and enjoy more control over your medical aid costs, please talk to your broker or visit fedhealth.co.za