How many can I choose from?

There are two kinds of schemes ? open and closed schemes. Any person can join an open scheme, but closed schemes are for specific employer groups.

South Africa has about 41 open medical schemes and 83 restricted medical schemes totalling around 7.2-million beneficiaries. (Our country has a population of more than 47-million people; so less than 15 percent of South African citizens belong to a medical scheme.)

The largest medical schemes in SA

Of the approximately 41 open medical schemes in South Africa, these ones are the largest:

  • Discovery Health ? 819 406

  • Bonitas ? 224 485

  • Medihelp ? 96 100

  • Oxygen ? 90 000

  • Fedhealth ? 77 000

  • Spectramed ? 76 540

  • Momentum Health ? 71 000

  • Medshield ? 70 000

  • Sizwe ? 59 237

  • Medicover ? 55 000

How do I choose a medical scheme?

This is by far the most important question of all. Choosing a medical scheme for the first time can be overwhelming. The best advice is to look at your specific needs and talk to an objective independent healthcare consultant (broker) to assist you in choosing the right scheme and product options.

Once you are covered by a medical scheme, make sure to evaluate your situation regularly so you can adapt the cover to your changing needs.

The following three points are the most important considerations to take into account before making a decision:

  • Your medical history;

  • Your first choice regarding medical care; and

  • What you can afford.

On page three: What medical aids should pay for; your rights according to law; a tool to get quotes from all the leading medical aid providers...