4 Medical aid benefits you probably didn’t know you have

Last updated on 5th January, 2024 at 12:12 pm

Many medical aid plans offers more than just benefits for unplanned hospital or doctor visits. So how can you get the most out of your medical aid plan and save? Read on to find out.

Reading time: 3 minutes

In this article you’ll learn:

• About medical aid benefits that help you save outside of unplanned hospital admissions and doctor’s visits.
• Why using all your medical aid benefits is important for taking care of your health and your finances in the long term.
• How a combination of medical aid and Sanlam Premier risk cover can help boost your Wealth Bonus, Sanlam Group’s monetary reward for long-term wealth.

1. Preventative care programmes

Many medical aid schemes in South Africa offer preventative care benefits such as routine health screenings, vaccinations and wellness programmes. These are in place to help you detect health issues early and prevent more serious health problems from developing. “Prevention is better than cure – especially when it comes to illness,” says Dr Morgan Mkhatshwa, clinical executive at Bonitas, one of Sanlam’s preferred health schemes. Bonitas’s preventative care benefits allow members to detect serious illnesses early so that they can take the necessary steps to reverse the disease process or slow down the progression of the disease, thus staying healthy and enjoying good health-related quality of life.

Similarly, “Fedhealth covers a whole host of preventative screenings based on the member’s age and sex from Risk benefits (ie not day-to-day benefits). These are invaluable tools for identifying small problems before they become major health issues,” says Jeremy Yatt, principal officer at Fedhealth, one of Sanlam’s preferred medical schemes.

Even with preventative care, sometimes the diagnosis is a life-changing one. That is where one of Fedhealth’s most unique benefits works well: the ability to upgrade within 30 days of the diagnosis of a life-changing event such as a pregnancy or serious illness to a higher option. This means you can save on your medical aid contributions by taking up a more affordable option to suit your immediate needs with the peace of mind that, should your circumstances change, you could upgrade to an appropriate level of cover.

Wealth Bonus is Sanlam Group’s monetary reward for long-term wealth. When you take out a participating product, you can earn more Wealth Bonus. Bonitas and Fedhealth members who take out a Sanlam Premier risk policy with Wealth Bonus qualify for a Wealth Bonus boost of 15%!

2. Chronic disease management

For members with chronic conditions such as diabetes or asthma, medical aid schemes may offer specialised care management programmes that can ensure you have the help you need to get ongoing care and improve your health outcomes. Programmes like this often provide personalised support and education for how to manage your condition – two invaluable benefits of belonging to a medical aid scheme.

“The rise of non-communicable or lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer, has inspired our Managed Care programmes,” says Lee Callakoppen, principal officer of Bonitas medical scheme. “These are aimed at assisting members to understand and manage chronic conditions including cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, mental health conditions and back and neck pain.”

Bonitas members who enrol with Managed Care programmes have access to experts and advice and support for their conditions. The scheme keeps tabs, too, and can flag potential developing chronic disease and offer intervention.

Do you find yourself getting lost in medical aid jargon? We’ve simplified it for you, here.

3. Mental health services

As awareness grows surrounding the impact of mental health on our overall wellbeing, so access to mental health services grows. Many medical aid schemes now offer coverage for mental health services such as therapy or counselling, but some members may not take full advantage of these services owing to stigma or a lack of awareness about their availability.

Both Bonitas and Fedhealth have recently introduced an innovative digital solution, Panda, to support members in managing their mental wellness. The free app offers everything from audio sessions with peers and mental health experts to one-on-one virtual consultations with professionals. The schemes also encourage members to complete an online mental health questionnaire to assess their mental health status.

What are prescribed minimum benefits (PMBs), and how do they help you save? We explore the answer here.

4. Access to exclusive deals

Medical aid schemes partner with trustworthy commerce providers to offer value-added programmes to their members.

“With the current economic challenges facing the country, we know everyone, including our members, is constantly looking for added value and ways to save money every month,” Callakoppen notes. “This dovetails with our objective to provide members with access to additional value, through exclusive offers and discounts, that add meaning to their lives.”

Sanlam has selected two of South Africa’s most established medical schemes – Bonitas and Fedhealth – as preferred Sanlam healthcare providers. With access to both, you can choose from a multitude of options to match your family composition and lifestyle. If you’re looking into medical aid, or would like to change your plan, it’s time to speak with a financial planner about the option best suited to your needs or simply get a quote on the Sanlam Health Solutions website.