Comparing a Hospital Plan Together with Comprehensive Medical AidPosted by Hayes Parker on April 28th, 2021 In deciding whether to obtain a hospital plan or a comprehensive medical aid for you personally and your loved ones, it is necessary to make a comparison between your two. First, let's consider the similarities between hospital plans and comprehensive plans. These similarities are embodied in the PMBs or prescribed minimum benefits, such as emergency care, 270 medical conditions and 25 chronic conditions. As for their differences, these are embodied in each plan's benefits and drawbacks: Let's start with the hospital plan. The hospital plan is a type of medical aid which is designed to cover all costs arising from hospitalization. Included in these are room expenses, medicine, doctor's fees and various procedures. The main advantage of this sort of medical aid is that it's more affordable compared to the comprehensive plan. It is generally 30% to 50% less expensive than comprehensive plans. Thus, it really is regarded as the more practical choice especially for individuals who are young and generally healthy. Furthermore, these people should have the methods to handle other health costs that occur outside of the hospital, which naturally would not be included in a hospital plan. The main disadvantage of the hospital plan is that it's limited to hospitalization expenses. Thus if you foresee that you will be needing plenty of out-of-hospital consultations with doctors along with other health providers, then you might want to look at options other than a hospital plan. One such option is a comprehensive plan. It is a type of medical aid that's more extensive. This sort of plan is not limited by hospital expenses and is normally recommended to individuals who are older and less healthy, and for that reason more prone to needing more medical care. The main advantage of a comprehensive plan is that it covers a wider range of diseases and situations. Aside from hospitalization, comprehensive plans usually cover unlimited consultations with general practitioners. Exactly the same applies to basic dentistry. These plans also cover additional chronic diseases aside from those specified for legal reasons as PMBs (prescribed minimum benefits). Depending on your plan, coverage may also include other costs such as oral contraception, home medicine, terminal care, hospice, renal dialysis, oncology, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and physiotherapy. The main disadvantage, of course is the cost involved. Medical cover in South Africa will initially be required to put money right into a medical savings account, which is the initial source of funds for the medical aid. Following this medical savings account is depleted, your medical coverage gets better still, as you are given even more benefits. Another disadvantage is that the comprehensive plan often will not exempt you from lots of medical expenses. Most people have to augment this plan with a "gap cover" which helps bridge the difference between your coverage and the specific rates charged by your wellbeing providers.Like it? Share it! |