Medical aid is a form of insurance that provides cover for private medical care and medical costs should you be involved in an accident, fall ill or require emergency medical treatment in hospital. Being on the right medical aid scheme with the right options for your lifestyle needs is not only convenient and useful thanks to its rewards programmes, but is also essential in case of illness or emergency. Medical aid is probably the most important insurance you will ever take out

There are various types of medical aid cover available and most service providers will have a range of options within these depending on your needs and budget.

Common medical aid options include:


Comprehensive Medical Aid

This medical aid cover is suitable for you if you or your family require day-to-day cover such for GP and dental visits and more or if you are older with chronic conditions that require medication on a continuous basis.


It also covers hospitalisation and any treatment and medication you may require during you stay. It tends to be more expensive; however it does provide peace of mind as it covers most medical conditions and services.

Hospital Plan

If you take out this kind of medical aid cover, you pay a monthly fee which covers you only in the event that you are hospitalised. This is suitable for you if you are young and generally healthy, as it does not provide cover for day-to-day doctors’ visits and prescribed medications or chronic medication and related expenses

Gap Cover:

With this type of medical aid, you pay a monthly fee which pays the outstanding amount between what you are charged and what your medical aid pays in the event of you being hospitalised.
This is useful as private hospitals may charge you more than what your medical aid covers you and your family for any given medical procedure.

Hospital Cash Insurance

this is not medical aid or a hospital plan but rather is insurance that provides you with a daily cash amount (depending on your monthly contributions) in the event that you are hospitalised due to an accident or illness for long time period where you’re unable to work.