Medical Aid for SASSA Pensioners in South Africa
Living on a fixed income is a different level of struggle that only a retiree can understand because one has to cover a list of expenses including the cost of healthcare.
The majority of the SASSA retirement grant/older person grant holders claim that because of their fixed income, they cannot afford the medical aid premiums.
A grant is indeed a fixed amount and insufficient to cover expenses, such as healthcare, but there are multiple options and opportunities an SASSA pensioner can avail.
Medical aid options like Momentum Health, Fedhealth, or Discovery Health are affordable for the SASSA pensioners.
Let’s explore all the suitable medical aid options for older persons and retirees.
Needs of SASSA Pensioners
Before we dig into details, we should understand the needs of an older person or the pensioners living on a fixed amount.
SASSA gives these individuals a fixed amount which is sufficient to cover the daily expenses; however, the amount is not enough for them to afford the healthcare services.
In addition, if they join a medical aid program, such as an insurance plan, they cannot pay weekly or monthly contributions due to the fixed amount.
If we analyze the cost of healthcare and long-term care services in our country, it is out of range for a retired person living on a pension and SASSA grant.
It is challenging but also nearly impossible for a person living on a pension to afford medical aid due to the skyrocketing inflation.
Why Do You Need Medical Aid?
Majority of the people frequently ask why they need medical aid when they can go to public healthcare centers and get all the facilities for free. The cost of medical aid is high and if they can get facilities in public healthcare centers they should not join the insurance programs. But most of them are unfamiliar with the fact that public healthcare centers do not provide all facilities.
Additionally, a retired old person may experience long waiting times and resource constructs. On the other hand, medical aid is responsible for providing an individual with quick medical services. We cannot abolish the idea of medical aid’s significance.
High Cost of Medical Aid
Here comes the important concern that the cost of medical aid is high so how can one afford medical aid insurance?
In light of facts, the common myth is that medical aid is expensive; however, there are both expensive and inexpensive options available for the people.
One can register in the programs that provide the best medical aid and their registration fees, installments, and overall costs are lower than other ones.
These programs are known for excellent medical aid, providing medical checkups, consultations, diagnostic tests, hospitalization, and medications.
Additionally, one can get mental health services, such as therapies, and treatments. Lastly, these programs take care of their clients in times of emergency, maternity care and nursing.
Best Medical Aid Programs For SASSA Pensioners
- Momentum Health
- Fedhealth
- Discovery Health 1.
1. Momentum Health
The first medical aid program for the SASSA pensioners is the Momentum Health, known for its quality services and cheap cost. Very few people are familiar with the fact that Momentum Health is the most affordable option whether you are an SASSA pensioner or an older person grant holder.
People enrolled in the Momentum Health medical aid program claim that they are satisfied with its services and they also recommend other SASSA pensioners to join Momentum Health.
Basically, Momentum Health creates a connection between highly qualified medical experts and people facing health and finance issues. It provides all the services for free once you are enrolled in the program and suffering from a medical emergency. In my opinion, Momentum Health medical aid is the best overall compared to the other two.
Ingwe Option Plan
It is a program designed by Momentum Health to provide affordable services to people who are unable to find suitable medical aid due to the budget. The best part of the Ingwe Option Plan is that one does not need to pay a contribution based on the services he wants in future but based on income and family size.
- A member of the Ingwe Option Plan can get healthcare services from any private hospital.
- A member of the Ingwe Option Plan can get immediate medical attention and treatments.
- A member of the Ingwe Option Plan can visit the private clinics.
- Ingwe Option Plan is the third largest medical aid program in South Africa.
- Ingwe Option Plan is available only at R541 per month.
2. Fedhealth
Another program that can help you during the days of a health emergency is Fedhealth, known for extensive medical protection. There are a list of reasons why I recommend Fedhealth to the SASSA pensioners but one prominent reason is its cooperative structure. It provides assistance to the patient in all realms, including therapies and dental or vision care.
Additionally, it is highly affordable for people living on a fixed budget. In case you are unable to contribute every month, you can communicate with authorities to design a contribution plan according to your convenience. No medical and healthcare program assists a patient for an extensive period except Fedhealth.
- A member of Fedhealth can claim benefits at any moment and the company will be responsible for providing him with medical aid as soon as possible.
- A member of Fedhealth can get medical and healthcare services from any private hospital.
- A member of Fedhealth can get other facilities, such as dental and vision care or long-term care.
- Fedhealth will assist a member in all kinds of medical and healthcare emergencies.
- Fedhealth Plan’s monthly contribution is R1,716.
3. Discovery Health Plan
The third plan on my list is the Discover Health plan for people who are looking for a medical aid program that covers hospitalization and medication costs.
The Discovery Health Plan provides complete medical aid for medication, hospitalization, diagnostic tests, dental or vision care, nursing, and long-term care.
In case a person requires immediate aid, Discovery Health Plan provides emergency medical and health care services.
- Discovery Health Plan assists in all realms including hospitalization, medication, diagnostic tests, and emergency health care services.
- A member of the Discovery Health Plan can design the contribution plan based on his salary and family members.
- Discovery Health Plan is available at R1,239 per month.
What Should I See Before Subscribing A Medical Aid Plan?
Medical Aid Plan Network
The most important factor people often neglect while choosing an aid plan is its network. One should carefully evaluate whether the company is associated with the maximum number of private and public hospitals.
Additionally, one should also carefully study the network of doctors, clinics, and associated health departments with the medical aid company.
Medical Aid Program Coverage.
Another significant factor that SASSA pensioners should notice is the coverage a medical aid program offers to its members.
For example, there is an aid plan in which you need to pay thousands of rands monthly but when it comes to the healthcare benefits, the program does not cover the cost of hospitalization up to a few thousand rands, in such cases the member of the plan not only faces health issues but also finance problems.
Medical Aid Plan Cost
The cost of a medical aid program may depend upon the family members and the income of an individual.
Normally, a medical aid plan costs R600 to R1500 monthly; however, if you enroll in an expensive medical aid program that covers additional charges, it may cost you R2000 to R3500 monthly.
How do medical aid schemes work in South Africa?
A medical aid scheme provides services, such as covering the cost of medical expenses of the people who contribute monthly.
Can you have more than one medical aid in South Africa?
No, a citizen of South Africa cannot enroll in more than one medical aid program. The law in South Africa limits the membership of a citizen in the medical aid plans.
How many people have medical aid in South Africa?
Only 15.8% of people are enrolled in the medical aid program in South Africa due to the high cost of aid plans.
How many open medical aid schemes are there in South Africa?
There are only 16 open medical schemes out of 77 in South Africa. The rest of the 55 medical schemes are restricted programs.
The South African Social Security Agency provides financial assistance to people who are unable to earn money due to retirement, old age, unemployment, and disability. Retirees can enroll in the SASSA program, and get both pension and retirement simultaneously.
However, the amount given by SASSA and the pension is insufficient to afford the cost of immediate health and medical emergency treatment for a retiree.
To cover the cost of immediate health and medical emergencies, a retiree can enroll in the medical aid scheme that provides financial assistance.
Majority of the people say that they cannot afford the medical aid scheme enrollment due to high contribution fees but I have explained the 3 best and most affordable medical aid programs above. A pensioner can afford these programs and get free medical and health care services.