Hospital plans: an overview of things you need to know

[More information at the end of this article]

Ever wondered whether a hospital plan will provide sufficient medical cover for you? Take a moment to consider Selfmeds product offering and equip yourself with the knowledge to choose the right medical aid plan for you.

Essentially, a hospital plan covers hospitalisation costs ranging from emergency procedures and the treatment of serious illnesses to pre-authorised medical treatments and procedures. These plans are becoming increasingly popular among the young and healthy as alternatives to medical insurance or comprehensive medical aid cover, primarily due to their exceptional value and affordability.

Selfmed presents MEDXXI a complete hospital plan that offers members the option of adding chronic medication benefits. This plan gives members all the benefits of full hospital coverage, affordable rates, and peace of mind. Below follows an overview of this affordable type of medical aid, and the alternative medical aid plans available to South Africans.

What is a hospital plan?
A hospital plan differs from medical insurance or comprehensive medical aid. On a linear graph depicting medical cover, medical insurance and comprehensive medical aid would be the two extremes, whereas a hospital plan would feature somewhere in the middle. These three alternatives vary considerably in terms of both pricing and the level of medical cover provided:

Medical insurance
Medical or health insurance, which is a basic policy taken out from an insurance firm, works in terms of a set amount of money that covers the patients hospital costs per day, or alternatively, pays out a lump sum upon diagnosis. Some medical insurance schemes, on the other hand, agree to cover a negotiated percentage of specific operations or procedures. The disadvantages of such schemes are obvious, as your actual medical expenses are likely to be much more than your policy caters for, and are likely to result in exorbitant hospital costs during an already difficult time.

Hospital plans
A hospital plan affords higher levels of medical coverage for a broader range of in-hospital procedures, and ultimately, greater peace of mind. The fact that complete hospital plans cover members in the event of surgical complications is a very comforting thought. Day-to-day medical expenses, such as over-the-counter medicines and consultations, however, are at the members own expense. This option is ideal for young, active and healthy people who do not require medical attention frequently, but who still want the guarantee of hospital coverage in the event of emergencies or serious illness.



Comprehensive medical aid
Comprehensive medical cover at the other end of the above linear medical spectrum covers both hospital and out-of-hospital costs, such as doctors consultation fees and prescription medicines. This option might offer the greatest coverage, but it is also the most expensive. Not everyone needs this degree of cover young and healthy people are cases in point.

Who should consider a hospital plan?
Hospital plans are perfect for single professionals, young adults and students or for anyone who is active and healthy. Essentially, it is the perfect safety net to guard against the possibility of accidents that might require hospitalisation.

Individuals with persistent medical issues that require regular and expensive medical treatment, however, are better off with inclusive options that offer consistent medical assistance, such as the comprehensive medical cover discussed above.

The benefits of Selfmeds MEDXXI hospital plan
It is a fact of life that you could be perfectly healthy one day, yet face hospitalisation and immense medical bills the next. Some sort of medical cover becomes a necessity and not a luxury when one considers these odds.

The Selfmed MedXXI hospital plan provides extensive in-hospital coverage at an affordable monthly rate. It covers 100% of members hospital costs for both emergencies and pre-authorisation procedures.

Selfmeds MEDXXI covers all expenses that are related to and necessary during your hospitalisation; including accommodation, theatre procedures, materials, and medicine. Ambulance services, blood transfusions, upper and lower gastro-intestinal endoscopies, laser tonsillectomies, MRIs and CT-Scans are also covered (co-payments may apply). Visit our hospital plan information page for a more detailed account of what our plan does and does not cover.

If you are interested in our MedXXI hospital plan or any other Selfmed medical plans, dont hesitate to contact your Selfmed advisor or broker directly, or to contact us via our website.

With a Selfmed MedXXI hospital plan, you can rest assured in the knowledge that your hospital expenses will be 100% covered in the event of an emergency.

Contact Selfmed today for solid medical cover at an affordable price!

Links to more information;

South African Hospital Plans plan
More on choosing a hospital plan
Paying for hospitalisation
Hospital plans and emergency hospital admittance
Pre-Authorised admissions on hospital plans