How to stretch your medical aid benefits

Balancing your budget and managing your healthcare expenses is no easy task. Here are a few tips to help you start 2024 on a good money note.

Understand your plan

This will help you make smart choices when using your available benefits and clarify the steps you need to take to get access to certain benefits. You can find all the information you need on the  Member Zone, Medihelp’s site for members.

Use preventive care to your advantage

All Medihelp’s plans offer extra insured benefits, including preventive health screenings, tests, and vaccinations. These preventive care benefits could assist in detecting potential health issues early on and avoiding complications later. Read more about screenings and additional benefits here.

Network providers and DSPs save you money

Network healthcare professionals and designated service providers (DSPs) offer high-quality private healthcare at a negotiated rate. You avoid out-of-pocket expenses when you use these providers and facilities. Find a network healthcare professional in your area here. 

Use generic medication

Generic medication is just as effective as the original brand because it has the same active ingredients, but it costs much less. Medihelp pays 100% of the Maximum Medical Aid Price (MMAP) for generic medicine, 80% of the Medihelp tariff for original medicine when no generic equivalent is available, and 70% for original medicine if a generic equivalent is available. This will stretch your savings account (if you are on a plan with one) and help you save on your available day-to-day benefits.

Manage your chronic conditions

If you have a chronic or prescribed minimum benefit (PMB) condition, follow your treatment plan diligently to prevent complications and reduce the need for expensive interventions. Your benefits can include consultations and services, medicine, and blood tests. Read more about PMBs here.

Track your expenses

Keeping track of your medical expenses throughout the year will help you to understand how you use medical services, identify possible health risks, and avoid depletion of your available limits. You will also be able to identify and report errors in billing. You can track your expenses easily by checking your claims statements regularly. All your claims statements are available on the Member Zone.

Get pre-authorisation

Use the information available on the Member Zone to familiarise yourself with all the procedures and services that require pre-authorisation, such as planned hospitalisation, PMB services, chronic medication, and so forth. When you get pre-authorisation, you avoid unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses.

Stay informed

Stay updated on the information Medihelp sends you so you are aware of any changes, all the benefits available to you, and the rules and procedures to access your benefits.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Make small lifestyle changes: eat healthier, exercise more regularly, change harmful habits such as smoking, and read our monthly member newsletter which contains helpful tips to lead a healthy lifestyle. Taking care of your health will help you avoid unnecessary medical expenses.