Forced Medical Aid

[james007grant]

Hi. I need some help and advise - I have a question which I'm struggling to find the answer to on the internet. My wife has been working for one of the big banks for years now and it's compulsory for them to have medical aid - it's an employment requirement. For years we've been ducking and diving this as we have 2 young adult daughters, studying and my income hasn't been always favorable & consistent. Recently HR contacted my wife to join the medical aid - on the cheapest package, her contribution is R4000!!!...for her alone, not including myself or the kids. We honestly cannot afford this - R4000 of our disposable income is gone. My question is, WHY do employers force their employees to have medical aid? How do they benefit? There's certain basic things that we just can't do anymore and future plans to do certain this for our daughters are now merely a dream. We are also in desperate need of a replacement car - we can no longer afford to buy and won't qualify in anyway as our disposalble income is now too low. Any advise will be appreciated.

 

[Steamy Tom]

advice: comply with the contract requirements

what medical aid is it? I dont beleive that the major medical aids base packages are 4k for the main member.

 

[3WA]

We have mandatory medical aid (luckily our cheapest option is much less than R4k). We can get out of it if we are a dependent on someone else’s policy.

Can she get out of it if she is a dependent on someone else’s policy? Is there anyone else who can add her as a dependent in exchange for the smaller monthly payment?

 

[james007grant]

We have mandatory medical aid (luckily our cheapest option is much less than R4k). We can get out of it if we are a dependent on someone else’s policy.

Can she get out of it if she is a dependent on someone else’s policy? Is there anyone else who can add her as a dependent in exchange for the smaller monthly payment?

Thanks, sounds like a plan. Also, do you mind letting me know which medical aid you're with?

 

[james007grant]

We have mandatory medical aid (luckily our cheapest option is much less than R4k). We can get out of it if we are a dependent on someone else’s policy.

Can she get out of it if she is a dependent on someone else’s policy? Is there anyone else who can add her as a dependent in exchange for the smaller monthly payment?

Thanks, sounds like a plan. Also, do you mind letting me know which medical aid you're with?

 

[3WA]

Thanks, sounds like a plan. Also, do you mind letting me know which medical aid you're with?

Discovery.

Our company lets us pick between two schemes, and several plans, from hospital plans to full comprehensive.

 

[Lupus]

If you're on medical aid and she's on your medical aid, then you don't need to use the companies, but I doubt you'll find medical aid for R4000 for 2 of you.

 

[WAslayer]

If you're on medical aid and she's on your medical aid, then you don't need to use the companies, but I doubt you'll find medical aid for R4000 for 2 of you.

How so..?

Can get away with 2k per month for main and adult dependant on the cheapest Discovery plan.. even if you go up to middle of the range saver/core plans, you can get away with 4k per month..

 

[airborne]

Sounds like the OP has no existing medical aid?
That's playing with fire, even the most basic medical aid hospital plan is better than nothing.

Medical aid is the the most basic form of life insurance, it's more important than just about anything else you may spend your money on because without a healthy life you have nothing.

 

[3WA]

How so..?

Can get away with 2k per month for main and adult dependant on the cheapest Discovery plan.. even if you go up to middle of the range saver/core plans, you can get away with 4k per month..

If they have adult children, they may be looking at late-joiner fees (x2).

 

[WAslayer]

If they have adult children, they may be looking at late-joiner fees (x2).

Yeah, children aside, purely talking about the fact that medical aid can be had for two adults below 4k per month..

 

[3WA]

Yeah, children aside, purely talking about the fact that medical aid can be had for two adults below 4k per month..

No, I meant if they’re old enough to have adult children, their age will count against them if they join a medical aid now. The late joiner fee will increase their premium. Probably also explains why the premium is R4k for one person.

 

[WAslayer]

No, I meant if they’re old enough to have adult children, their age will count against them if they join a medical aid now. The late joiner fee will increase their premium. Probably also explains why the premium is R4k for one person.

View attachment 1265714

Aah, okay.. I am with you now..

 

[Goosfrabba]

We also have forced medical aid but can get out of selecting the company's offer if your spouse has medical aid and you are covered under that policy. Could you not get something elsewhere cheaper, even a hospital plan, and then ad your spouse to that policy? Should be something much cheaper out there

 

[R13...]

No, I meant if they’re old enough to have adult children, their age will count against them if they join a medical aid now. The late joiner fee will increase their premium. Probably also explains why the premium is R4k for one person.

View attachment 1265714

That late joiner only applies when you join non-employer medical aid. But yes they are going to have to part with at least 3k. And the op must also note that not joining the medical doesn't give his family 4k in the pocket. His wife will just pay more tax.

 

[Kosmik]

If they have adult children, they may be looking at late-joiner fees (x2).

You don't need to add children or spouse. Can just be a main member.

 

[Steamy Tom]

You don't need to add children or spouse. Can just be a main member.

:|

 

[Lupus]

How so..?

Can get away with 2k per month for main and adult dependant on the cheapest Discovery plan.. even if you go up to middle of the range saver/core plans, you can get away with 4k per month..

Depends on if you're coastal, if you're in Gauteng nope. But that is one way to get her not to take the work one.

 

[Kosmik]

That late joiner only applies when you join non-employer medical aid. But yes they are going to have to part with at least 3k. And the op must also note that not joining the medical doesn't give his family 4k in the pocket. His wife will just pay more tax.

Discovery has plans sub R2k for a member. Delta or Essential Smart come to mind.

 

[3WA]

You don't need to add children or spouse. Can just be a main member.

I worded that badly. I meant if they have adult children, then they’re probably mid-30s or older.