Hospital Plans

[The_Ogre]

Please recommed me a Hospital Plan

Can someone please recommend me a hospital plan? Or even one of these Network Plans they've got.

I'm looking at the amount I'm paying and when I think the only claim I make on a regular basis is a monthly R90 for my blood pressure medication its actually monetary loss for me.

So I've come to the conclusion that because my family is relatively healthy I honestly don't need these overpriced comprehensive plans. Apart from my wife going to the doctor once last year none of us needed any other form of medical services for the last two years.

I'm willing to cover anything out of hospital from my back pocket (I'm the only one in my family wearing spectacles so that's the only expence, apart from my bp meds of course).

Oh, btw. Its me, wife and my two daughters.

 

[Ockie]

I am on Discovery KeyCare Plus. Costs me about R800.00 a month I think (they work out your premium according to your salary). This gives me basic dentistry, doctor visits and one free pair of spectacles during a certain period of time (the dentis and GP must be within their network). I had my appendix out last year and they covered everything..apart from R300.00 for some blood work the surgeon wanted. I am very happy with them over all.

 

[The_Ogre]

Thanks oc. I'll give them a shout and see what they quote me

 

[Ockie]

Thanks oc. I'll give them a shout and see what they quote me

Cool beans. It makes me very sad having to pay that money every month to Discovery. I very seldom go to the doctor and my appendix was the first time I was hospitilized since I was 5. But if I did not have medical aid last year when it happened I would have had to scratch out R25 000.00 somewhere. I would have had to start selling my cute little furry ass on the street to pay for it. Rather be safe than sorry. Some form of cover is is a must...not a option I think.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

I am on Discovery KeyCare Plus. Costs me about R800.00 a month I think (they work out your premium according to your salary). This gives me basic dentistry, doctor visits and one free pair of spectacles during a certain period of time (the dentis and GP must be within their network). I had my appendix out last year and they covered everything..apart from R300.00 for some blood work the surgeon wanted. I am very happy with them over all.

Yikes, R800 for a hospital plan is a bit steep. I've heard some horror stories about Discovery though when it comes time to pay out - have you had any issues with them? Are they even allowed to scale the fee based on your salary?

I'm on Medihelp's Dimension 3 plan for R1400 (one below the comprehensive plan). Haven't yet had an issue with them paying out.

 

[superskully]

Cool beans. It makes me very sad having to pay that money every month to Discovery. I very seldom go to the doctor and my appendix was the first time I was hospitilized since I was 5. But if I did not have medical aid last year when it happened I would have had to scratch out R25 000.00 somewhere. I would have had to start selling my cute little furry ass on the street to pay for it. Rather be safe than sorry. Some form of cover is is a must...not a option I think.

I pay mandatory med aid of 5k for myself, wife and daughter.
Thanks to TGP, company contribution is accounted for.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Medical aid is one of those grudge things that you hope never to use but so grateful to have it when you need it. Also do not forget gap cover, we have been putting it off for 2yrs (always something we will sort out next month) and just last year alone could have paid for 7 yrs gap premiums if we had it.

 

[Ockie]

Yikes, R800 for a hospital plan is a bit steep. I've heard some horror stories about Discovery though when it comes time to pay out - have you had any issues with them? Are they even allowed to scale the fee based on your salary?

I'm on Medihelp's Dimension 3 plan for R1400 (one below the comprehensive plan). Haven't yet had an issue with them paying out.

Nope..I have not had any probs...also remember, mine is not a pure hospital plan as it covers day to day GP (must be in network) and meds thats on the list that is covered on my plan (generics only I think). When it came to them paying for my op it was done all automatically. I just kept getting emails notifying me of all the payments they made. I did not have to do anything on my side.

I have had no probs with them.

 

[ITCynic]

Unfortunately using the Discovery KeyCare plus package that is linked to your salary is a nightmare deluxe for self employed people.

Every year they demand proof of income or they charge you the maximum premium.

When you are self employed, providing proof of income can be very difficult. Discovery cannot seem to make up their mind what to accept in these instances.

This is what happened to me :-
Year 1 : no problems
Year 2 : accepted income tax statement
Year 3 : rejected income tax statement, accepted letter from my auditor (R400 for letter!)
Year 4 : rejected income tax statement, rejected auditor letter, accepted sworn affidavit from me what my income would be for the following year !!!

I mean FFS, how do you swear under oath as to what you will be earning in the future ?

Year 5: started all their kak again so I cancelled with Discovery.

Went to Momentum and they have been very good for me.

I pay +/- R1400 per month of which +/- R140 goes into a medical savings account monthly, the balance for my medical cover.

My monthly medical costs are +/- R 450 which they cover virtually in full (They deduct R24 per month from my savings balance because I don't use the generic version of my medication)

So for the R 1400 per month I pay them, I can go to any hospital, I can go to any pharmacy, I can go to any doctor and they pay specialists up to 200% of their medical aid tariff.

They also cover all the expenses for my diabetes and pay for a whole range of health specialists that I can go to twice a year.

I also have a app where I can view my entire medical aid benefits and claims on my cell phone.

In summary, I feel Discovery is no longer a health care provider but more a financial services provider (ie credit cards, investments etc) and are more interested in making money and treating their healthcare members badly. Just see HelloPeter for all the problems people have.

Consider Momentum Health when you look around.