pregnancy & birth
L&L | AUGUST 2019 | 19TOP MEDICAL
AID OPTIONS
M
edical aid may be a grudge
purchase, until you find yourself
faced with unexpected and
expensive medical
costs. Choosing the right
medical aid is critical in
ensuring the healthcare
needs of you and your
loved ones are taken
care of, particularly
when you’re planning
on expanding your
family. “The run-up to
the delivery of your baby
can get very expensive,”
warns Damian McHugh,
executive head of marketing
and distribution at Momentum
Health. You need to take into
consideration that it’s not only the birth
you’ll need to pay for, but also things like gynaevisits and scans, which all add up in the end.
With many medical aids amending their
plans and pricing in September, now is the
perfect opportunity for you to sign
up to a medical aid if you’re
not already a member, or
to scrutinise and review
your existing cover.
Note that you have
to join a medical aid
before you fall pregnant,
or your pregnancy
may not be covered at
all. “You should join a
medical scheme even
before you start planning
to conceive,” says Damian.
“You don’t want to get caught
out and risk a waiting period being
imposed before your cover starts. The
entire pregnancy journey is very expensive.” »for pregnant moms
We look at the maternity benefits of some
of South Africa’s top medical aids.
By Xanet Scheepers and Kathy Malherbe