How gap cover complements your medical aid

With medical inflation rising annually, gap cover has become a cost-effective addition to cushion the shock of doctors charging more than the medical aid rate for in-hospital services.

By Portia Mahlalela, Regional Executive at Alexander Forbes Health

Designed to protect against unexpected medical costs, gap cover is a short-term insurance product which bridges the gap between in-hospital medical bills and what your medical aid pays.

Proving that more people are realising the benefit of gap cover, the number of Alexander Forbes corporate medical aid clients with gap cover increased by 5% between 2017 and 2022.

Starting at just a few hundred rand a month, what makes the gap cover premium cost-effective is the fact that it includes the principal member, their spouse, and children until the age of 21. Some gap cover providers allow child dependants to remain covered until the age of 24 if the child is: • still registered as a dependant on the main member’s medical scheme membership • studying full-time • financially dependent on the main member

How it works

As an example: If you have an in-hospital procedure where the total amount claimed is R9 000, the medical scheme rate pays 100% of the medical aid rate, which is R3 000 in this example. This leaves a R6 000 shortfall, which would be covered by gap cover up to yearly limits. The 2022 annual limit ranges from R175 000 to R178 000 per insured. Like medical aid, gap cover service providers may also impose waiting periods, such as a three-month general waiting period. Claims resulting from accidents may be covered. In addition, pre-existing conditions may have a 12-month waiting period. This is why it is better to be proactive and take out gap cover before something happens.

A healthcare advisor can help you to work out which gap cover policy is best suited for your family’s needs. 

What you DIDN’T EXPECT when you were expecting! What you DIDN’T EXPECT when you were expecting! What you DIDN’T EXPECT when you were expecting!

Constipation is unfortunately very common

during pregnancy.1

If you are wondering why, here are some possible causes1: • In early pregnancy, • In late pregnancy changing pressure from hormone the uterus on the levels slow bowel can make stool down intestinal movement through the movement intestines harder

For chronic constipation in pregnancy, help is at hand with

MOVICOL

MOVICOL is suitable for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding for relief of constipation. MOVICOL works with your body to relieve constipation. MOVICOL contains macrogol and electrolytes for relief without gain or loss of significant amounts of water or electrolytes.*

Constipation is unfortunately very common

during pregnancy.1

If you are wondering why, here are some possible causes1: • In early pregnancy, • In late pregnancy changing • The stack of pressure from hormone iron in most the uterus on the levels slow prenatal bowel can make stool down intestinal vitamins can movement through the movement cause constipation intestines harder

For chronic constipation in pregnancy, help is at hand with

MOVICOL

MOVICOL is suitable for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding for relief of constipation. MOVICOL works with your body to relieve constipation. MOVICOL contains macrogol and electrolytes for relief without gain or loss of significant amounts of water or electrolytes.*

Constipation is unfortunately very common

during pregnancy.1

• The stack of If you are wondering why, here are some possible causes1: iron in most • In early pregnancy, prenatal • In late pregnancy changing vitamins can pressure from hormone cause constipation the uterus on the levels slow bowel can make stool down intestinal movement through the movement intestines harder

For chronic constipation in pregnancy, help is at hand with

MOVICOL

MOVICOL is suitable for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding for relief of constipation. MOVICOL works with your body to relieve constipation. MOVICOL contains macrogol and electrolytes for relief without gain or loss of significant amounts of water or electrolytes.*

• The stack of iron in most prenatal vitamins can cause constipation

References: 1. Galen N. Constipation and pregnancy: What to know. Medical News Today. [updated 2019 February 6; cited 2022 May 07] Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324379 References: 1. Galen N. Constipation and pregnancy: What to know. Medical News Today. [updated 2019 *If patients develop any symptoms indicating shifts of fluid/electrolytes (e.g., oedema, shortness of breath, February 6; cited 2022 May 07] Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324379 *If patients develop any symptoms indicating shifts of fluid/electrolytes (e.g., oedema, shortness of breath, increasing fatigue, dehydration, cardiac failure) MOVICOL should be stopped immediately, and electrolytes measured, and any abnormality should be treated appropriately. increasing fatigue, dehydration, cardiac failure) MOVICOL should be stopped immediately, and electrolytes measured, and any abnormality should be treated appropriately. 2. IMS Data April 2022 References: 1. Galen N. Constipation and pregnancy: What to know. Medical News Today. [updated 2019 February 6; cited 2022 May 07] Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324379 *If patients develop any symptoms indicating shifts of fluid/electrolytes (e.g., oedema, shortness of breath, 2. IMS Data April 2022 increasing fatigue, dehydration, cardiac failure) MOVICOL should be stopped immediately, and electrolytes measured, and any abnormality should be treated appropriately. MOVICOL. Reg. No.: 31/11.5/0123. Each sachet of powder contains 13,125 g macrogol 2. IMS Data April 2022 (PEG) 3350, 178,5 mg sodium bicarbonate, 350,7 mg sodium chloride and 46,6 mg potassium MOVICOL. Reg. No.: 31/11.5/0123. Each sachet of powder contains 13,125 g macrogol chloride. Trademarks are owned by or licensed to the Aspen Group of companies. © 2022 (PEG) 3350, 178,5 mg sodium bicarbonate, 350,7 mg sodium chloride and 46,6 mg potassium Aspen Group of companies or its licensor. All rights reserved. Pharmacare Limited. Co. Reg. chloride. Trademarks are owned by or licensed to the Aspen Group of companies. © 2022 No.:1898/000252/06. Healthcare Park, Woodlands Drive, Woodmead, 2191. MOVICOL. Reg. No.: 31/11.5/0123. Each sachet of powder contains 13,125 g macrogol Aspen Group of companies or its licensor. All rights reserved. Pharmacare Limited. Co. Reg. ZAR-NKN-06-22-00001 07/2022 (PEG) 3350, 178,5 mg sodium bicarbonate, 350,7 mg sodium chloride and 46,6 mg potassium No.:1898/000252/06. Healthcare Park, Woodlands Drive, Woodmead, 2191. chloride. Trademarks are owned by or licensed to the Aspen Group of companies. © 2022 ZAR-NKN-06-22-00001 07/2022 Aspen Group of companies or its licensor. All rights reserved. Pharmacare Limited. Co. Reg. No.:1898/000252/06. Healthcare Park, Woodlands Drive, Woodmead, 2191. ZAR-NKN-06-22-00001 07/2022

SA’s

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