Following on from the budget speech last week, we now know how the government is planning their spending, tax and borrowing over the next three years. We also know that there will be an increase in the personal income tax rate and the fuel levy, meaning that ordinary South African households may have to cut down spending in other areas. If you need help shaving costs when it comes to medical expenses, here’s how you can squeeze even more value out of your Day-to-Day benefits from Fedhealth:
1. Only visit the doctor when you need to. Before going to see your doctor or rushing to the emergency room, get the right advice. The Fedhealth Personal Health Advisor Benefit, offered to all Fedhealth members by Europ Assistance, is available 24/7 on 0860 333 432. Experienced nursing staff will answer your questions about symptoms, medicine, home remedies and nutrition and will also advise on whether or not you should see a doctor.
2. Be candid about costs. Before you go for your consultation, ask your healthcare professional about their fee structure – this will help avoid any nasty surprises. Sometimes healthcare professionals will charge less if you pay them directly after the consultation, and then you claim the costs back from the Scheme yourself. In this case, Fedheath will reimburse you within two weeks of receiving your claim.
3. Use network GPs. If you’re on a comprehensive option and use of one of our currently contracted 4 380 Network GPs, your consultation will be paid directly by the Scheme and won’t be deducted from your Savings. This unique day-to-day benefit is unlimited, meaning that you and your dependents can visit a Network GP as many times as you like, without worrying about it effecting your Savings. Find your nearest Network GP by using the Healthcare Professional Locator, the Fedhealth Mobile Member App or by calling our contact centre on 0860 002 153.
4. Use network Specialists. Fedhealth has negotiated fixed tariffs with over 3 290 Partner Specialists from various disciplines around the country. When using a Fedhealth Partner Specialist your consultation will be covered in full, provided you have available Day-to-Day benefits. It’s therefore very important to ask your GP to refer you to a specialist that’s contracted to the Fedhealth Network. Find a Network Specialist (once you’ve logged into the ‘Members’ section of the site), or call the Fedhealth Customer Contact Centre on 0860 002 153.
5. We pay more from Risk than other schemes, so make sure you’re familiar with the following day-to-day benefits:
o Post-hospitalisation treatment for up to 30 days after discharge from hospital (physiotherapy, X-rays, pathology, etc.)
o 7 days of take-home medication
o Specialised radiology (e.g. MRI and CT scans) is paid for whether you’re admitted to hospital or not
o Trauma treatment at a casualty ward is paid for whether you’re admitted to hospital or not
o Female contraception (oral, patches, certain injectables, IUDs such as Mirena®) are covered on all comprehensive and saver options
o Screening Benefit ensures that screenings for women’s, children’s, and general health (like an annual flu vaccine), and for cardiac are all funded from Risk – not from your Day-to-Day benefits.
It’s up to you to know the ins and outs of your medical aid day-to-day benefits so you can get the most value out of them. This way you’ll protect the health of you and your loved ones, and free up more money to spend on other things.
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
