If you’re looking for the cheapest medical aid, your best option is to join a hospital plan, rather than try and make your budget stretch to a comprehensive medical aid option.

Hospital plans are cheaper because they only cover costs related to in-hospital treatment, including surgery, ward fees or specialist fees. You won’t be covered for day-to-day expenses like GP visits, trips to the physiotherapist, medication or procedures performed outside of a hospital, so you’ll need to fund those costs out of your own pocket when they arise.

If you and your family are relatively healthy and keeping medical aid costs low is a priority for you, then a hospital plan is the cheapest way to go. This type of plan is probably not suitable if you have a chronic condition or illness that needs regular management.

Now that you’ve decided that a hospital plan is the right choice for you, how can you bring medical costs down even further?

Network options

Most medical aid companies use networks of specialists and hospitals that they have chosen for their high standards, and who offer convenient access to their members. Choosing a hospital plan that uses networks brings your medical aid costs down further, as your medical aid company has pre-arranged specific set costs for treatment with them.

Salary-banded cover

There are some medical aid providers who offer affordable cover to those who have never had medical aid before, but who now want an option to protect their families’ health. Your premiums are related to how much you earn, and you can also choose not to pay for certain benefits until you use them.

Co-payments

With some medical aids, you can cut your premiums by 25% every month by choosing to make certain co-payments. You’ll get access to the same benefits, but pay a much lower monthly contribution by choosing to pay a fixed co-payment on any planned hospital procedures. In emergencies, you’ll still be taken to the nearest private hospital.