Home: bestmedicalaid.co.zaRetirees and those over 60 can join medical aid schemes as there is no maximum age limits, however, late joiner penalties and waiting periods may apply.

Pensioners do need much more affordable medical aid plans because they have limited budgets and higher healthcare needs.
Plans must include hospital cover, chronic illness treatments, and day-to-day benefits like GP visits and prescribed medicines.

You must consult experts like bestmedicalaid.co.za to find cost-effective plans to suit your needs.

We also help with seamless plan changes upon retirement, avoiding waiting periods.

All of this, including plan reviews and administrative help at no extra cost.

We work with plans from major schemes like Discovery, Fedhealth, Momentum, Bonitas, and Medshield.

Why Pensioners Need Medical Aid

The older we get, the higher the chance of suffering from a costly illness and with South Africa's poor government healthcare system and that is a danger for you if you have to rely on state healthcare.

Joining a medical aid then becomes really important.

With over 18 schemes to choose from, how do you choose a good Pensioner Medical Aid | A Guide for Retirees and over 60 years of Age?
One that is affordable, but with reasonable benefits?

If you are a pensioner, retiree, or over 60, joining medical aid is easy as there is no maximum age limit when joining a scheme.

But, high medical aid premiums are a problem with a very limited budget.
Luckily, there are cheaper plans made just for retirees and it is important for you to carefully investigate these plans before you join one.

And that is what we can do for you.

The internet will overload you with information and you will become confused.
That's why you should talk to us for expert guidance.

We can help you understand your choices better and find a plan that works for you and your budget.

How Retirement can Change Your Medical Aid

Retirement may change or end your employer medical aid subsidy, so you need to discuss your options with your employer HR before you retire.
You may be able to negotiate for some or all of your medical aid premium to continue being paid.

If you can, it is be best to stay with that plan. If you cannot, then you may need to find another, more affordable plan within that medical scheme.

Lastly, you may have to investigate joining on your own plan and you need a seamless move, because a switch of plan as a result of retirement, waives any waiting periods.

Don't Wait before Joining a New Plan.

Here are some reasons not to wait before joining a new plan:

1. Late Joiner Penalties
If you're over 35, you will be subjected to a late joiner penalty. It is based on how old you are when you join and how many years of past of medical aid membership you have.

You need to prove certain years of South African medical aid membership since age 35. If you do not have sufficient time, a monthly penalty will be added to your premium. You'll have to pay it every month for the rest of your life.

We can confirm if you will be subject to this penalty.

2. Waiting periods
These may apply when joining a new medical aid scheme and you might have to wait a while before your new medical aid benefits begin.

A general waiting period of 3-months could be imposed if you wait longer than 90-days between leaving your previous medical aid and joining a new one.

There is the possibility of a 12-month waiting period in the case of specific medical conditions that you had before joining.

3. Chronic illness
As we age, so the likelihood of long-term health conditions increases.
The costs of treating these illnesses is high, so you need to identify chronic illness early.
This will greatly improve your recovery.

A medical aid will help to pay for diagnostic tests and preventative medicines and the sooner you join one - the better your outcome will be.

We can very quickly give you answers to any concerns you may have. Ask us.

If you do not agree with what the medical aid offers you, you don't have to join, just say no.

Be Aware of the Health Risks You Face

Unfortunately, ageing brings added health risks.

The risk of being hospitalised increases and you need, at least, a private hospital plan that includes chronic illnesses benefits.

You can always self-pay or things like doctor consultations, glasses, or buying medicine.

An in-hospital only benefit plan costs less than a comprehensive medical aid and is the foundation of any medical aid plan.

Choosing the right plan is really important.

Look for one that guarantees admission to private hospital with no admission co-payment.
It must offer:

• Life-threatening (accident, stroke, heart attack, etc.) and life-sustaining (cancer, kidney, etc.) treatment.
• Casualty treatment.
• Specialists consultations and diagnostic tests.
• In and out-of-hospital radiology and pathology.
• Diagnostic scopes - gastroscopy, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and proctoscopy.
• Chronic medicines you may be prescribed.
• Mental health – so important in these uncertain times.
• Day surgery procedures and treatments like biopsies, eye, ear, nose and throat procedures.

There are hospital plans that offer several benefits even if you're not hospitalised, and Fedhealth is one of those plans.

flexiFED is a hospital plan that has the safety net of a day-to-day savings fund.

And you only repay what you use from that savings fund, when you spend it.
This is a unique benefit, not offered by any other scheme.

If you do not really need day-to-day savings, but still want to have funds for unforeseen, out-of-hospital costs - that you control - then this is your plan!

However, if you do need day-to-day (out-of-hospital) benefits, consider a low-cost network provider type plan.

The premiums are based upon your level of income and can be under R 1,000 per month.
Please note that the benefits can be restrictive because you have to use listed doctors and hospitals and they may not be convenient.

They do offer affordable, life threatening (heart attack, stroke, accident) and life sustaining (chronic illness like cancer, kidney) cover in a private hospital and with private providers.

Some plans will give you a discount your premium if you use certain doctors and hospitals.

Depending upon who you use for treatments and chronic medications, so the premiums are reduced.

We can help you with medical aid plans from:

Discovery Health
Fedhealth
Momentum Health
Bonitas
Compcare
Medshield
Genesis

Contact me. I have been a professional medical aid broker for more than 30 years.

I know the difficulty of understanding the "small print" around medical aids and can help you find a plan that will make sense to you and that will meet your needs and wants. I will confirm everything with the scheme you choose to join - quickly!

We promote more than 5 medical schemes.
We can also help with your current medical aid.
By authorising us to deal with your medical plan, at no added cost, we can help you with any concerns you may have.

From benefit queries, administrative problems and annual plan reviews.

Talk to me .... I am here to help you - at no charge!
Send me your questions and concerns. I'll answer them for you.