LA KeyPlus: Visiting the casualty unit

Visiting the casualty unit is not the same as visiting your GP. The casualty unit of a hospital is meant to provide immediate treatment for serious medical situations such as a baby having a high fever, stitches, possible broken bones, or severe illness.

If you can safely wait until the next day to see a doctor, you should visit a GP rather than the casualty unit.

Go to your closest hospital in a medical emergency

A medical emergency is if someone has a health condition that needs to be treated immediately to prevent permanent injury or even death. Examples of medical emergencies are heart attack, stroke or being injured in a car accident, these are usually followed by admission into hospital.

In a medical emergency, go straight to the nearest hospital. You do not need authorisation and you do not have to find a KeyCare network hospital.

Going to the casualty unit

If you decide the situation is serious enough to visit casualties, you must go to the casualty unit of a KeyCare network hospital. You can find a network hospital through www.lahealth.co.za or the Discovery app. When you leave for the hospital, take your ID book, smart ID, or driving licence and your LA Health membership card with you.

Once you arrive at a KeyCare hospital’s casualty unit, ask the casualty officer to call us to get authorisation before you or your dependant sees a doctor. The casualty officer will ask for proof of identity and your membership card. Once we give authorisation, you have to pay the casualty unit R325.

After that, you only need to follow the casualty officer and doctor’s instructions and focus on getting better. You will usually be sent home following your casualty visit.

For members on the LA Active, LA Focus, LA Comprehensive, LA Core Benefit Options, if you are admitted to hospital following a casualty visit, this will be paid from your Major Medical Benefit. If you are not admitted following a casualty visit, the casualty visit will be paid from your Medical Savings Account.