Why do I need to be part of a medical scheme?

If you’re healthy and haven’t needed medicine or a doctor in a while, it’s easy to start wondering why you have to belong to a medical scheme. Your monthly contribution does more than let you see a GP, get prescription medicine and have your eyes tested. Belonging to a medical scheme protects your health and your finances if you’re in an accident or become seriously ill.

Surgery and hospital stays are expensive

If you do not belong to a medical scheme, going to hospital can cause serious financial difficulties. This is because you need to pay for the bed, food and nurses to check on you – and all of this without the cost of treatment and the doctors’ fees.

Hospital stays can occur at any age. The most expensive hospital stay we paid for in 2019 was just under R4 million and this related only to the hospital account of the patient who is not even 10 years old.

As a member, you always have cover for private hospital care in a medical emergency. You can find out how we will pay for planned hospital stays by contacting us for pre-authorisation.

You’re less likely to become seriously ill

As a member of a medical scheme, you can make an appointment to see a GP instead of waiting in line at a clinic. This means you don’t have to wait until you’re seriously ill before you see a doctor and start treatment.

For example, if you have a chest infection, you go to the doctor. The doctor will give you the necessary medication and your health will improve, because you have visited the doctor early for the right medical treatment. If you need antibiotics and don’t get the required medication, you could end up in hospital with a serious inflection.

What TFG Medical Aid Scheme does for you

By law, all medical schemes must pay for a minimum level of treatment for certain conditions (called Prescribed Minimum Benefits). If you choose the cheapest plan from a medical scheme anyone can join (an open medical scheme), you only have the minimum benefits.

We offer our members much more. Since only TFG employees are members, we the kind of healthcare cover you need. We designed our Benefit Plans according to our members needs in that all our members can visit a GP and specialists should they need to.

Call us today on 0860 123 077 to ensure that all your beneficiaries are covered for unexpected medical costs and expenses.