Plan Changes

With 2017 drawing to a close, I’m sure like most, you’re already imagining yourself on that beach holiday, frozen margarita in hand while you work on that glorious tan and the kids frolic in the waves. Before you grab your flip flops and tanning oil, there’s one more detail to focus on- your medical aid arrangements for 2018.

Here are a few things to consider when you choose your Plan for 2018:

• Affordability. Assess your budget for 2018 and take into consideration what you can afford to pay every month towards medical aid. Bankmed offers members on specific Plans, a Medical Savings Account. This can be very handy for those day-to-day doctors’ visits, trips to the dentist, medication or optometrist bills.
• Yours and your family’s health needs. Take time to evaluate the status of your health and that of your family’s. Also consider family health history and personal health history before deciding. This will help you choose a Plan that will provide sufficient cover for your medical needs. Study the benefits in line with how likely you are to use them and compare the various Plans that Bankmed offers. Don’t choose a Plan purely on the cost, but rather on your medical needs.
• Choice of medical providers. When choosing your Plan for 2018, consider how comfortable you are being restricted to a specific hospital network or service provider.
• On Chronic medication? This is an important factor to consider when choosing a medical aid Plan. Bankmed offers cover for chronic medication, but it is vital to make sure you choose a Plan specific to this.
• Can I get assistance choosing a Plan? Members can contact Bankmed via our contact centre- 0800 Bankmed (0800 226 5633) for information or attend one of our year-end presentation roadshows at your employer. These presentations will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed medical aid choice for 2018.
• The deadline. Lastly don’t forget the deadline for Plan changes is 1 December 2017. We encourage you to take the time to understand your benefits before you make your selection for 2018, as you cannot change Plans during the course of the year.

Having your family’s medical needs and expenses planned for 2018 will give you the much-needed peace of mind to really unwind this December.