In the past I always viewed private medical covering doctors, dentists and optometrists visits plus any medicines required from the chemist. That thought has changed as literally what used to last 10 or 11 months each year lasts only into mid February.
This week granny had to see the dentist regarding a bridge and two crowns and the quote is rather high yet you have no choice, but to give the go ahead. The medical aid funds which would normally help pay for this are non existent. Not many people have $2K kicking around so we are very fortunate we are in a financial position to just go ahead. I do feel for the people that don't and this must affect their quality of life regarding your health choices.
20 years ago you would have had no worries as this would have been all covered and things changed about 10 years ago. The medical cover used to last us till around October each year and now we are lucky if we see cover through to the end of February. Health care costs have sky rocketed and so has private medical membership and what is being covered just does not seem worth it yet it is vitally important to have this today.
The cover I don't see it for your basics like medicines, but more important issues that may arise that you know will cover for hospital visits. This for me is where the true value lies and I am not concerned having to pay for optometrists or dentists. Last week was another $200 for my grand sons glasses which you would have expected to be covered, but wasn't. Every member used to get x amount per category and now it seems like it is one lump sum and not such a big lump sum either.
This morning I visited the chiropractor for my 6 monthly service of clicking my back into place. The service normally tends to be multiple visits yet this morning both sides clicked back in which is very rare in my case and you feel 30 years younger. This used to be covered by medical aid and also has fallen by the wayside. I know if I did not do this type of reset regularly I would have bigger issues costing far more so it is a must do exercise. The last time I felt this good was around 5 years ago and it is a definite mood changer.
We could go on the upper tier for medical aid cover , but you would ask what is the point as the costs would be double and at some point you would wonder what is the point as everything gets diluted. What may look a great deal this year may not be so great in 2 years time and each service provider offering private medical has their upsides and down sides.
Like I said the peace of mind is knowing when someone desperately needs specialist or hospital treatment the cover will be there and the mundane prescriptions from the chemist not being covered does not seem that important anymore.