Why employers choose an affordable combination health plan for employees

An affordable combination health plan for employees brings together day-to-day benefits (GP visits, basic dentistry and optical access) with hospital cover (admissions, theatre and approved specialist fees). For businesses and HR teams seeking straightforward, reliable Health Insurance for staff, a combined approach reduces administrative complexity and helps protect employees from large medical bills while supporting everyday health needs.

Core advantages for employers and employees

• Predictable monthly contributions that support budgeting and retention.
• Broader employee support: routine care keeps staff healthy while hospital protection covers major events.
• Access to a nation-wide provider network for faster private care and telehealth support.

Typical benefit components included

• Day-to-day: GP consultations, basic dentistry, optometry network access and acute medicines.
• Hospital: In-hospital admissions, theatre and ward fees, approved specialists and in-hospital diagnostics.
• Support services: Telehealth consultations and Emergency Medical Response.

How a combined plan compares at a glance

Designing a cost-effective employee plan

• Match day-to-day limits to workforce usage patterns (e.g., high GP usage in welding or manual labour teams).
• Choose hospital benefit limits that reflect occupational risk and the local availability of services.
• Use telehealth and network providers to reduce disruption and manage routine care efficiently.

Most employers select a single core combined product for all staff groups. This approach keeps baseline contributions affordable and ensures consistent cover across the workforce, without any plan adjustments or optional upgrades.

Implementing an affordable combination health plan for employees

Rolling out a combined plan across your workplace requires clear steps: define who will be covered, decide employer versus employee contribution splits, and set simple administration rules for enrolment.

Provider network and access

Access to private GPs, dentists and hospitals matters for timely care. Use the provider directories to confirm local access for your team: Find a Hospital Provider and our non-hospital provider search at Find a Provider.

Cost management and employer budgeting

• Encourage telehealth use for minor issues to reduce absence and lower cost exposure.

South African workplace scenarios

• Small businesses: A core combined plan helps retain staff by offering private care access without high monthly costs.
• Medium employers: Provide the same unified benefits to all staff - office and field workers alike - ensuring consistent cover across the organisation.
• Large employers: Make use of detailed reporting insights to support wellness initiatives and monitor absenteeism.

When you are ready to compare plans, Affinity Health’s group specialists can provide options and timelines for implementation. Start the comparison and enrolment process by reviewing our Group Schemes web page.

Sources

• Affinity Health - Group Cover
• National Department of Health - South Africa
• Statistics South Africa - Health Indicators