Why choose a combined medical insurance plan?

A combined medical insurance plan brings day-to-day care (GP visits, basic dentistry and acute medicines) together with in-hospital protection (admissions, theatre and ward fees and approved in-hospital procedures) in one budget-friendly package. For South African households - from young professionals to families with children and retirees - a combined plan reduces the risk of large, unexpected hospital bills while keeping routine care accessible.

Core benefits to expect

• Day-to-day cover: consultations with approved healthcare practitioners, basic dentistry and network optometry options.
• Hospital cover: in-hospital admissions, theatre and ward fees, approved clinician fees and in-hospital diagnostic procedures.
• Support services: remote consultations for minor concerns and Emergency Medical Response coordination when required.

Who benefits most from a combined plan?

• Young professionals wanting reliable GP access and protection against major bills.
• Families with children who need frequent routine visits and immunisations.
• Retirees seeking dependable in-hospital cover alongside basic outpatient care.

How Affinity Health structures combined plans

Affinity Health offers combined options across core plan groups for different age ranges and needs. For detailed plan descriptions, see the combined plan overview and compare available plan options to match your household composition and monthly budget. Visit the combined plan page for full benefit summaries and the application process: Affinity Health - Combined Plan.

Balancing routine care with in-hospital protection

A combined plan reduces the chance that routine care costs are skipped and ensures protection from major events. Pairing day-to-day benefits with hospital cover is especially useful when managing child healthcare schedules, planned procedures or occupations with higher injury risk. Learn about day-to-day benefit inclusions and typical limits on the day-to-day overview: Affinity Health - Day-to-Day Cover.

Evaluating provider access and convenience

Check how quickly you can see an approved healthcare practitioner for routine issues and how hospital admissions are managed in your area. Use the provider directory to find participating hospitals and outpatient practitioners before you apply: Find a hospital provider.

How to compare combined medical insurance plans

When comparing combined plans, look beyond premiums. Focus on overall value: benefit limits, waiting periods, in-hospital definitions, visit caps for routine services and any co-payments or excess amounts. Consider anticipated annual use of GP visits, dental care and potential surgical needs to choose a plan level that keeps out-of-pocket costs predictable.

Step-by-step selection guide

• Inventory routine needs: estimate GP visits, dental check-ups and eyewear requirements for the household.
• Assess risk exposure: consider planned procedures, age of dependants and occupational risks.
• Compare benefit limits: review in-hospital limits and day-to-day visit caps across plan options.
• Factor in waiting periods and exclusions: understand timelines for maternity or certain procedures.

Practical South African scenarios

• Families with young children often prioritise generous day-to-day benefits and moderate hospital limits to balance routine care and emergency protection.
• Single professionals may select moderate day-to-day access with higher hospital limits if their work involves physical risk.
• Older adults typically prioritise higher in-hospital limits while keeping predictable day-to-day cover for routine management.

What to watch for in plan documents

• Defined lists of included and excluded procedures and the in-hospital definitions used by the plan.
• Visit caps and annual limits on day-to-day benefits, plus the process for authorising in-hospital claims.
• Emergency Medical Response procedures and how remote consultations are offered for minor issues.

Compare plans directly and request a personalised quote for exact pricing and eligibility. To review hospital-focused benefits in more detail, see the hospital plan information: Affinity Health - Hospital Plan. If you want to check whether a specific practitioner or facility works with your chosen plan level, use the non-hospital provider finder: Find a provider.

Next steps

• Gather household ages and routine-care frequency to start a quote.
• Compare two to three plan levels for costs versus expected use.
• Confirm waiting periods for maternity or elective procedures before joining.

Affinity Health’s combined plan options are designed to make private health cover more affordable and accessible across South Africa. Explore plan options, compare inclusions and get a quote to see which combined plan aligns with your household needs.

Sources

• Affinity Health - Combined Plan details
• National Department of Health South Africa - official information
• Statistics South Africa - health indicators