Group Combination Health Plan for Employees: Practical Protection for Your Workforce

A combination health plan for employees brings routine care (GP visits, basic dentistry, acute medicines) together with in-hospital protection for surgical procedures and admissions. Affinity Health’s Group Cover is designed specifically for employers and organisations that want clear, affordable medical insurance solutions for their staff while keeping administration straightforward and predictable.

Why employers choose a group combination health plan

• Cost control: predictable monthly contributions that simplify payroll budgeting and benefits planning.
• Workforce wellbeing: easier access to routine care and in-hospital protection reduces absenteeism and supports employee retention.
• Simple enrolment: group-focused processes that reduce administration for HR teams.

Key Group Cover features

• Combination cover: Day-to-day care plus hospital benefits in one group plan, removing the need for separate policies.
• Plan options for different staff segments: choose combination plans suited to diverse workforce needs while keeping overall costs manageable.
• Access to approved providers: use our provider search to locate private hospitals and clinicians across South Africa for covered services.

Affinity Health’s Group Cover is available only to groups and is structured to support working-age adults, making it ideal for businesses, associations and other employer groups. Learn more about our group-focused solutions on the Group Cover page: Affinity Health - Group Cover.

Typical benefits included in a combination health plan for employees

• Day-to-day: GP consultations, basic dental treatments, optometry network access and acute medicines subject to plan limits.
• Hospital: In-hospital admissions, theatre and ward fees, approved clinician fees and in-hospital diagnostics and procedures.
• Support services: remote consultations with clinicians, emergency medical response coordination and claims assistance.

How a group plan complements workplace benefits

Offering a combination health plan for employees demonstrates a commitment to staff wellbeing. It supports early care-seeking for minor conditions, helps manage the financial impact of in-hospital events, and creates a cohesive benefits package that can be communicated clearly to employees. For details on the combined structure used in retail combined plans (which informs group design), see: Affinity Health - Combined Plan.

Designing and implementing a combination health plan for employees

Implementing a group combination plan involves plan selection, employee communication and enrolment. Affinity Health supports employers with straightforward setup and ongoing administration so your HR team can focus on engagement rather than complexity.

Step-by-step rollout for employers

1. Assess workforce needs: review employee ages, typical healthcare usage and any industry-specific risks.
2. Choose plan options: select combination plans that balance day-to-day benefits with adequate in-hospital protection for staff profiles.
3. Communicate clearly: share benefit summaries, claim procedures and the provider search tool with employees.
4. Enrol and manage: use group enrolment processes and set up payroll contributions and reporting routines.

Practical considerations for cost and operations

• Contribution structure: employers can choose all-employer contributions, co-contributions, or employee-paid contributions depending on budgets and policy design.
• Waiting periods and eligibility: check plan terms for waiting periods on selected benefits and for pre-existing conditions.
• Provider access: employees can find in-hospital providers and participating clinicians using the provider search: Find a Hospital Provider.

Sample group use cases (South Africa context)

• Small enterprises: provide core combination cover to attract skilled staff while keeping monthly contributions manageable.
• Larger employers: offer multiple plan options across employee categories to meet varying needs across age groups and job roles.
• Remote or regional teams: ensure access to private hospitals and clinicians through the provider network to reduce downtime from health events.

Next steps for employers

If you are considering a combination health plan for employees, request a group quote and compare plan options to find the right balance of routine benefits and in-hospital protection. Start on Affinity Health’s homepage or view our group information: Affinity Health - Homepage.

Sources

• Affinity Health - Group Cover
• National Department of Health South Africa - Department overview
• Statistics South Africa - Health and labour statistics
• World Health Organization - South Africa country profile