Why Families Choose Combined Medical Insurance

Ensuring the wellbeing of your family is a top priority for every South African household. A combined medical insurance policy unites the reassurance of hospital cover with everyday healthcare benefits, allowing families to confidently manage both routine needs-like GP visits and medicine-and unexpected medical events. With rising out-of-pocket costs for private healthcare, a single policy that covers more of life’s health moments is often simpler and more cost-effective than keeping separate plans.

How Combined Medical Insurance Works for Households

• Day-to-Day benefits: Access consultations with GPs, receive approved medications, and get basic dental and eye care-essential for children and adults alike.
• Hospital benefits: Protection for costly hospital admissions, surgical procedures, and accident emergencies, reducing the financial burden of unplanned health events.
• Affordability: One monthly premium simplifies family budgeting and helps avoid the risk of gaps in health cover.

Typical Benefits of Combined Policies

Typical Monthly Premiums for Families

Combined plan premiums vary by age and family size. As of 2024, sample premiums from Affinity Health rates:

• Adult (18-54): from R1,336 for combined cover
• Child (under 18, on guardian’s plan): from R624 for combined cover

Family of two adults and two children: estimate between R3,920 to R4,500 per month, depending on choices and excess selected. Visit Affinity Health’s combined plan page for details.

Budget-Friendly Solutions that Balance Everyday and In-Hospital Needs

• Set allowances for consultations and medications reduce routine expenses.
• Major incidents-such as surgeries, child admissions and accidents-are managed through in-hospital benefits.
• Guaranteed access to private providers streamlines care, with options for telephonic support and pre-authorisations for planned hospitalisations.

For more on how day-to-day benefits work, see the Affinity Health day-to-day cover guide.

Choosing Combined Medical Insurance: Steps for South African Families

Selecting the right plan is straightforward with a few practical steps. Here’s a simple approach for families of all sizes:

1. Assess family needs: Record the usual number of GP visits, prescription needs, and any foreseen hospital events per year.
2. Compare plan options: Review combined plan details, paying attention to annual benefit limits and in-hospital coverage specified for dependants.
3. Check provider networks: Use the affiliated provider search tool to confirm accessible facilities and practitioners.
4. Budget for premium and excess: Families finding a balance between monthly price and out-of-pocket excess create more predictable expenses year-round.

Advantages of a Single, Integrated Policy

• Convenience: Streamlined administration and claims for families under one membership number.
• Comprehensive Protection: Reduces the risk of gaps between routine and major-event cover, useful for both young professionals and older dependants.
• Value: Simplifies planning and consistent use of private healthcare across all family members.

Scenario Examples for Families in South Africa

• Young parents combine child immunisations and routine GP visits with peace of mind for potential hospital admissions due to childhood illnesses.
• Multi-generational families (children, adults, grandparents) manage different health needs in one policy, from dental care to hospitalisation after a fall.

Understanding What Is Not Covered

• Highly specialised procedures and certain named exclusions may be outside policy scope-always check the latest documents for any service restrictions.
• There may be waiting periods on some benefits, such as maternity cover for new joiners.
• Chronic medication limits and some advanced dental or optical procedures are often excluded. Read benefit tables carefully on the Affinity Health website.

Making the Best Choice for Your Family’s Health

A combined plan means less time coordinating cover, more time focusing on family health, and a predictable monthly premium. As healthcare costs continue to rise, these solutions can put quality private healthcare within reach for more South Africans.

Sources

• Affinity Health Policy Rates
• Affinity Health - Combined Plan Overview
• Affinity Health - Day-to-Day Benefits
• Statistics South Africa - General Household Survey
• National Department of Health South Africa