Navigating Health Cover for Maternity Scans

Maternity scans, such as ultrasounds and prenatal imaging, are crucial milestones in pregnancy-providing reassurance for expectant mothers and insights for healthcare practitioners. In South Africa, understanding how health insurance addresses these services helps families and individuals plan ahead and avoid unexpected costs. Maternity scans are medical imaging procedures, typically including several ultrasound scans, that monitor foetal growth, detect potential complications, and confirm pregnancy milestones.

Key Types of Maternity Scans

• Early-pregnancy (dating) scan: Determines due date and confirms heartbeat.
• Anomaly scan (mid-trimester): Checks foetal organs and identifies developmental issues.
• Growth scans (third trimester): Assess baby’s position and growth.

These scans are typically performed by sonographers, radiologists or obstetricians. Coverage, costs, and access can significantly impact how often and when families schedule these scans.

Why Health Insurance for Maternity Makes Sense

• Covers potential high costs of scans and related consultations.
• Improves access to private facilities for timely appointments.
• Supports peace of mind-no need to delay crucial tests due to out-of-pocket fees.

Popular Health Cover Approaches in South Africa

• Hospital plans: Typically cover scans required during an authorised hospital admission or childbirth event.
• Combined plans: May offer additional out-of-hospital benefits, providing more routine scan coverage and consultation fee assistance.
• Day-to-day plans: Generally focus on outpatient GP visits, minor procedures, and limited pathology, but may not include dedicated antenatal scans unless specified.

To compare inclusions, visit the Combined Plan options or review specific plan outlines in the policy rates guide.

Understanding Costs and Coverage Levels

The cost of maternity scans in private healthcare can vary, often ranging from R400 to R1,300 per scan depending on the facility, complexity, and location. Without insurance, these amounts accumulate quickly. Selecting a health plan that covers in-hospital scans, or offers reimbursement for specified antenatal imaging, can protect households from these cumulative costs.

Premium Examples

• Adults (18-54): Hospital plan from around R1,320 monthly.
• Combined plan (18-54): Starting at approximately R1,835 per month.

Find the full range of plan premiums on the policy rates page.

Making the Most of Your Health Cover

1. Review plan documents for clear listings of covered maternity procedures.
2. Schedule scans at approved facilities to ensure maximum reimbursement.
3. Consult with your healthcare practitioner when referrals or pre-authorisation are required, particularly for planned hospital admissions related to pregnancy.

Tips for South African Households

• Compare hospital plans for childbirth and emergencies to understand which scenarios qualify for scan benefits.
• Explore child-specific cover for ongoing newborn and paediatric needs after birth.
• Use the find a hospital provider tool to locate facilities offering maternity services near you.

Sources

• Affinity Health - Hospital Plan for South Africa
• Affinity Health - Combined Plan Details
• Affinity Health - Latest Plan Premiums
• NICD - Pregnancy Health and Maternal Mortality
• National Department of Health - Maternity Services