Medical Aids vs Medical Insurance

The major difference between a Medical Insurance (MI) product and a medical aid, like a Discovery plan, is that you have NO cover for elective procedures. MI does not cover you for in-hospital, planned procedures that you know about or that come about after you are on these schemes (elective).

If you need cover for this type of event (including pregnancy or operations on old injuries etc…) then you would need to have a medical aid. If you are only looking for emergency and accident base cover then a hospital insurance product will work.

Once again let me reiterate the facts of this cover. If an illness or injury occurs and it is accident or emergency related, you will be treated in a private facility (limits apply). If, thereafter, this injury or illness requires long-term care in hospital or this is due to something that is not accident or emergency related, then you will be transferred to a public health facility for care.