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It works by pooling the money each member pays into one big fund. You then draw from this fund based on your medical expenses and specific benefits of the plan you chose. You pay a monthly premium and, depending on your plan, may also pay a portion of your medical costs from a medical savings account or out of pocket.

It depends on what you're after - broad cover can cost quite a bit, while more basic options are easier on the wallet. Prices can range from a few hundred to several thousand Rand per month.

Medical aid helps you pay for your doctor visits, hospital stays, and medicines. It covers various health needs and is regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes to make sure it offers certain basic benefits to everyone.

Gap cover is an extra insurance you get on top of your medical aid. It helps pay the difference if your doctor or hospital charges more than what your medical aid covers. It's not stand-alone insurance and works with your medical aid to help you avoid paying a lot out of your own pocket for medical services.

When it comes to picking the best healthcare option for the family, think about what your family is like. Are you frequently at the doctor's office, or is it mostly just for the annual check-up and the odd emergency? If you’re leaning towards comprehensive coverage, comparing medical aid schemes is your starting point.

Medical cover providers can provide the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re covered for both the big scares and the small annoyances. If hospital stays are your main concern and you're looking to keep costs down, a hospital plan might be the way to go. It covers the big-ticket items without the extras. Essentially, compare healthcare options with your family’s needs and finances in mind to make the best choice.

Many parents of teens or tweens know the true price of crooked teeth. Most medical aid plans include orthodontic treatment in their benefits, but they often have specific requirements or limits. Some might cover the full cost, while others only provide partial coverage or require you to meet certain criteria.

Understand your medical aid's dental offerings

Laser eye surgery can be life-changing for those who wear glasses or contact lenses. It’s quick, relatively painless and comes with a limited potential for side effects—but it's not cheap. Many medical aid plans do cover laser eye surgery, but the level of coverage can vary. Some plans might cover the full cost, while others might only cover a portion or require you to pay a co-payment.

Find out more about medical aid and laser eye surgery here

Are visits to a psychologist covered if you're on a medical aid? And which mental health services are available if you're not? Many South African medical aid plans do cover psychologist services, but the extent of the coverage can differ between plans. Some might cover a set number of sessions per year or reimburse a portion of the costs.

Here's what you need to know

Macromastia is a medical condition that affects women both physically and mentally. Yet most of the time, medical aids still consider breast reduction for this condition as cosmetic surgery. Some medical aids will consider a medical motivation from a specialist, but there are no standard protocols to guide a medical aid's decision.

Find out more here

With the risk of cancer in South Africa increasing at an alarming rate, regular check-ups are super important to catch disease early and possibly prevent it. Medical aids try to encourage members to go for preventative screenings. This includes blood pressure tests, bone density scans, pap smears and mammograms. Most plans will pay for these without coming out of your savings account.

Get more information on mammograms and pap smears