Johannesburg — A quiet rush for gap-cover insurance is exposing how often South African medical-aid plans leave families to settle large hospital bills themselves, industry figures show.
Specialist fees for cardiac surgery, cancer care and other high — cost procedures can exceed the amounts refunded by schemes by “tens of thousands of rand”, according to local reports, prompting many households to buy separate gap-cover policies that reimburse part or all of the balance for a modest monthly premium.
Official data indicate the products are spreading fastest among middle — income earners—those who earn too much for free state care but not enough to absorb private shortfalls—lifting penetration to about one in every four medical-aid members, double the share recorded five years ago.
The government said last year it was reviewing whether to tighten regulation of gap — cover insurers, but has given no timetable; further details were not immediately available.
Source: iol
