When to take a test and when will it get covered? You’re covered for 2 COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) screening tests every calendar year (1 January to 31 December), regardless of the outcome of the test. Medical Aid will pay for COVID-19 diagnostic tests, provided that the member who took the test:
Will you have to pay upfront and submit a claim for it to be paid from this benefit? This depends on the payment arrangements your medical aid have with your healthcare provider. If your healthcare provider submits a claim on your behalf, your medical aid will reimburse them directly subject to meeting the clinical entry criteria of the benefit. If your doctor requires you to pay upfront, you can submit your claim to your medical aid. What does it mean if I test positive for the PCR test? A positive PCR result confirms that you are infected and that you can spread it to others. You would need to contact your doctor to discuss the implications of this finding and the next steps to take, whether this be to self-isolate at home and/or on your planned hospital admission. If I test Positive, how do I self-isolate and for how long do I self-isolate? If you are infected and are asymptomatic i.e. you show no symptoms, you must stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days from the date of your positive test. In case of severe respiratory illness or severe shortness of breath you need to immediately consult with your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency unit. In case of severe disease, you will probably be hospitalised, and you would need to continue to self-isolate for 10 days after clinical stability is achieved. If I test positive for Antibody test, will I have immunity to COVID-19 infections in the future? As COVID-19 is a new virus, we cannot tell for sure how long antibodies will last or how well they can protect against future infections. Even though it is believed that a person will have some level of immunity after infection, which is the scientific principle that the development of a vaccine is based on. However, all individuals should still adhere to recommendations by the department of health on social distancing, hygiene, and personal protection, regardless of their antibody test result. How am I covered for COVID-19? This benefit, available on all plans, is covered by the scheme for cases of outbreak diseases and out of hospital healthcare services related to COVID-19. These healthcare services are covered up to maximum of 100% of your chosen medical scheme’s rate in accordance with Prescribed minimum benefits where applicable. Am I covered if I am in a waiting period? The scheme resolved to change its’ approach to underwriting for the duration of the outbreak, specifically with regards to cover for COVID-19. Members that are diagnosed with COVID-19 after joining will have access to the benefit, even if they are subject to a waiting period at the time of being diagnosed with COVID-19. Members that are diagnosed with COVID-19 before joining the scheme will not have access to the benefit and will be subject to waiting period to protect the scheme and its members against anti-selection. Emergency care – When should I call 911 or go to the emergency department? Call ER24 on 084124 if you are experiencing potentially life-threatening symptoms. These are some of the symptoms for which you should immediately call ER24;
What if I’m afraid to go to the emergency department? We understand those fears, but emergency department staff members wear personal protective equipment, and all places are fully cleaned and disinfected. Please note, that waiting too long to seek care for some health care emergencies is a bigger risk than the chance of contracting COVID-19. How do I know I won’t get COVID-19 in the emergency department? Depending on the urgency of the patient’s medical needs, everyone entering the emergency department is immediately screened for symptoms of COVID-19. How do I know I won’t contract COVID-19 if I need to stay in the hospital for treatment?
All labour and delivery patients – How are women protected whom come in for labour and delivery? In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of all patients and staff members, testing for COVID-19 and taking precautions for each woman who is admitted to labour and delivery for delivery. The care team will follow special infection prevention procedures and wear proper personal protective equipment. Depending on the woman’s COVID-19 test results, she may be cared for in a special room and according to COVID-19 guidance for deliveries. What to expect when you go to the hospital During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have extra measures in place to prevent the spread.
Registration for COVID-19 Vaccine Acting health minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane has announced a major boost to South Africa’s Covid-19 vaccination plans, with vaccines now being made available to more age groups and on weekends. Kubayi-Ngubane said that the government had also agreed to open vaccine registrations to people in the 35 – 49 age group.
All staff will be vaccinated, even if you’re not part of Discovery health, if they are part of company staff list, then they are eligible to receive vaccination. Should you be interested, please contact us and we will assist to communicate with Discovery to action Discovery Vaccination programme for employers.
Vaccination during riots and civil unrest period Please note that some of the vaccination sites that are affected are temporarily closed due to looting, riots and civil unrest. The vaccination rollout will be delayed but still encourage all clients to please use their digital form to register and make appointments. Those that missed their appointment due to recent looting will be rescheduled. If you have any other queries please contact our Health department, email service@daberistic.com, Tel 011-6581333, Option 2 for Medical Aid.
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“Our Pandemic Shield policy is the first of its kind on the African continent, providing an affordable solution that pays out a lump sum stated benefit if the policyholder is hospitalised as a result of being positively diagnosed with COVID-19 – or any other World Health Organisation declared pandemic illness in the future. The benefit trigger is a hospital admission longer than 48 hours,” adds Martin. Who is Pandemic shield for? Anyone can apply. There are no medicals, and no person will be excluded. Why emplyees need Pandemic Shield Cover? Employees get a lump sum benefit and daily cash amounts if they are hospitalised because of any disease or health event declared as pandemic by World Health Organisation (WHO) What about COVID-19? Any hopitalisation longer than 48 hours, as a result of COVID-19, or SARS-CoV-2 is covered as long as you have been tested positive. Vaccinate your employees' financial wellbeing against COVID-19
*No initial waiting period will be applied but subseqient claims will be subjected to a 21 day waiting period after discharge. *Compulsory groups on Gold and Diamond larger than 50 employees will receive a discount. *Premium and benefits are not gauranteed for the duration of cover and may be reviewed from time to time based on risk factors. *This is not a medical scheme and the cover is not the same as that of a medical scheme. *This policy is not a substitute for medical scheme membership. To speak to a Medical Aid Consultant, please email service@daberistic.com,
Tel 011-6581333, Option 2 for Medical Aid.
3. Good nutrition isn't all about what you don't eat, it's often just as important to add in more nourishing nutrients. This ensures you get enough vitamins and minerals.
Try slicing up raw veggies and keeping them bagged in the fridge as snacks, far easier to grab when they're already bite sized. 4. Another simple, festive trick to up your fruit and Veggie intake. Eat as much of the rainbow as you can. At each meal, see if you can introduce one more colour to your main or side dish. 5. Some call them nature's candy - for good reason. Fruits make excellent desserts, and they are also a key part of a healthy diet, filled with disease-fighting nutrients. 6. Skipping breakfast will likely make you hungrier later in the day, and more prone to overeating unhealthy foods. Morning meal represents a prime opportunity to boost your diet with produce. 7. A good night's rest can also go a long way in keeping you on track. When you are sleep deprived, you are more likely to eat mindlessly and crave high-fat, high-sugar foods. 8. Walking is a good way to fit more activity into your day. Breathing fresh air and seeing different scenery is good for metal health and depression. Getting your blood circulating will assist in reducing your risk for chronic health conditions. Please be reminded that Medical aid upgrades for 2021 will end soon, please make sure you have submitted your change by 30 November. For clients on Discovery KeyCare plan, Momentum Ingwe plan, Bonitas Boncap plan and have been selected to do income verification, please make sure all required documents are submitted to prevent your service provider resulting to default to the highest income band and therefore the highest contribution will apply.
Please note: Members joining Momentum health Ingwe option with effect 01 October 2020 onwards will not be required to submit information for income verification (declaration and proof of income). They will remain on their current income bracket moving into 2021 and the new premium will automatically be applicable from 01 January 2021. For more information on medical aid plans, please see below videos, brochures and links to assist you with change of option decision. Discovery Plan series and videos
Below are Discovery Health Plan Guides Brochures for 2021
To help you stay healthy and informed on the COVID-19 situation, Discovery will continue to provide the most up-to-date information and guidance through COVID-19 Information Hub Below are Momentum Health Plan Guides Brochures for 2021 Below are Bonitas Plan Guides Brochures for 2021 Sirago is one of the leading medical gap cover providers in South Africa. If you have medical aid, then Sirago gap cover is an essential supplement to your medical aid, to cover payment shortfalls. Sirago offers some of the premium, benefit-rich products. Overall, the premium increase will be 8.6%. It has some great updates and additions in 2021. These are:
Continuing with their focus on specific niche markets, they will be launching the following products:
2021 Sirago Gap Cover Premium Momentum Medical Scheme focuses more than ever on keeping benefit design stable and ensuring that their members continue to enjoy comprehensive and affordable benefits. The 3rd largest open medical aid scheme in South Africa, Momentum Medical Scheme has announced an average annual contribution increase of 3.9% for 2021. This is substantially lower that the weighted average annual contribution increase of 8.2% for 2020.
If you have any queries or are interested in joining Momentum Medical Scheme, please contact us on 011-658-1333, 076-200-5488 or email service@daberistic.com. Discovery Health has launched a new Covid-19 Benefit across its plans. It is called World Health Organization Global Outbreak Benefit. Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) is taking proactive steps to make sure its members who need it have the necessary cover for COVID-19. Overview From time to time, there are viruses or diseases that affect world health. These outbreaks are closely monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and are, depending on the severity and spread, declared as epidemics that place the global population's health at risk. We recognise the importance of being prepared for these public health emergencies. Through careful benefit design and in support of public health initiatives aimed at containing and mitigating the spread of such outbreak diseases, our members now have access to supportive benefits during the outbreak period. The outbreak is actively monitored by a dedicated team within Discovery Health that closely assesses the evolution and progression of such outbreaks. Having a timely and effective response to global epidemics help to improve the health outcomes for our members. This document explains the cover and support we provide to you when faced with a WHO-recognised epidemic. WHO Global Outbreak Benefit The WHO Global Outbreak Benefit is available to all members of Discovery Health Medical Scheme during a declared outbreak period. This benefit ensures members with a confirmed diagnosis have access to the out-of-hospital management and appropriate supportive treatment as long as they meet the Scheme's Benefit entry criteria. The WHO Global Outbreak Benefit provides cover for a defined basket of healthcare services related to any outbreak disease. How you are covered from the WHO Global Outbreak Benefit When you are covered? The WHO Global Outbreak Benefit is available for the WHO-recognised outbreak period. All healthcare services covered by this benefit are available for confirmed outbreak diseases, as confirmed by a test and subject to the Scheme's benefit entry criteria. This benefit, available on all plans, is covered by the Scheme for confirmed cases of outbreak diseases and does not affect your day-to-day benefits, where applicable. What you are covered for? Cover includes access to a defined basket of care that includes: • The diagnostic tests • Consultations (which can also include video call consultations) • Defined supportive medicine list. Use of the relevant networks as per chosen health plan will apply for healthcare services paid from the WHO Global Outbreak Benefit. More information is available in the following two documents: Guide to Global Emergency Benefit Frequently Asked Questions |
AuthorKevin Yeh Archives
January 2025
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