International Travel Benefit (ITB)

​International travel benefits on medical aid typically provide coverage for medical emergencies that occur while traveling outside your home country. These benefits are an add-on to your regular medical aid plan and are designed to give you peace of mind when traveling abroad. Here's what they generally cover (According to the terms and conditions of your  medical scheme and option):

1. Emergency medical and related expenses.
2. Hospitalisation: outpatient and in-patient.
3. Emergency optical and dental expenses
4. Medical repatriation, evacuation, and transportation

Typical things that are not covered (excluded): 

• Outpatient treatment relating to pre-existing medical conditions.
• Travelling on a one-way airline ticket.
• Cover for winter sports, adventure, and/or hazardous activities.
• Cover not activated before you leave South Africa.
• A child born whilst on the journey.
• Treatment that the medical advisors are aware of will arise during the international journey or where a medical advisor has advised against travel.
• Investigatory treatment that is not specified by a medical practitioner appointed by the Insurer as immediately necessary
• Elective surgery, procedures or medical appointments, and travel specifically to obtain treatment abroad
• The benefits will not cover you if you intend to emigrate.
• Mandatory vaccines
• Expenses incurred in obtaining or replacing medication.
• Additional costs arising from single or private room accommodation.
• Treatment or services provided by a health spa, convalescent or nursing home, or any rehabilitation center unless agreed by the emergency assistance service.
• Any costs incurred by you to visit another person in a hospital.
• Any expenses incurred after you have returned to South Africa.
• Any expenses incurred after the date we exercise our rights under this section to move you from one hospital to another and/or arrange for your repatriation, but you decide not to be moved or repatriated.
• Business travel undertaking manual labour.

Majority of the major open scheme medical aid companies include international travel medical benefits, but each company's benefits are different. In lieu of the increased frequency of international tourism, the importance for medical aid to cover international travel becomes crucial.

​It is important to carefully check your specific medical aid provider’s terms and conditions, as the extent of coverage can differ. Often, there are limits on how much you can claim and exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

​In South Africa, some major medical aids like Discovery Health offer international travel cover for a limited time (e.g., 90 days per trip) and may require pre-authorisation before coverage is effective.

Daberistic are brokers for the following medical aids:

• Discovery health
• Bonitas
• Momentum Health
• Fedhealth​

 If you would like more information on ITB or you would like to make claim email: [email protected] tel:(011)658-1333