Medical Insurancefrom R400 a month
Private hospital cover without the medical aid price tag. We compare 5 trusted providers and connect you with the right plan for your needs and budget.
Medical insurance vs medical aid — what is the difference?
Medical Insurance
- • Regulated under the Long-term Insurance Act
- • Covers hospitalisation, surgery, and emergencies
- • Does NOT cover GP visits or chronic medication (standard plans)
- • Monthly premiums from ~R400 (individual)
- • No medical underwriting required
- • 3-month general waiting period
Medical Aid Scheme
- • Regulated under the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998
- • Covers hospitalisation AND day-to-day healthcare
- • Covers GP visits, chronic medication, dentistry
- • Monthly contributions from ~R1,500+ (individual)
- • Open enrolment — late joiner penalties may apply
- • INSURELOANSA does not broker medical aid schemes
Medical insurance is the right choice for South Africans who want private hospital access without the full medical aid cost, or as a supplement to a basic medical aid plan.
Covered on all plans
- In-hospital treatment at private and government hospitals
- ICU, high care, and step-down facilities
- Surgical procedures performed in hospital
- In-hospital anaesthesia
- Emergency ambulance (road and air where clinically necessary)
- Emergency room treatment — immediate, no waiting period
- In-hospital specialist consultations
- Blood products and transfusions
- In-hospital pathology and radiology
- Cancer (oncology) treatment — in-hospital, plan dependent
Standard exclusions
- GP (general practitioner) consultations — out-of-hospital visits are not covered on standard plans
- Chronic medication and repeat prescriptions
- Routine dentistry (emergency dental in hospital only)
- Optometry, spectacles, or contact lenses
- Cosmetic or elective procedures not medically necessary
- Infertility investigations or treatment
- Pre-existing conditions — excluded for first 12 months (covered after)
Waiting periods
All medical insurance plans have waiting periods. You cannot claim for these conditions during the waiting period. Emergency cover is always immediate regardless of any waiting period.
| Condition type | Waiting period |
|---|---|
| General illness (new conditions) | 3 months |
| Pre-existing conditions | 12 months |
| Maternity (normal delivery) | 9–10 months (plan dependent) |
| Psychiatric conditions | 3 months |
| Cancer (oncology) | 3 months (most plans) |
| Emergency treatment | No waiting period — immediate |
| Accidental injury | No waiting period — immediate |
Compare your options
We connect you with the right provider. The partner conducts their own assessment and confirms your premium directly.
Affinity Health
Most popular — strong brand, large network
From
~R459/month
indicative · individual
🏥Netcare, Mediclinic, Life Healthcare
⏳3 months general · 12 months pre-existing
🚨 Emergency:Immediate
- Plans from R459/month individual
- Private hospital cover including ICU
- App-based pre-authorisation and claims
- Cancer cover on Essential plan and above
Fedhealth FlexiFed
Established since 1936 — upgrade pathway to full scheme
From
~R560/month
indicative · individual
🏥Fedhealth network hospitals
⏳3 months general · 12 months pre-existing
🚨 Emergency:Immediate
- Plans from R560/month individual
- Option to upgrade to full Fedhealth medical aid
- Strong oncology cover from FlexiFed 2
- Maternity cover on higher plans
CompCare Wellness
Best value — cancer cover from entry level
From
~R430/month
indicative · individual
🏥All major private hospitals
⏳3 months general · 12 months pre-existing
🚨 Emergency:Immediate
- Plans from R430/month individual
- Cancer cover included on entry-level plan
- Wellness screening (blood pressure, cholesterol) on all plans
- HIV/AIDS management programme included
Turnberry
Gap cover specialist — best for existing medical aid members
From
~R185/month
indicative · individual
🏥Any private hospital (no network restriction)
⏳3 months general · 12 months pre-existing
🚨 Emergency:Immediate
- Gap cover from R185/month — pays specialist shortfalls
- Hospital cash plan from R120/month
- No network restrictions — use any registered private hospital
- Can be combined with any medical aid scheme
Stratum Benefits
Strong maternity cover and dental add-ons
From
~R399/month
indicative · individual
🏥Stratum network hospitals
⏳3 months general · 12 months pre-existing
🚨 Emergency:Immediate
- Plans from R399/month individual
- Optional dental cover add-on — unusual in hospital plans
- Optional optical cover add-on
- Strong maternity benefit on Comprehensive plan
What to expect
Private hospital cover
Access to private hospitals including Netcare, Mediclinic, and Life Healthcare for in-patient treatment, surgery, and ICU care.
Emergency cover from day one
All plans include immediate emergency cover — no waiting period for accidents or genuine medical emergencies.
No medical aid required
Medical insurance is a standalone product. You do not need to belong to a medical aid scheme to apply.
Affordable monthly premiums
Individual plans from approximately R400/month — significantly less than full medical aid contributions.
Frequently asked questions
Is medical insurance the same as a medical aid?
No. Medical insurance is regulated under the Long-term Insurance Act — it is not a registered medical aid scheme. It provides hospital and emergency cover at a much lower monthly cost than medical aid, but it does not cover GP visits, chronic medication, or dentistry on standard plans.
Can I apply if I have a pre-existing condition?
Yes. Medical insurance does not require medical underwriting. Pre-existing conditions are excluded for the first 12 months, after which they are covered. You must disclose them at application.
Does cover start immediately?
Emergency cover starts immediately on all plans. All other benefits have a 3-month general waiting period. Pre-existing conditions are excluded for 12 months.
Can I cover my whole family?
Yes. All partners offer family plans covering the principal member, spouse or partner, and dependent children. Confirm dependent age limits with the specific insurer.
What is gap cover and why does Turnberry offer it?
Gap cover pays the difference (shortfall) between what your medical aid pays and what a specialist actually charges. Specialists often charge 200–400% of the medical aid rate, leaving you with a large out-of-pocket bill. Turnberry's gap cover eliminates this risk. It is best for existing medical aid members, not as a standalone product.
Are premiums fixed?
No. Medical insurance premiums are reviewed annually and increase in line with medical inflation — typically 8–12% per year. This is standard across all providers.
Compare medical insurance options today
Free, no-obligation comparison. We connect you with the right provider — they conduct their own assessment and confirm your premium directly.
See my medical insurance optionsINSURELOANSA provides a referral service for medical insurance products. We connect consumers with licensed medical insurance providers — we do not underwrite medical insurance and do not give medical advice. Medical insurance is not a substitute for a full medical aid scheme. All premiums shown are indicative and subject to the provider's own assessment. Waiting periods apply — please read the provider's policy document carefully before applying.