Part of our job as insurers is to ensure that you don’t fall for common health insurance myths. So, tag along as we bust one of the greatest myths: that health insurance and hospital plans are kind of the same thing.
If you’re here, you’ve probably Google searched what the differences between hospital plans and medical insurance are at some point (and left your search leaving even more confused than before), which is why we’re here to give you all the answers you’ll ever need!
Let’s quickly chat about one quick thing before we get into the differences between a hospital plan and health insurance.
There is this common misconception that you have to be earning six figures to receive the best medical attention in the country. Or that covering your entire family will absolutely bankrupt you.
So, what do you do when you or a family member as a health scare? You begin panic searching medical schemes that will cover both you and your family without breaking the bank. And, after sweeping the web, browsing on page 12 of Google, trying to make sense of all the lingo, you’ve finally discovered that your best option for medical cover (that accommodates your budget) is either medical insurance or a hospital plan.
While health insurance and hospital plans may seem rather similar at first glance – and easy on your wallet – they actually have significant differences that you’re going to need to know about. Thankfully we’ve broken it all down for you!
Are hospital plans and health insurance the same thing?
The simple answer: no. And don’t worry, we won’t judge you for thinking they were the same thing. Many people do! But opting in for medical cover isn’t a light-hearted matter, and we would hate to think that you could have made an informed decision from the very beginning.
So, let’s avoid making this mistake and explain some of the critical differences between a hospital plan and medical insurance.
What is a hospital plan?
Hospital plans are a more basic level medical scheme but are an important medical cover option. They include cover for all your in-hospital check-ups and procedures. This means that whenever you’re admitted into the hospital (regardless of whether it’s for an illness, procedure, or accident) your expenses will be covered. Just keep in mind that the extent of the cover is dependent on the limits that are set out in your particular plan!
With a hospital plan, however, you are required to pay for your other day-to-day out of hospital costs. These are things like your medicine, doctors’ visits, and specialist check-ups that will all have to be paid for out of pocket!
So, it’s safe to assume that a hospital plan is exactly as it explains in its title. It is your go-to source for hospital cover. Nothing less, nothing more.
What is health insurance?
Health insurance is an affordable (and incredibly comprehensive) medical cover option. And totally worth all the hype that it gets. Why?
Because it is the key to exceptional medical care – at an affordable price. Not only do you have direct access to renowned private medical centres, hospitals, and medical practitioners but incredible day-to-day benefits too.
And these benefits don’t come with a hefty price tag either. In fact, we health insurance brokers continue to look for ways to keep our health insurance plans as wallet conscious as possible! It is for this reason that health insurance continues to be a firm favourite for many.
Read this: A more affordable option to medical aid
Health insurance as gap cover
You can still take out health insurance when you are covered by a medical aid scheme. Yup! We call this GAP cover. This is an exclusive health insurance benefit that you can tap into when you have run out of medical aid savings or there are certain events your medical aid doesn’t cover.
So, if you are aware of the shortfalls of your medical aid, we suggest opting for medical insurance to cover those gaps.
Just remember that you can also get health insurance as its own product in itself!
How Oneplan’s health insurance is changing (and leading) the insurance game
1. It’s a means of preventative care
You know the drill – we say it all the time: prevention is better than cure. Unsurprisingly, preventative healthcare and routine check-ups don’t just save you from expensive medical bills down the line, but they might just save your life.
2. You get fronted with cash immediately
You no longer have to wait for payday or take out another bank loan to gain access to private healthcare services. With the help of your exclusive Onecard, you have the keys to the healthcare castle – right in your pocket.
3. Keep your favourite doctor
Unlike many medical schemes that work exclusively with a few medical practitioners, at Oneplan we want you to be as comfortable as possible. This means that you won’t have to ditch your favourite doctor – you can see whichever medical practitioner you’d like.
4. Holistic care when you need it most
You aren’t just a client to us. When you join Oneplan, you officially join our family. You ALWAYS have access to our team and our benefits whenever you need them.
You have the option to call us, have us call you, or get a hold of us using our Oneplan app. You don’t ever have to feel alone because, with us, you aren’t!
5. It’s incredibly easy to sign up for
Are you a “no mess, no fuss” kind of person? Then our simple online sign-up option is perfect for you! We’ve gone and ensured that you get to experience the easiest sign-up process (EVER!). But don’t take our word for it – tap here to check it out for yourself!
Your Health Family,
Oneplan
