Medical Aid

Medical aid is a type of insurance that helps manage the cost of healthcare. By paying a monthly premium, you receive financial cover for a range of medical treatments and associated expenses. Depending on the level of medical aid cover selected, this can include doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, and surgeries.

The aim is to alleviate the financial burden of medical costs, making healthcare more accessible and affordable for South Africans.

You can apply for medical aid by completing an application form and providing various supporting documents. You’ll need to disclose information about any dependents, as well as your medical and previous membership history. Full disclosure is essential for processing your application accurately.

If you need help with the application process or would like to learn more about your options, submit your details on our website. A Bloom representative will contact you to assist with your application and answer any questions you may have.

Yes, medical aid can be tax deductible. You are eligible to claim a deduction for qualifying medical expenses that exceed a certain threshold. Specifically, these expenses must not be covered by your medical scheme and should exceed 7.5% of your total taxable income.

For a detailed explanation and more information on which expenses qualify, please visit our blog: What Medical Aid Expenses Are Tax Deductible?

Gap cover is an additional insurance policy that helps bridge the financial gap between what your medical aid plan pays and what healthcare providers charge, particularly in instances where doctors and other medical service providers charge more than the rate covered by your medical aid. 

This type of cover is especially useful for covering the shortfalls from the risk or hospital benefit portion of your medical aid, ensuring you are not left out-of-pocket for these extra charges. 

Compare our gap cover options and learn how they can protect you from unexpected medical costs.

Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) refer to a set of defined medical benefits designed to ensure that all medical scheme members have access to certain essential health services. These benefits provide cover for specific health conditions, emergencies, and chronic diseases, ensuring that every member receives adequate care regardless of their medical aid plan’s benefit option. 

This provision helps protect you by providing guaranteed benefits for identified health conditions, ensuring you are not left without necessary care due to cost constraints.

A medical aid certificate is an official document issued by your medical aid provider. It details the total amount you contributed to your medical fund over a specific period, usually annually. Additionally, it lists out-of-pocket medical expenses you incurred—such as payments for medicines and doctor’s fees—that were not covered by your medical aid.

This certificate is particularly useful for tax purposes, allowing you to claim deductions for eligible medical expenses not reimbursed by your medical aid.