Medical Aid FAQs and Answers

1. Why do I need medical cover to study in SA?

All international students must comply with the Visa regulations as determined by the Immigration Act of South Africa, Act 13 of 2002. 

Regulation 10 (1) determines the following: 
"An applicant for a study permit shall submit – (h) proof of medical cover with a medical scheme registered in terms of
the Medical Schemes Act, 1998 (Act No. 131 of 1998), or other medical insurance cover recognised in the Republic". 

In terms of the Immigration Amendment Act 19 of 2004, any prospective student to the Republic of South Africa must provide proof of medical cover with a medical scheme registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act, 1998 Act 131 of 1998.

Please see the following documents (in particular pages 17 and 18):

• Abridged version of the Immigration Act of South Africa, Act 13 of 2002

• Full version of Immigration Act of South Africa, Act 13 of 2002

2. I have a non-South African Medical Aid. Can I use this?

No, if you are already a member of another Medical Aid, even one that is Internationally recognised, please be advised that you are still liable to take out a South African Medical Cover in collaboration with our ABSA Health Care Consultants.

You must use a scheme that is registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act 131 (1998).  For a list of approved medical aid schemes, please visit: www.medicalschemes.com/consumer_assistance/RegSchemes.aspx.

3. Can I join any medical scheme in South Africa?

Some products in South Africa are student-focussed.  It is preferred that students join these products, as other medical schemes might impose waiting periods on membership and cannot take contributions upfront, and therefore cannot provide membership confirmation with a start and end date that is needed for your visa application.

We also prefer that you contact ABSA HCC prior to joining any SA medical scheme as they will be able to tell you if the scheme is going through curatorship, liquidation or any other form of management, which might not be known to the public.

4. Why does Rhodes not accept International insurance/medical aid products that confirm they will cover students whilst studying in SA?

In the past, Rhodes University tried to verify products based on information provided by the students as well as by confirming with the major hospital groups in SA whether students would be admitted to hospital with the International insurance products presented. 

In some instances they confirmed that students would be accepted, but problems occurred where the admission staff at the hospital did not recognise the product and asked students to go to government hospitals instead, as they were unsure whether the account would be settled.

Phoning international numbers for authorisation on behalf of the students also proved to be a problem – and without authorisation, a private hospital will not admit a patient.
Rhodes is a member of IEASA (International Education Association of South Africa), which has set up certain minimum requirements for products allowed for international students.

Some of these requirements are:

a) The product must be a South African registered medical aid scheme (as there are certain prescribed minimum benefits that have to be covered by SA medical schemes – which in turn means certain benefits guaranteed to the member).

b) The product must have national representation in both its provider network as well as client service capabilities for the members on the various campuses.

c) They need to be compliant with the Immigration Act and Home Affairs requirements.

d) We need to be sure that the scheme is financially sound and able to offer sustainable benefits over the medium to long-term.  Students have to pay their contributions annually in advance, and therefore the risk to the student could be that the student has to take another product at an additional cost.

e) We need to be sure that the administration of claims, refunds, etc runs smoothly, and adheres to a signed service level agreement to which all parties must adhere.

5. What role does ABSA HCC play, and are they a medical aid option/scheme? 

As of 1^st September 2009, Rhodes University has appointed ABSA Health Care Consultants (ABSA HCC) to assist international students with all queries relating to appropriate medical cover and membership renewal.  ABSA HCC is an independent service that is also currently appointed by 10 other Tertiary institutions in the country. 

This means that ABSA HCC is not a medical aid option or scheme, but the intermediary between the scheme (to ensure it adheres to the above mentioned criteria and service levels) and the member (to make sure any problems or questions the member/student has can be resolved within the rules of the specific medical aid).  

ABSA HCC advises the university with regard to which SA products are acceptable and currently adhering to the requirements as set out in point 4.

6. Does having ABSA HCC as intermediary cost the student anything? 

No, intermediary fees are highly regulated in South Africa and form part of the contribution set out by the medical scheme.  This means that the commission paid to ABSA HCC (not the specific consultant) already forms part of your contribution and it will not decrease if you do not make use of the service. 

ABSA HCC also has a national footprint, which means in some areas where the medical aid cannot provide service, the university/students’ ABSA HCC will be available to assist students.

7. Does Rhodes University benefit in any way by appointing ABSA HCC or by enforcing the rule that students must belong to a South African Medical Aid? 

No, by law no money can be paid from medical aid contributions other than the administration fee/non-health care cost (to run the scheme and for managed care – e.g. doctor networks, HIV programmes etc) and the intermediary commission. 

Therefore, RU does not benefit in anyway financially from the arrangement.  The benefit to the university is mitigating the risk of having students on inferior cover or students running the risk of not being assisted by private facilities in case of major emergencies.

8. Do I have other options as far as medical aid is concerned? 

Yes, the options provided are merely options that are cost-effective, keeping in mind that the contribution has to be funded upfront for the academic year. 

ABSA HCC will be able to provide students with more comprehensive cover if they wish to take out such cover. 

Students must keep in mind that the more comprehensive options are more expensive, and might give students waiting periods (during which no claims can be made) and/or exclusions on any pre-existing conditions for a period of 12 months. 

Also, non-student schemes will not allow cover for any period less than 12 months.

9. Are there any cheaper options available? 

No, the current student products are the cheapest medical aid cover available in South Africa.  Any product cheaper will be an insurance product, and even SA medical insurance products will not be accepted for registration – it must be a South African registered MEDICAL AID.

10. What about Medical Insurance? 

You may well be able to secure a South African Study Visa with something less than Medical Aid cover with a Medical Scheme registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act (such as medical ‘insurance’ or cover with a scheme that is not registered), but Rhodes University will NOT accept these.

11. Can I pay on a monthly basis?

No, the requirement is that the student should pay for at least the academic year (February – November) upfront, and it is strongly suggested that if the student stays in SA for the December/January break that cover be taken for the student to ensure the student will be assisted should the unforeseen happen.

12. Can I pay for 1 semester at a time (6 months)? 

No, if the student is registering for the full academic year, the cover has to be for the academic year. 

Only students that are registering for 1 semester (e.g. study-abroad) will be able to register for the minimum period of 6 months.  Proof of this will have to be provided by the student in the form of formal acceptance documents from the University.

13. Can I use my medical aid when I go back home? 

No, to be able to keep the cost of the options as low as possible, the specific student options will only cover the student in SA. 

There are other products available which will cover students for medical emergencies whilst travelling that can be given on request by ABSA HCC.

14. Does the medical aid have any other benefits, e.g. lost luggage insurance, repatriation etc? 

Yes, the student schemes will pay for the repatriation of mortal remains. 

No other additional insurance benefits will be covered by the medical aid.

15. Can I cancel my medical aid and join another option/scheme? 

No, only upon renewal of the scheme for the next academic year will a student be able to change to another scheme.

16. If I made a payment to the medical scheme, is there any reason for which I can get my contributions back? 

Yes, in case of: 

a) student not adhering to minimum requirements for admission to the University

b) student having to cancel studies and return back home

All of the above will only be considered upon written confirmation from the University.

17. Can I apply prior to registration? 

Yes, it is strongly advised that once the product and contributions for the new academic year have been released, that students complete the application process. 

This will ensure that the membership cards are printed and delivered during the on-campus registration period for collection by the student. 

This will also allow enough time for the processing of confirmation letters for Visa applications and renewals prior to travelling. 
Please contact:  international.students@absa.co.za by the end of September to confirm the new contributions, benefits and process for applications.

18. How do I apply and pay for medical aid? 

The following application methods are available: 

1. On-line applications (on the medical scheme’s website) which will give you a confirmation letter immediately if you pay via credit card;

2. E-mail international.students@absa.co.za and they will send you the necessary forms and brochures to apply; or

3. Apply during registration at the representatives (this should be your last option as it is the process with the longest turnaround time).

The following payment methods are available: 

1. On-line via credit card

2. Internet transfer from your bank account to the scheme’s bank account

3. SWIFT transfer (please note turnaround time for confirmation will be 15 working days)

4. Deposit at the bank into the schemes account

5. Credit/debit card payments during registration on campus

PLEASE NOTE: 

No cash will be accepted and NO STUDENT ACCOUNT PAYMENTS FROM 2012 ONWARDS – money has to be paid to the scheme directly and not to the University.

19. How do I get my medical aid card? 

Your card can be collected during the Compcare Health and Momentum Health consultation times, currently every second Thursday from 11h00 – 14h00. 

PLEASE NOTE:
 
Cards will only be posted to members after the end of March of every year if a reliable postal address has been provided on the application (no general University postal addresses will be used).  Uncollected cards will be destroyed by the end of April, and students will have to request a new card after this.

20. Can I go to any doctor?

 
No, you have to go to the specific doctor that you chose on the application form.  If you did not choose a doctor when applying, the scheme would nominate a doctor on your behalf and confirm this in your membership card pack that you should collect. 

You can, however, change to another doctor that is part of the medical aid network, by e-mailing the scheme or international.students@absa.co.za with your membership number and selected doctor. 
Please note: changes will only take affect the first day of the next month.

21. Can I get medication from the pharmacy? 

On the student specific options you have to get a prescription from your selected doctor and cannot get the medication from the pharmacy without a prescription.

22. Will the medical aid pay for my Visa-required medical tests? 

No, this does not form part of your benefit and will be at the student’s own expense.

23. Can I get a refund if I don’t use my medical aid for the year? 

No, as a medical aid is not an insurance product, no refunds are given for non-claiming.

24. What if I have a problem/complaint with regard to the medical aid?  

Any complaints must be referred to ABSA HCC so they can assist members with any complaints or problems they are experiencing with the medical aid.

25. What if I just want general information on my benefits?

• You can e-mail international.students@absa.co.za or phone ABSA HCC on 0860 100 308 for assistance;

• You can contact your medical aid directly on the number that appears on your membership card; or

• Visit the consultants and representatives during the consultation times.

26. How long does it take for me to get my confirmation after I’ve paid? 

Depending on the payment method (e.g. SWIFT transfer takes 15 working days), the confirmation should reach the applicant within 5 working days if all the necessary documents are received in a complete and clear manner.

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