{"id":1173,"date":"2017-03-28T11:00:16","date_gmt":"2017-03-28T09:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.namfisa.com.na\/educates\/?p=1173"},"modified":"2025-07-19T12:43:18","modified_gmt":"2025-07-19T10:43:18","slug":"the-difference-between-a-medical-aid-fund-and-medical-health-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.namfisa.com.na\/educates\/the-difference-between-a-medical-aid-fund-and-medical-health-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"The Difference Between a Medical Aid Fund and Medical \/ Health Insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1173\" class=\"elementor elementor-1173\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-abdad02 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"abdad02\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd0b7b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenzsectiontitle\" data-id=\"cd0b7b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenzsectiontitle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section-title-wrapper border-light text-left\"><div class=\"title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"section-title\">Medical Aid Fund vs. Medical Insurance Policy<\/h3><span class=\"title-separator separator-border theme-color-bg\"><\/span><\/div><!-- .title-wrap --><div class=\"section-description\"><br>\nAlthough it is common practice for these two terms to be used interchangeably, there are, in fact, differences between a medical aid fund business and a medical or health insurance business. The most significant point of divergence between these two industries is the fact that the short and long-term insurers operate for profit, sharing risks with re-insurers at times,\n<br><br>\nand investing premium capital as a further hedge, whilst a Medical Aid\n<br><br>\nFund in Namibia is required to operate as a not-for-profit organization.\n<br><br><\/div><!-- .section-description --><\/div><!-- .section-title-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-549b222 elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenzsectiontitle\" data-id=\"549b222\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenzsectiontitle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section-title-wrapper border-light text-left\"><div class=\"title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"section-title\">What is a Medical Aid Fund?<\/h3><span class=\"title-separator separator-border theme-color-bg\"><\/span><\/div><!-- .title-wrap --><div class=\"section-description\">A Medical Aid Fund helps you to pay for your healthcare needs, such as visits to healthcare practitioners, nursing, surgery, dental work, medicine, and hospital accommodation. Medical Aid Funds are regulated in terms of the Medical Aid Funds Act, No. 23 of 1995 and are subject to regulatory oversight by NAMFISA. Medical Aid Funds are non-profit organizations and belong to their members. Medical Aid Funds operate through the collective pooling of good risks (fund members with low claim profiles\/history) and bad risks (fund members with high claim profiles\/history). Members belonging to a Medical Aid Fund make contributions to the Fund and in return receive medical cover according to the rules of the Fund. Benefits are indemnity-based and are usually paid directly to the service provider (direct payments to members are also occasionally made with the member then having to reimburse the service provider).\n<br><br><\/div><!-- .section-description --><\/div><!-- .section-title-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c675834 elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenzsectiontitle\" data-id=\"c675834\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenzsectiontitle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section-title-wrapper border-light text-left\"><div class=\"title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"section-title\">How Are Medical Aid Funds Grouped?<\/h3><span class=\"title-separator separator-border theme-color-bg\"><\/span><\/div><!-- .title-wrap --><div class=\"section-description\">Medical Aid Funds can be grouped into two main categories: restricted Medical Aid Funds, which are only accessible via membership of a specified\/closed group (usually employer based) and open Medical Aid Funds offer membership to all individuals able to afford membership. The Medical Aid Fund is managed by a Board of Trustees whose members are elected by the Fund\u2019s members. The Board of Trustees is responsible for directing the Medical Aid Fund\u2019s activities<\/div><!-- .section-description --><\/div><!-- .section-title-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68d8eb2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenzsectiontitle\" data-id=\"68d8eb2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenzsectiontitle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section-title-wrapper border-light text-left\"><div class=\"title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"section-title\">The benefit of its members.<\/h3><span class=\"title-separator separator-border theme-color-bg\"><\/span><\/div><!-- .title-wrap --><div class=\"section-description\">Medical Aid Funds can be grouped into two main categories: restricted Medical Aid Funds, which are only accessible via membership of a specified\/closed group (usually employer based) and open Medical Aid Funds offer membership to all individuals able to afford membership. The Medical Aid Fund is managed by a Board of Trustees whose members are elected by the Fund\u2019s members. The Board of Trustees is responsible for directing the Medical Aid Fund\u2019s activities:\n\nMedical aid cover, as provided for by Medical Aid Funds, is a plan that allows you to access medical care without or with minimum financial burden, (depending on the medical option you chose) should something unexpected happen to you. Medical aid cover:\n<br><br>\n\u2022 Is based on tariff codes and procedures;\n<br>\n\u2022 Often has a shortfall (member co-payments), due to the difference between the Namibian Association of Medical Aid Funds (\u201cNAMAF\u201d) tariff and what the healthcare professionals charge. NAMAF annually determines the benchmark tariffs Medical Aid Funds are willing to pay healthcare professionals;\n<br>\n\u2022 Has specified annual benefits which may vary from option to option. The benefits available to the member under each option are not unlimited and are capped at certain thresholds\/amounts; and\n<br>\n\u2022 Does not include any personal accident disability and loss of limbs cover.\n<br><br><\/div><!-- .section-description --><\/div><!-- .section-title-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad44fcb elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenzsectiontitle\" data-id=\"ad44fcb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenzsectiontitle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section-title-wrapper border-light text-left\"><div class=\"title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"section-title\">What is a Medical Insurance Policy?<\/h3><span class=\"title-separator separator-border theme-color-bg\"><\/span><\/div><!-- .title-wrap --><div class=\"section-description\"><br>\nA medical insurance policy is a contract sold by an insurance company to a policyholder in terms of the Long-term Insurance Act, No. 5 of 1998 (\u201cLTIA\u201d) or the Short-term Insurance Act, No. 4 of 1998 (\u201cSTIA\u201d) and is subject to regulatory oversight by NAMFISA. The policy promises to pay for certain stated benefits when the policyholder is ill or injured, in return for a premium. Generally, the premium is directly related to the age, health status or income of the individual covered by the policy (i.e. \u201cindividually risk-rated\u201d). Specific types of exclusions and conditions may also be built into a policy, which can have the effect of limiting who the policy can be sold to, or excluding certain circumstances under which the policyholder can claim under the policy.\n<br><br>\nMedical insurance:\n<br><br>\n\u2022 May be used as a gap cover in conjunction with your medical aid for cover where your Medical Aid Fund may fall short;\n<br>\n\u2022 Protects your financial assets and promotes wellness and health;\n<br>\n\u2022 Covers certain accidental injuries such as disability;\n<br>\n\u2022 Can cover your salary when you\u2019re unable to work due to an\n<br><br>\naccidental injury;\n<br><br>\n\u2022 Gives you the option of including death and\/or funeral cover to your plan; and\n<br>\n\u2022 Covers health events at fixed or stated amounts paid directly to the member as opposed to a medical service provider.\n<br><br><\/div><!-- .section-description --><\/div><!-- .section-title-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9819b0e elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenzsectiontitle\" data-id=\"9819b0e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenzsectiontitle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section-title-wrapper border-light text-left\"><div class=\"title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"section-title\">Overview of Health Insurance Product Categories<\/h3><span class=\"title-separator separator-border theme-color-bg\"><\/span><\/div><!-- .title-wrap --><div class=\"section-description\"><table style=\"border: 1px solid #BD9A5F; border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n  <caption style=\"caption-side: top; text-align: left; font-weight: bold; color: #6D773F;\">\n    Figure 1: Medical insurance general product overview\n  <\/caption>\n  <thead style=\"background-color: #6D773F; color: white;\">\n    <tr>\n      <th style=\"border: 1px solid #BD9A5F; padding: 8px;\">Medical Insurance<\/th>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/thead>\n  <tbody>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"border: 1px solid #BD9A5F; padding: 8px;\">\n        <strong>Income protection products<\/strong>\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"border: 1px solid #BD9A5F; padding: 8px;\">\n        <strong>Critical illness products<\/strong>\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"border: 1px solid #BD9A5F; padding: 8px;\">\n        <strong>Private health insurance products<\/strong>\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n    <tr>\n      <td style=\"border: 1px solid #BD9A5F; padding: 8px;\">\n        <strong>Private health insurance<\/strong>\n      <\/td>\n    <\/tr>\n  <\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n<br><br>\nSource: Review of the South African Market for Hospital Cash Plan Insurance (applies to the definitions below as well\n<\/div><!-- .section-description --><\/div><!-- .section-title-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb0955d elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenzsectiontitle\" data-id=\"bb0955d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenzsectiontitle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section-title-wrapper border-light text-left\"><div class=\"title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"section-title\">Product Descriptions<\/h3><span class=\"title-separator separator-border theme-color-bg\"><\/span><\/div><!-- .title-wrap --><div class=\"section-description\">Income protection products provide cover for the insured\u2019s income in the event that the policyholder is unable to work due to injury or illness. Benefits are usually available for a pre-defined period (usually up to retirement age). Short term variations like accident policies and sickness policies, also exist.\n<br><br>\n<blockquote>\n  \u201cDo not leave yourself or your family unprotected against financial storms\u2026<br>\n  Build up savings.\u201d <br>\u2014 Ezra Taft Benson\n<\/blockquote>\n<br><br>\n\nCritical illness products provide cash benefits on the diagnoses of a specified list of diseases, or in the event of a specified surgical procedure, or on reaching a predefined level of impairment or disability.\n<br><br>\nPrivate health insurance generally refers to product offerings aimed at meeting the cost of medical care. Products vary greatly and the more common options relate to dental plans, optical plans, major medical expense plans, excess options (gap cover products), medical cash plans, waiting list plans and personal medical expense plans.\n<br><br>\nLong-term care insurance refers to policies that provide cover for the cost of care in a residential or care home facility once the insured is unable to care for him\/herself. These products usually relate to elderly persons and can provide cover on either an indemnity or cash basis.\n<br><br><\/div><!-- .section-description --><\/div><!-- .section-title-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d996865 elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenzsectiontitle\" data-id=\"d996865\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenzsectiontitle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section-title-wrapper border-light text-left\"><div class=\"title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"section-title\">The Namibian Context<\/h3><span class=\"title-separator separator-border theme-color-bg\"><\/span><\/div><!-- .title-wrap --><div class=\"section-description\"><br>\nThere are a number of critical illness products and private health insurance products available on the Namibian market.\n<br><br>\nMany Medical Aid Funds have been adversely affected by the exodus of younger and healthier members, who opted to take up low-cost hospital plans. This exodus has meant that the cross-subsidization of older, sicker members by younger, healthier members, has been reduced. This has contributed to an increase in contribution premiums charged by Medical Aid Funds.\n<br><br>\nMedical insurance comes at a substantially lower cost than medical aid. However, it is of utmost importance to consider your medical needs before you decide to switch from medical aid coverage to medical insurance coverage. If you are healthy and unlikely to have high ongoing day-to-day costs, a hospital plan might be enough. However, if you are older, or if you have ongoing medical problems, you might be bankrupted by out-of-hospital expenses. Hospital plan insurance will not apply to any doctor visits, treatment or medication received when not hospitalised. Consider your family\u2019s medical history when making this decision. Also keep in mind that the onset of a sudden chronic condition could have negative financial repercussions for you.\n<br><br>\nJoining a Medical Aid Fund later could cost you more, as you might have to pay higher contribution premiums as a result of your age. Depending on the Rules of the Medical Aid Fund, you may also not be allowed to claim benefits, either indefinitely or for a specified period of time, for the treatment of a particular condition. If everyone joins Medical aid Funds only when they fall ill, all Medical Aid Funds would soon be bankrupt.<\/div><!-- .section-description --><\/div><!-- .section-title-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-deff2f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenzsectiontitle\" data-id=\"deff2f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenzsectiontitle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section-title-wrapper border-light text-left\"><div class=\"title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"section-title\">The Financial Risk of No Cover<\/h3><span class=\"title-separator separator-border theme-color-bg\"><\/span><\/div><!-- .title-wrap --><div class=\"section-description\">The cost of even a relatively minor operation is likely to prove to be a shock for anyone required to foot the entire bill without assistance.\n<br><br>\nWhile the fees of surgeons, anesthetists and the rest of the theatre team are obvious, the fact that each suture, swab, surgical glove and disposable instrument also carries a price tag is easy to overlook, as are laboratory tests and ward accommodation.\n<br><br>\nWhen faced with the limitations of a fixed daily subsidy from a medical insurer, many have found that they should have paid the extra medical aid contribution premiums that would have covered the lion\u2019s share of such costs. Therefore, the advantages (importance) of medical aid are as follows:\n<br><br>\n\u2022 It protects you financially if you suddenly have to pay large, unexpected medical costs. You can usually rest assured that there will be no delay in your medical treatment because you do not have the funds to pay for it. However, only as long as the aforementioned medical costs are covered by your medical aid benefit option and as long as the medical costs are within the benefit limits of the option you belong to; and\n<br>\n\u2022 Being a member of a fund also means you get better medical care because you are treated by private doctors, specialists and hospitals, instead of usually overcrowded public health services.\n<br><br><\/div><!-- .section-description --><\/div><!-- .section-title-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1aa9892 elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenzsectiontitle\" data-id=\"1aa9892\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenzsectiontitle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section-title-wrapper border-light text-left\"><div class=\"title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"section-title\">Summary<\/h3><span class=\"title-separator separator-border theme-color-bg\"><\/span><\/div><!-- .title-wrap --><div class=\"section-description\"><\/div><!-- .section-description --><\/div><!-- .section-title-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba87ee1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenzsectiontitle\" data-id=\"ba87ee1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenzsectiontitle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section-title-wrapper border-light text-left\"><div class=\"title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"section-title\"> Key Differences Between Medical Aid Funds and Medical Insurance Policies<\/h3><span class=\"title-separator separator-border theme-color-bg\"><\/span><\/div><!-- .title-wrap --><div class=\"section-description\"><\/div><!-- .section-description --><\/div><!-- .section-title-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1e2b34 eael-table-align-center eael-dt-th-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-data-table\" data-id=\"e1e2b34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-data-table.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"eael-data-table-wrap\" data-table_id=\"e1e2b34\" id=\"eael-data-table-wrapper-e1e2b34\" data-custom_responsive=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<table class=\"tablesorter eael-data-table center\" id=\"eael-data-table-e1e2b34\">\n\t\t\t    <thead>\n\t\t\t        <tr class=\"table-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t            <th class=\"\" id=\"\" colspan=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"data-table-header-text\">Feature<\/span><\/th>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t            <th class=\"\" id=\"\" colspan=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"data-table-header-text\">Medical Aid Fund<\/span><\/th>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t            <th class=\"\" id=\"\" colspan=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"data-table-header-text\">Medical Insurance Policy<\/span><\/th>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t        <\/tr>\n\t\t\t    <\/thead>\n\t\t\t  \t<tbody>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLegal Framework\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRegulated under the Medical Aid Funds Act (1995\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRegulated under the Long-Term or Short-Term Insurance Acts (1998)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProfit Orientation\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNot-for-profit; member-owned\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor-profit entities\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBenefit Structure\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIndemnity-based; based on actual service costs\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFixed benefits paid out to the member\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRisk Pooling\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShared among all members\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIndividually risk-rated (based on age, health, etc.)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPayment Method\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPayments typically made directly to service providers\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPayments usually made directly to the policyholder\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAccessibility\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCan be restricted or open funds\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOpen to general public\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tManagement\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRun by a Board of Trustees elected by members\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tManaged by insurance company\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t    <\/tbody>\n\t\t\t<\/table>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t  \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88f523d elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenzsectiontitle\" data-id=\"88f523d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenzsectiontitle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section-title-wrapper border-light text-left\"><div class=\"title-wrap\"><h5 class=\"section-title\">Highlights of Medical Aid Funds<\/h5><\/div><!-- .title-wrap --><div class=\"section-description\"><\/div><!-- .section-description --><\/div><!-- .section-title-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d097092 elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenziconlist\" data-id=\"d097092\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenziconlist.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"icon-list-wrapper\"><ul class=\"nav flex-column vertical-icon-list\"><li class=\"icon-parent\"><span class=\" icon-theme-color ti-minus\"><\/span>Based on solidarity: good and bad risks are pooled.<\/li><li class=\"icon-parent\"><span class=\" icon-theme-color ti-minus\"><\/span>May require co-payments (due to difference between provider charges and NAMAF tariffs).<\/li><li class=\"icon-parent\"><span class=\" icon-theme-color ti-minus\"><\/span>Benefits are capped and option-specific.<\/li><li class=\"icon-parent\"><span class=\" icon-theme-color ti-minus\"><\/span>Covers day-to-day care and hospitalisation but not disability or income loss.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><!-- .icon-list-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-852753b elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenzsectiontitle\" data-id=\"852753b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenzsectiontitle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section-title-wrapper border-light text-left\"><div class=\"title-wrap\"><h5 class=\"section-title\">Highlights of Medical Insurance<\/h5><\/div><!-- .title-wrap --><div class=\"section-description\"><\/div><!-- .section-description --><\/div><!-- .section-title-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-048c26a elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenziconlist\" data-id=\"048c26a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenziconlist.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"icon-list-wrapper\"><ul class=\"nav flex-column vertical-icon-list\"><li class=\"icon-parent\"><span class=\" icon-theme-color ti-minus\"><\/span>Includes income protection, critical illness, gap cover, and accident\/disability products.<\/li><li class=\"icon-parent\"><span class=\" icon-theme-color ti-minus\"><\/span>Premiums vary based on individual risk.<\/li><li class=\"icon-parent\"><span class=\" icon-theme-color ti-minus\"><\/span>Less expensive, but typically less comprehensive.<\/li><li class=\"icon-parent\"><span class=\" icon-theme-color ti-minus\"><\/span>May exclude chronic care, day-to-day consultations, and elective treatments.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><!-- .icon-list-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45e7018 elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenzsectiontitle\" data-id=\"45e7018\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenzsectiontitle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section-title-wrapper border-light text-left\"><div class=\"title-wrap\"><h5 class=\"section-title\">Consumer Considerations<\/h5><\/div><!-- .title-wrap --><div class=\"section-description\"><\/div><!-- .section-description --><\/div><!-- .section-title-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8661e3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenziconlist\" data-id=\"8661e3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenziconlist.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"icon-list-wrapper\"><ul class=\"nav flex-column vertical-icon-list\"><li class=\"icon-parent\"><span class=\" icon-theme-color ti-minus\"><\/span>Don\u2019t delay joining a medical aid fund\u2014late joiners may face higher premiums or waiting periods.<\/li><li class=\"icon-parent\"><span class=\" icon-theme-color ti-minus\"><\/span>A medical insurance policy might be suitable only for low-risk individuals.<\/li><li class=\"icon-parent\"><span class=\" icon-theme-color ti-minus\"><\/span>Medical aid offers greater access to private healthcare, which can reduce strain on public hospitals.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><!-- .icon-list-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac788cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenzsectiontitle\" data-id=\"ac788cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenzsectiontitle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section-title-wrapper border-light text-left\"><div class=\"title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"section-title\">Final Thoughts<\/h3><span class=\"title-separator separator-border theme-color-bg\"><\/span><\/div><!-- .title-wrap --><div class=\"section-description\">Your health is important and protecting it is vital. It remains important for anyone who may be considering medical aid or medical insurance to be absolutely clear about precisely what is being offered by his or her choice of product and what is definitely not part of the deal. For those who may not be as fortunate with their general health and who have the means to afford it, there is little doubt that the best option is to invest in the cover provided by one of the more comprehensive medical aid products.\n<br><br><\/div><!-- .section-description --><\/div><!-- .section-title-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7b5a74 elementor-widget elementor-widget-egovenzsectiontitle\" data-id=\"b7b5a74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"egovenzsectiontitle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"section-title-wrapper border-light text-left\"><div class=\"title-wrap\"><h3 class=\"section-title\">References:<\/h3><span class=\"title-separator separator-border theme-color-bg\"><\/span><\/div><!-- .title-wrap --><div class=\"section-description\"><br>\nChoosing-a-medical-scheme\/Hospital-plan-vs-medical-scheme-\n<br>\nHealth-insurance-vs-gap-cover\n<br>\nDifference-between-medical-insurance-and-medical-aid-scheme\n<br>\nReview of the South African market for hospital cash plan insurance by B Childs and D. Erasmus\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div><!-- .section-description --><\/div><!-- .section-title-wrapper -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Medical Aid Fund vs. Medical Insurance Policy Although it is common practice for these two terms to be used interchangeably, there are, in fact, differences between a medical aid fund<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1175,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[435],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-medical-aid-and-freindly-societies"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.namfisa.com.na\/educates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.namfisa.com.na\/educates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.namfisa.com.na\/educates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.namfisa.com.na\/educates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.namfisa.com.na\/educates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1173"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.namfisa.com.na\/educates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1173\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35680,"href":"https:\/\/www.namfisa.com.na\/educates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1173\/revisions\/35680"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.namfisa.com.na\/educates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1175"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.namfisa.com.na\/educates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.namfisa.com.na\/educates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1173"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.namfisa.com.na\/educates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}