Being a student is one of the best times of your life. You are young and healthy, you have unlimited freedom, and life is yours to enjoy.

Realistically though, you also need to take on more adult responsibilities. Even if you are careful, accidents and unexpected illnesses do happen, and you need to be prepared for them.

A good medical aid plan can help cover you in the event of injury or illness. Your health should be one of your top priorities and so you want a medical aid that provides the best possible care.

There are medical aid companies who have specific plans that provide medical aid for students. In this article, we’ll take a look at what students need to get medical aid, which companies provide this service, and what the benefits entail.

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Can Students Get Medical Aid?

Health care and medical aid is open to anyone. But of course, most medical schemes are expensive and students won’t be able to afford it out of their own pocket.

In South Africa, you qualify as a child dependent on your parents’ medical aid up to the age of 18. But when you turn 21, you count as an adult and have to make your own decisions about medical aid.

Luckily, there are medical aid companies who understand that students usually have a low income and live on a tight budget. They offer affordable prices and specific student benefits.

Student medical aid generally works the same as any other medical cover. To qualify, you simply need to provide proof that you are indeed a student. Most companies will ask you to submit the following documents in order to get student medical aid:

• A certified copy of your ID
• Proof of study from your tertiary institution
• A bank statement of 3 months

International Students in South Africa

There are many international students studying in South Africa. One of the requirements to study as an international student is that students must have local medical aid.

Apart from the companies listed below, Discovery and Bonitas also offer medical aid to international students, albeit at higher prices.

International students should obtain proof of their medical aid membership and take it to their tertiary institution to continue with their studies.

Companies that Offer Student Medical Aid Plans

There is a difference between medical aid and medical insurance. As a student, you probably don’t need expensive medical insurance with benefits like funeral cover. A simple medical aid plan with daily benefits and hospital cover should be enough.

Here are some of the best medical aids for students provided by South African companies.

Momentum | Ingwe

Momentum is one of the top medical aid schemes in South Africa and has provided healthcare to students for the past 30 years. Their Ingwe medical aid option caters specifically for students.

Ingwe health members have access to digital self-service platforms and can easily connect with Momentum through Whatsapp. Customer service for student members is managed by an experienced team of students.

Students get access to high-quality day-to-day and in-hospital benefits for under R500 per month (in 2021). For day-to-day health issues, students can use services provided by doctors on the Ingwe Primary Care Network list. Hospital benefits are covered at any private hospital of your choice.

Some highlights from Momentum’s Ingwe student option include unlimited GP visits, medicine for 26 chronic conditions, an annual eye test, an annual dental check-up, two specialist consultations per year, blood tests and other preventative care.

Momentum also has a rewards programme called Multiply. When members take daily steps towards a healthier lifestyle, they can get discounts at Momentum’s partner stores in the entertainment, travel, electronics and clothing industries.

Medihelp | MedElect Student

Medihelp is one of the largest medical aid companies in South Africa. They are top-rated for their reliability in paying claims. Their MedElect option is a quality plan with comprehensive cover. This plan is available for everyone, but students can get the same benefits for almost a quarter of the price.

The MedElect plan includes day-to-day benefits, in-hospital cover, and additional screening benefits. Students pay around R700 per month (in 2021) as the principal member of the plan. There is also the option of adding a dependent or child dependent for an additional R700 per month.

Medihelp covers GP visits to doctors in their network and a lesser extent, to doctors outside their network. Among other things, the plan covers dentistry, optometry, physiotherapy, radiography and medication, all up to a predetermined amount.

In-hospital treatment and related emergency services generally cover unlimited costs. Some of their additional benefits include screenings, vaccinations, and contraceptives.

CompCare | NetworX

CompCare’s student medical aid plan is known as NetworX. It is the most affordable student medical aid in South Africa and is specifically designed for students’ needs.

Their online platform makes it easy for students to access medical scheme information and keep track of claims. The NetworX plan costs around R500 per month (in 2021) and includes day-to-day and in-hospital benefits, as well as preventative care.

Students get unlimited GP visits to doctors who are part of the Universal Network of GPs. Acute medication as prescribed by these GPs is also part of the unlimited cover.

Other day-to-day benefits from the NetworX plan include cover for chronic medication, an annual eye test, an annual dental check-up, two specialist consultations per year, and unlimited basic radiology.

In-hospital benefits get unlimited cover. As part of preventative care, students have access to flu vaccinations, oral contraceptives, and three sessions per year with a psychologist or counsellor.

Final Thoughts on Student Medical Aid in South Africa

South Africa has good quality medical aid plans that cater specifically to students. At lower prices, students can still get all the daily benefits and hospital coverage that other plans offer.

Students with chronic conditions or who regularly need certain specialist services should ensure these costs are covered before deciding on a medical aid plan. After all, students shouldn’t have to spend all their time and energy worrying about their health. Let a reputable company do the work so that you can focus on studying and enjoying your life.