Understanding the limitations of traditional gap cover in South Africa
Explore how the rising costs of healthcare in South Africa are impacting families and discover how innovative gap cover products can provide essential outpatient support.
As we reach the year's halfway point, many South Africans are beginning to feel the financial pinch, not just from rising living costs, but also from depleted Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs). It's in these moments that the limitations of traditional gap cover become painfully clear. While most gap cover products are designed to bridge shortfalls during hospital admissions, they rarely support outpatient and day-to-day medical costs.
The growing cost of outpatient care
According to the Council for Medical Schemes 2022/2023 Annual Report, South Africans paid close to R40 billion out-of-pocket for healthcare, with nearly half of that going toward outpatient services, not hospital stays. These costs include essential visits to specialists, radiologists, and dentists, which are often not fully covered once MSAs are exhausted.
Rethinking the role of Gap Cover
Recognising this shortfall, some newer-generation gap cover products have introduced day-to-day benefits designed to step in once MSA or scheme sub-limits are depleted.
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Understanding the limitations of traditional gap cover in South Africa
Explore how the rising costs of healthcare in South Africa are impacting families and discover how innovative gap cover products can provide essential outpatient support. As we reach the year's halfway point, many South Africans are beginning to feel the financial pinch, not just from rising living costs, but also from depleted Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs). It's in these moments that the limitations of traditional gap cover become painfully clear. While most gap cover products are designed to bridge shortfalls during hospital admissions, they rarely support outpatient and day-to-day medical costs. The growing cost of outpatient care According to the Council for Medical Schemes 2022/2023 Annual Report, South Africans paid close to R40 billion out-of-pocket for healthcare, with nearly half of that going toward outpatient services, not hospital stays. These costs include essential visits to specialists, radiologists, and dentists, which are often not fully covered once MSAs are exhausted. Rethinking the role of Gap Cover Recognising this shortfall, some newer-generation gap cover products have introduced day-to-day benefits designed to step in once MSA or scheme sub-limits are depleted.
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