What is the waiting period for Medical Insurance?

Get Medical Insurance explores waiting periods for Medical Insurance.

Here are a few things you should know about Medical Insurance and waiting periods.

What is a waiting period?

A waiting period is the amount of time that must pass before certain benefits are available. Your insurance policy contains specific details on your waiting period. Your waiting period can vary, depending on the insurer and the insurance policy you choose. 

Some common types of benefits that may have a waiting period include coverage for: 

• Pre-existing conditions.
• Certain Medical procedures.
• Chronic medicine.

Why do waiting periods for Medical Insurance exist?

Waiting periods exist to prevent people from signing up for a plan only when they need medical care. This practice can drive up the cost of coverage for everyone. A waiting period can encourage people to get Medical Insurance when they are healthy. Encouraging people to sign up for Medical Insurance helps to reduce risk for the insurer. Reducing risk for an insurer helps to keep premiums more affordable. Waiting periods can help to prevent fraud and abuse of the insurance system.

What kind of waiting periods does Get Medical Insurance have?

Waiting periods on all Get Medical Insurance policies are as follows:

• 3 month general waiting period.
• 12 month condition specific waiting period.

Waiting periods are determined when you sign up for Medical Insurance. Waiting periods may be applied or waived. Waiting periods will not be applied to:

• Newborn children, and eligible children: We waive your waiting period if you register your child within 90 days of their birth. For older children, you must add your child within 90 days of signing up.  

• Your eligible spouse: We waive your waiting period if you register your spouse within 90 days of your marriage. A waiting period applies if you do not register your dependent within 90 days.

What are the waiting periods when moving from another medical insurer?

We waive any waiting periods if you have had previous cover. You must provide proof of previous Medical Insurance or Medical Scheme cover. Your previous cover must have been for at least 12 months, with less than 3 months break in cover. Otherwise, a waiting period applies to your Medical Insurance policy. If you have spent less than 3 months with your previous policy, a general waiting period will also be applied to all benefits.

Don’t wait until you need coverage. Get a Medical Insurance policy while you’re healthy. 

Want to know more about how Get Medical Insurance can help you get access to private healthcare? 

‍Click here for an obligation-free quote.