What is covered in terms of women’s health insurance?
Bloom offers Health4Me Bronze, Health4Me Silver and Health4Me Gold health insurance plans designed to cover the most important types of women’s health care in terms of day-to-day benefits, pregnancy and maternity, in-hospital emergencies and medical screening tests.
How can Health4Me support you?
1. Day to day benefits
The exact particulars of each benefit will differ slightly according to your particular plan and its limitations, but most plans include GP visits and in-room procedures, as well as basic pathology and radiology at an approved Momentum CareCross Network. There are also specialist benefits of up to R2000 and acute or over-the-counter medication dispensary in accordance with the Momentum CareCross Network’s formulary. Basic dentistry and optometry is available for Gold plan members and the day to day maternity benefits include antenatal GP visits at one of the Momentum CareCross Hospital Networks. EAP services offer professional counselling for those in need.
2. Hello Doctor
Today’s woman is busy. We know you have responsibilities and that your time is precious. That’s why we started the telephonic Hello Doctor service to save you time and money. You can now receive expert advice from qualified doctors without even having to attend a physical, face-to-face consultation. Hello Doctor is available to provide you with free access to medical advice, right from your cell phone, anytime, anywhere. This includes unlimited telephonic consultations and access to mobile/online medical information.
3. More4Me
Take advantage of the More4Me benefit when you have you’re on the Health4Me health insurance plan for women. You can earn up to 1GB of data and R80 airtime per month with this deal that incentivises our female members with monthly airtime based on their Healthy Heart Score. The More4Me benefit is however, only available to those ladies who also join Multiply within 12 months of signing-up.
How to plan your pregnancy if you have health insurance
Health insurance is different from medical aid in that it provides less in-hospital cover than a medical aid plan. But that doesn’t mean you need to worry if you’re expecting. You can still benefit from top-quality pregnancy and maternity benefits on a health insurance plan.
If you choose to deliver your baby in a hospital, the plans offer a payout of between R10,000 – R20,000 (plan dependent) for the period that you are hospitalised for the childbirth, regardless of the number of days you’re in the hospital. In addition to this, the health insurance plans also provide a hospital cash benefit and maternity lump sum benefit of between R500-R1000 paid per member per day (provided the hospital stay is no longer than 48 hours). Waiting periods do apply for these benefits.
Health assessments for women – prevention is better than cure
Prevention is better than cure. That’s why medical screening tests for women are very important. A check-up or health assessment can detect early chronic disease risk and this can improve your chances for recovery and maintenance with prescribed treatment plans should your screening tests indicate that you’re at risk for any disease.
The type of tests you take will depend on your age, family medical history and specific risk factors. Bloom’s health insurance plan covers a number of essential medical screening tests and check-ups for women each year. These can be taken at a Dis-Chem, Clicks, MediRite or Pick n Pay Pharmacy clinic. Some of these tests include:
1. HIV screening test and support
Reports prove the prevalence of HIV is higher amongst women than men and can be present in the body for several years before symptoms start to show. So, it’s essential to have an annual HIV/AIDS test. Early diagnosis can assist in boosting your immune system and managing the virus. Antiretroviral medication is provided in accordance with the Momentum CareCross Network prescribed HIV medication formulary. Pre-authorisations and waiting periods apply.
2. Blood pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension occurs when your blood pressure is consistently high. If you have high blood pressure it means you have an increased risk of developing a chronic disease, like atherosclerosis, which can cause a heart attack or stroke. Get an annual blood pressure check to make sure you’re not at risk. If your blood pressure is too high, we recommend making lifestyle changes, like following a healthy diet to keep your body mass index at the right levels or by making smart lifestyle choices.
3. Cholesterol levels
Get your annual cholesterol check-up, especially if you’re over the age of 40, to make sure you’re not at risk for cardiovascular disease. High cholesterol levels increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Those at risk include women with a high BMI, poor diet and lifestyle habits; and those who have a family history of the condition. We advise making adjustments to keep healthy.
4. Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where your blood sugar levels become elevated due to impaired production or utilisation of insulin. Type II Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness, kidney disease, heart disease and stroke for women. Those women who are most at risk include those with a high BMI, poor diet and those with a family history of the disease. An annual blood-glucose test is used to test for Diabetes.
5. Glaucoma
Get an annual eye check-up to test for glaucoma. This is a very serious condition where there is a build-up of pressure inside the eye. If this is left untreated or is not detected, it could lead to irreparable damage to the optic nerve, which can result in blindness. We recommended that all women have an eye exam before the age of 40 or earlier if this condition runs in your family.
6. Body weight
There is a direct link between obesity and chronic disease. Critical illnesses, like heart disease and diabetes can be prevented if your body mass index is at the correct weight level. Unfortunately, reports indicate that at least half of South Africans are either overweight or obese. Get your annual weight, height and waist circumference check to make sure you place in the correct weight measurement levels. If not, we strongly advise making dietary and lifestyle changes to ensure your wellness and longevity.
How much does health insurance for women cost?
At Bloom we’re committed to offering only the best health practices and guidelines for women’s health insurance. Health insurance has the advantage of being more affordable and flexible than most medical aid plans, which is perfect for single women or young mothers looking to avoid the burden of high premiums. If you earn at least R8,000 per month (but less than R30,000), you will qualify for comprehensive health insurance for just R524 per month.
Contact Bloom for more information about health insurance for women
Taking out health insurance is an investment in your future. Make sure you’re covered for medical emergencies, essential screening tests and pregnancy. If you would like to find out more, you can contact one of our dedicated consultants who can provide you with Health4Me medical insurance quotes.
Medical Content Disclaimer
You understand and acknowledge that all users of the Bloom website are responsible for their own medical care, treatment, and oversight. All content provided on the website, is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Neither is it intended to be a substitute for an independent professional medical opinion, judgement, diagnosis or treatment.
Dr Koranteng-Peprah
Gynaecologist & Obstetrician
MBChB, University of Cape Town (2008)
This content has been reviewed and approved by Doctor Koranteng-Peprah, a medical professional specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Dr Koranteng-Peprah is a member of the following healthcare bodies in South Africa:
