The Difference Between Medical Aids and Health Insurance

Investing in the future of your health is imperative to having peace of mind for when you need it most. Thus you need to make sure that you invest wisely and that you plan ahead for when the unforeseen happens.

But planning for your future health is not as easy as it might seem, as there are a lot of factors to take into consideration. Firstly you will need to choose between a medical aid plan and a health insurance plan. Both of these have their own merits and also their own cons that you will need to be aware of.

Here is a brief look at the difference between a medical aid plan and health insurance and what they can offer you to give you peace of mind for your future health and wellbeing.

Why You Need a Medical Aid

A medical aid will give you peace of mind for when you get sick that you will be able to pay for your treatment and that you will be well looked after. It will provide you money and treatment for when you need to go to the doctor or the dentist or even when you need serious medical attention.

Thus paying a monthly fee towards your medical aid will pay off in the end when you get sick and need to be hospitalised and treated. Thus paying in every month will pay off when you need it most. Otherwise you might find yourself in deep trouble when you can least afford it.

A lot of people think that paying for it every month is a waste of time and that they will be able to save a lot of money by not having a medical aid. But this cannot be further from truth because when you need it most you will be covered by your medical aid, and if you need serious treatment all those months of paying in will definitely pay off in the end.

What Health Insurance Can Offer You

Health insurance is different form a medical aid in that it only covers specific treatments and illnesses and you will be able to choose which ones you want cover for. This means that health insurance can end up being much cheaper than a medical aid, but it also means that you will not be guaranteed cover for all medical treatments and illnesses and that you might have to end up paying for them yourself.

Thus you very carefully need to consider what your medical need are before you decide on which one you will want to use. If you do not get sick very often you might want to invest in a health insurance plan that gives you cover for medical emergencies only. This way you will still be covered and you will end up saving a lot of money each month.

The Importance of Immunization Awareness

As summer winds down and you enjoy the remaining warm weather this autumn, keep immunization awareness in mind. While getting a shot may not be your most relished errand, it is going to be a whole lot more pleasant than ending up with measles, diphtheria, rubella, or any of the countless other completely preventable diseases that Americans still suffer from every year. Take time this fall to ask your doctor what immunizations you and your children should be getting to stay protected.

Back to School Protection 

As you get your kids ready for back to school, remember that you're sending them off to be exposed to tons of people (which is great) and all of the germs those people potentially carry (which is not so great). Childhood vaccinations follow a very strict schedule, so staying up to date will be fairly simple as long as you are aware of what they need. Children under six require a series of shots that give them protection against measles, polio, chicken pox, and hepatitis. Once they are in their preteens, at age 11 or 12, they will have to get shots for tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, and meningitis. Pre-teens and teens should also be immunized against HPV (or human papillomavirus). Teens of age 16 need booster shots for meningitis.

Adults Need Shots Too 

If you have kids, your health may not always get enough attention, but in order to keep taking care of them, you have got to stay healthy too. Every 10 years, you should be getting a booster to protect you against tetanus and diphtheria. It can be tough to remember, because you probably don't have a school reminding you what you need in order to reenroll, but if you feel as though it has been almost ten years, you should check with your doctor to see if it is time. And, if you are 65 or older, you should have already gotten a one-time pneumonia shot.

The Importance of Preventative Care 

Those that stay the healthiest are oftentimes those that invest the most into their health before problems develop. Thanks to the developments of modern medicine, disease and illness prevention is easier than ever. The sicknesses that used to haunt the nation, like polio, small pox, and influenza, now really never need to occur, so long as we take the time to get the shots we need. With most health insurance plans, immunizations are not only offered but encouraged, as being properly immunized saves money in the long run by keeping your healthy. So, this fall, stay smart and protect yourself with the right immunizations.