Private Ambulance Services: Are you covered?

[Christopher Brunsdon]

With all the talk of ICE & SweatSafe, I also got thinking about private ambulance services. We have a local company who are offering a service at a monthly fee depending on your needs.

 

Like other cover, its a grudge expense till you need it. I always wrote it off till I by chance saw how cheap it is. For our household its R30 p/m but it only covers callouts to my area which is fine by me as I've got a higher chance of needing their assistance in my home-town than elsewhere.

 

What got me thinking was a friend who has had some bad luck with accidents and last year he had to fork out R3500 for one of these private services.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

If you are not covered by your medical aid then yeah definatley I would take it out.

 

Like any insurance it will always be a grudge purchase until you need it, then it could very well save you thousands.

 

......On the same note, what do you think of helicopter evacuation insurance? I have sort of been musing this one for a while, one of my C.Card companies has an arrangement with SOS for helicopter evacuation for about 50 or 60 bucks a month, then there's Helivac for I think roughly 120 bucks a month, they both offer evacuation but with differant criteria, - theres probably others as well, I just need to decide if its necessary.

[Christopher Brunsdon]

Good point Grumpy. This bud of mine was also heli-vaced with his previous accident (its beyond a miracle that he survived that bike crash). In his case he was not billed, but one might get stuck in Pofadder and need an emergency flight to Cape Town - this happened to my boet in law who lives in Pofadder and ended up selling a house to cover his medical bills 2 years back. Some emergency heart surgery. He had no medical aid. His son had to race down to Cape Town in his Merc C-Class, full throttle, took them 5 hours of low flying (760km).

[Tankman]

Speak to me if you need Medical Aid or Hospital plan, they normally cover Ambulance, Helivac and some even international evacuation.

[Cassie]

OK so here is my dilemma....

 

Say I'm covered for heli evac / Ambo etc.

 

What if I'm in serious accident = unconcious and cannot produce the proper docs etc to have these services kick in??? Probabaly die on the scene without even being able to get to hospital in the "golden hour"??

 

Or does it work differently?

[Tankman]

You should still be provided with medical care, if it is that serious, you will be taken to the nearest hospital.

 

You will be billed afterwords. If you end up in a public hospital and they later find out that you have medical aid, you will be transferred to a private hospitality, normally at the expense of your medical aid.

[Tankman]

Just carry your Medical Aid card on you, in your wallet.

If you are unconscious they will normally check your wallet for ID and Medical details.

[urbanroyal]

This is all very interesting.. but what happens if I am injured and can't work for the next six weeks...I am a self employed tour guide...

 

What type of insurance can I get to cover loss of income for that short period like that ??

[Tankman]

You can get Income Protection!

Some companies offer a waiting period as little a 7 days for business owners.

 

So when you have been unable to work due to any medical reasons for longer than 7 days you can claim back those 7 days or for as long as you are unable to work.

[urbanroyal]

You can get Income Protection!

Some companies offer a waiting period as little a 7 days for business owners.

 

So when you have been unable to work due to any medical reasons for longer than 7 days you can claim back those 7 days or for as long as you are unable to work.

 

Thanks Tankman...I have some cover from Liberty life...just gotta make sure on that waiting period...

 

Any other companies you can recommend....

[Tankman]

Discovery offers a very competitive Income Continuation Benefit.

 

Should you become permanently disabled, you will receive an income until your selected retirement age 60 or 65 (up to 70 with Discovery)

 

Liberty offers a 7 day waiting period or 7 day backdated waiting period. Discovery's waiting period is 7 days backdated automatically.

Ill PM you, can look into your waiting periods with Liberty if you want me to.

[Tankman]

Over and above your income protection you can also add Overhead Expenses Benefit.

 

Should you be unable to continue working, the insured amount will pay out for 24 months to cover things like salaries (if you have staff obviously), rent, telephone, water & electricity, etc. Basically, all expenses related to running your business. You might want to hire someone to replace you for the time being.

 

This should give you enough time to establish if you are going to be able to continue your business while disabled or sell the business.

[Christopher Brunsdon]

@Tankman, but does Discovery Costal cover the services rendered by the ambulance company? I'm refering to the services at the scene and not the transport. I only see the statement of "If you need medically equipped transport, for example an ambulance or helicopter for a medical emergency, we will cover the costs from your Hospital Benefit, whether you are admitted to hospital or not."

[urbanroyal]

Discovery offers a very competitive Income Continuation Benefit.

 

Should you become permanently disabled, you will receive an income until your selected retirement age 60 or 65 (up to 70 with Discovery)

 

Liberty offers a 7 day waiting period or 7 day backdated waiting period. Discovery's waiting period is 7 days backdated automatically.

Ill PM you, can look into your waiting periods with Liberty if you want me to.

 

 

Great .. I'll definitely look into this..

 

Tx

[Tankman]

@Tankman, but does Discovery Costal cover the services rendered by the ambulance company? I'm refering to the services at the scene and not the transport. I only see the statement of "If you need medically equipped transport, for example an ambulance or helicopter for a medical emergency, we will cover the costs from your Hospital Benefit, whether you are admitted to hospital or not."

 

Yes those cost will be covered by the medical aid.

Discovery has agreements in place with most ambulance services.

[Pusher]

Just carry your Medical Aid card on you, in your wallet.

If you are unconscious they will normally check your wallet for ID and Medical details.

Before or after it's stolen!