You will get to a point in your life when you start thinking about your health. It may be when you say, ‘I do,’ or when your first child is born. Maybe there was an accident or health care. It doesn’t matter what it is; at some point, you will have to choose a type of health care – medical aid or health insurance. They sound similar, but don’t they? Not at all. Even though the general public uses these terms interchangeably, they are different products and cater to different needs. Many consumers make uninformed decisions due to confusion between these differences. How well do you understand medical insurance and medical aid? Come on, let’s find out.
Medical Aid vs. Medical Insurance
You need to understand that medical insurance plans and medical aid schemes have different cover options. It is common for consumers to overlook how the benefits differ when they look at the costs. Our goal is to help you make a wise decision. To make an informed decision, you must know the facts.
Medical Aid
In Malaysia, the Medical Schemes Act governs all medical aid programs. The plans must follow a list of rules and regulations, from standard-rate fees to the provision of certain minimum benefits prescribed by law. A list of in-hospital procedures is also offered, along with treatment for chronic conditions. They charge a premium to members, and the schemes cannot discriminate based on age or health. Coverage can be comprehensive, but it does not include disability resulting from personal accidents or limb loss. Additionally, medical aid schemes are not authorized to cover death and funeral costs.
Medical Insurance
On the other hand, a medical insurance policy pays a lump sum based on a defined set of risks rather than covering specific treatment. The procedure is not required to include coverage for the prescribed minimum benefits. In other words, medical insurance provides a list of stated benefits with money. The plans offer day-to-day healthcare as a preventative service, and specialist services are usually restricted. These plans can cover death and funeral expenses as part of their insurance coverage. In addition, they can provide coverage for accidents and emergencies within clearly defined boundaries. Here are three areas where medical insurance and medical aid differ:
Benefits Versus Price
Pricing is the most noticeable difference between the two types of insurance policy. The monthly premiums for medical aid schemes tend to be higher, despite their lower prices. As a result, Malaysians struggle to pay for medical aid. In contrast, health insurance is significantly more affordable, but it still has limitations regarding what is covered. If you need to decide which is the best for you, you should always think about your health needs.
Cover Types
Medical aid must cover a wide range of treatments and conditions. By contrast, a medical insurance plan specifies its benefits and provides a defined amount for them. In general, medical insurance policies cover only the basics of health care, such as doctor visits and short-term medications. On the other hand, a comprehensive health insurance plan may cover hospital care in an accident or emergency, up to a specific amount.
Hospital And Chronic Benefits
A medical aid plan usually covers a wide range of in-hospital treatments, depending on the project. However, there are often gaps between the rates charged by medical practitioners and those set by medical aids. (Find out how medical gap cover can help you overcome the shortfall. Medical insurance does not cover hospital benefits.
In most cases, hospitalization only covers specified costs for accidents and emergencies and charges members extra if costs exceed the limits. Additionally, medical aids are required to cover chronic medication, whereas medical insurance is not.
