What is the process for qualifying for health insurance?

Did you know that in South Africa, every citizen is entitled to some form of health insurance thanks to the National Health Service? The money is funded by Social Security and National Insurance funds. It sounds like an amazing concept right?

However these coverages are usually quite poor and basic, not staying up to par with the intense medical advancements and costs associated with the moving technology.

A lot of South African businesses are doing there part, by instating health insurance coverage for all their employees. These employees are not only granted with compensation each week for their work, but also insurance coverage that helps pay for basic health costs and more serious issues.

Employees who not receive coverage from their employee are forced to seek health insurance privately. Employees either take their chances with state provided health insurance or contact private health insurance agencies and discus their options with a broker.

After you contact an insurance broker of your choice, the agency will appoint a doctor’s physical which you must attend. Doctor’s physicals allow the doctor to analyze and judge how your body is operating and what state of health it is in. The medical report will outline the state of your vital organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver.

Some people hate physicals because of the personal questions the doctor will ask the patient. The patient might get offended, but unfortunately it’s part of the physical process. The doctor will ask questions about smoking, drinking, and drug use as well as personal diet and fitness questions. The personal weight of the patient is always heavily monitored and commented on.

The doctor will also study hereditary health problems in your family. The reason doctors do this is to predict whether or not you could experience some of the same health conditions. The doctor also must study your occupation and the levels of stress that are associated with it. The working environment and levels of stress play large roles in your health.

The culmination of the physical will result in the doctor sending off the final medical report to the insurance company. Experts on the staff will discuss and review your medical information, including the state of your organs, your personal information, and family history. All these factors are weighed into your quote.

Unless you are extremely overweight, abuse your body in one way or another, or have extreme past problems and health concerns ? an insurance broker is likely to accept.

Insurance brokers want to reward individuals that take an interest in their personal health and want to keep an healthy, active lifestyle.

Graham McKenzie is the content Syndication Manager at insurance123.co.zaSouth Africa’s leading Health Insurance information portal.