A cancer diagnosis can be devastating — medically, emotionally, and financially. While medical aids do offer oncology benefits under South Africa’s Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs), they don’t always cover everything.
Costs like experimental treatments, newer therapies, or special recovery needs may not be paid for — especially if not approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).
This creates a major gap, forcing many families to dip into savings or go into debt just to survive the process.
How Life Insurance Helps in a Crisis
Adding critical illness cover to your life insurance helps manage these unexpected costs.
You get a lump sum payout if you meet the definition for major illnesses like:
- Cancer
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s
This payout can cover high-end scans, alternative treatment, or home recovery expenses. It doesn’t trigger on diagnosis alone — but when you qualify, the support can be life-changing.
Also consider income protection, which helps if you can’t work due to illness. This keeps your household running while you focus on recovery.
Be Proactive About Your Health and Finances
Staying healthy starts with regular screenings. Depending on your age and gender, you may need:
- Pap smears and mammograms (women)
- Prostate exams (men)
- Colonoscopies
- Mole mapping
Early detection improves treatment success. But financial planning is just as critical. Meet with a financial adviser to review your needs and make sure you’re covered.
Financial Strength Gives You Options
Thousands of South Africans have used their life and illness cover to beat the odds. It gives them access to better care and lets them focus on recovery — not bank balances.
As Momentum Life Insurance’s Joretha Bothma says, financial readiness is part of your health journey. Without it, recovery becomes harder.
“Your health is your most precious possession. You should be able to focus on it when you need it most, without worrying about the cost.
