As a member of Medihelp, you can register the following individuals as your dependants if you are responsible for their care:
- Spouse or life partner (same or opposite gender)
- Children: This includes biological children, stepchildren, adopted children, foster children, or any children placed in your temporary safe care.
- Parents
- Siblings
- Grandchildren
This wide range of eligible dependants ensures that families can access essential healthcare coverage.
When Do Dependants Become Active Members?
New dependants can become active members of your Medihelp plan immediately upon registration. However, newborns must be registered within 90 days of birth to ensure continuous coverage. Dependants are enrolled either on the first day of the month following application approval or on a future date selected by the principal member.
Age Limits for Child Dependants
One of the most significant aspects of Medihelp’s policy is the age limit for child dependants. Here’s what you need to know:
- Standard Child Dependant Rate: Children can benefit from child dependant rates until they reach 26 years old on all Medihelp plans, with one exception.
- MedElect Plan: For the MedElect plan, the age limit is 21 years.
- Legislative Considerations: Adopted and foster children can also be registered as child dependants until they are 21 years old, in line with national legislation.
This structure allows families to maintain coverage for their children during critical periods, including higher education or when transitioning to full independence.
Additional Benefits
Medihelp also offers some financial advantages for families with multiple children. Under the MedVital, MedVital Elect, MedAdd, MedAdd Elect, MedPrime, and MedPrime Elect plans, families pay for only two children under 18 years, while additional children receive free medical aid cover. This policy is beneficial for larger families, easing the financial burden of medical aid.
How to Register Dependants
Enrolling dependants on your Medihelp plan is straightforward. You can do so by:
- Logging into Medihelp’s Member Zone to download the registration form.
- Visiting the Medihelp to access the registration form.
- Calling the Customer Care Centre at 086 0100 678.
- Sending an email to newbusiness@medihelp.co.za.
All dependants will be registered on the same Medihelp plan as the principal member, ensuring consistent medical aid coverage across the family.
Conclusion
Understanding the age limits for dependants on Medihelp is essential for effective financial and healthcare planning. With the ability to register children up to 26 years old (or 21 for specific plans), Medihelp ensures that families have access to the necessary healthcare services as their dependants transition into adulthood.