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There is no denying that the human experience of a man and a woman is not the same, and that when women shop for products and services they are not always using the same criteria as men. This remains true for medical aid. While medical aid is a purchase that we make in the unfortunate event that we fall ill or become hurt, we still want it to add value to our daily lives. So, if you are woman who is a member or you have female beneficiaries, here’s why Bestmed is the scheme for you.

1. Contraceptive benefits

Bestmed offers contraceptive benefits for all female beneficiaries of child-bearing age. This gives our members the resources they need to make the best decisions regarding their body. The benefit pays for a variety of contraceptive options including oral contraceptives/pills, 3-month injection, 6-month injection, the implant and intrauterine device (IUD). The benefit is limited to R2 205 per female beneficiary and is offered across all options. The contraceptive benefit is a preventative care benefit, and this means that it is not paid from your savings or your day-to-day benefits, but from Scheme risk. This can be a breath of fresh air for all the ladies that are not yet ready for children or who want to leave a year or two between the birth of their children. With Bestmed, the option is yours.

2. HPV vaccine and pap smears

Anyone who has been affected by cancer knows that prevention and early detection are so crucial to beating this dreaded disease. The 1^st step in the prevention is a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. This is because HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection and seven out of ten people will have HPV at some point in their lives. And while the virus can go away all by itself, it can also cause genital warts and cervical cancer in women. In fact, 80% of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV which is why vaccinating is so important. The HPV vaccine benefit is available for females between nine and 26 years old across all options.

A pap smear is a diagnostic procedure done to detect or rule out growths in a woman’s cervix. It is widely known to help detect cervical cancer which many women have to look out for. About one in every 42 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and it is the 2^nd most prevalent cancer among women in South Africa. The HPV vaccine and pap smear benefits are part of your preventative care benefits which means that they are paid from Scheme risk and not from your day-to-day limits or your savings. Pap smears are available for beneficiaries over 18 years old, once every 24 months on Beat1 to 4, Pace1 to 4 and Pulse2 and the HPV vaccine is available for females between nine and 26 years old across all options.

3. Mammograms and symmetrising surgery

A mammogram is a diagnostic procedure done to detect or rule out growths in a woman’s breasts and it is widely known to help in the detection of breast cancer. Approximately 19.4 million women aged 15 years and older live at-risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. It is the most prevalent cancer among women in South Africa and, as is the case with other cancers, early detection gives you the best chance of beating it. The mammogram benefit is available to female beneficiaries ages 40 and above, every 24 months on Beat2 to 4, and all the Pace options. The benefit is part of your preventative care benefits meaning it is paid from Scheme risk and not from your day-to-day limits or your savings.

In the unfortunate event that you are diagnosed with breast cancer, Bestmed doesn’t only offer support through our oncology care programme, but we also give you the option to switch to a higher benefit option (Pace3 and Pace4) which will give you access to enhanced oncology benefits and resources to help you fight against the dreaded disease. In addition, Bestmed also covers breast cancer related reconstructive surgery at 100% Scheme tariff. This may include symmetrising, partial, or total mastectomy on the unaffected (non-cancerous) breast of a breast cancer patient. The benefit is limited to R35 000, it is subject to pre-authorisation and it is offered on Pace2 to 4 and Pulse2.

These benefits give our members the most comprehensive cover possible for those with a history of the disease in their family and offers anyone who wants to stay on top of their health some peace of mind.

4. Maternity benefits and maternity care programme

Bestmed offers maternity benefits for members across all options so if you are a mommy-to-be you are in good company. The basic benefits offered on all options include:

• 6 antenatal consultations (minimum) at a family practitioner (FP), gynaecologist or midwife.
• 1 x 2D ultrasound scan at 1st trimester (between 10 to 12 weeks) at a FP, gynaecologist or radiologist.
• 1 x 2D ultrasound scan at 2nd trimester (between 20 to 24 weeks) at a FP, gynaecologist or radiologist.

For more comprehensive options like Beat3 and 4, Pace1 to 4 and the Pulse options, members also get:

• 3 additional antenatal consultations at a FP, gynaecologist, or midwife.
• 1 post-natal consultation at a FP, gynaecologist, or midwife.
• 9 fills of antenatal iron supplements
• 9 fills of antenatal folic acid

And, in a drive to reduce the number of unnecessary caesarean section procedures and offering medical professionals that can give you the support you need on your pregnancy journey, we also cover midwives and giving birth at birthing centres on the Bestmed network at 100% Scheme tariff. If you are wondering what the difference between a mid-wife and a obstetrics/gynaecologists (ob/gyn) is, and which one if best for your baby, read our article linked here to make the best option for you and baby.

Pregnant members and dependants also have access to our maternity care programme. The programme provides mommy-to-be with comprehensive information and services with the needs of the expecting parents in mind. The aim of the programme is to provide support, education and advice through all stages of your pregnancy, the birth, and the period after the birth. Members registered on this programme will receive:

• A welcome pack with an informative pregnancy book about the stages of pregnancy.
• Maternity/baby gift after the 12th week of your pregnancy.
• Access to a 24-hour medical advice line.
• Benefits through each phase of your pregnancy.

5. Communication

We, at Bestmed, believe we are in sync with our women’s preference for open and flowing communication channels, and we are committed to keeping our communication as transparent as possible. We are constantly driving to educating our members and keep you up to date with regards to matters relating to the Scheme and your wellness. This is not only to help you live your best life, but to remind you of your benefits as a Bestmed member and allow you to make informed decisions with regards to your healthcare and that of your family. Bestmed also plenty of channels through which to contact us including post, fax, telephone, email, SMS, LiveChat, social media, and walk-in centres.

6. A sense of security

The reason why we get medical aid is so that we can be sure that we are covered during our most vulnerable moments in life… This is something that many women look for in many aspects of their lives such as their home, their partner, and their work. With Bestmed, you can be sure of the fact that not only will we have you covered when life happens to you, but that you will still be covered when life happens to our country’s economy. Bestmed has been able to maintain single digit increases for the last three (3) years despite our strained economy and our solvency ratio is healthy at 31% which is 6% more than is required by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS). This means that we able to pay our members’ claims even through a massive unforeseen increase in claims such as the one caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

At Bestmed we make sure that we keep the Scheme stable and reliable and offer our members the best benefits to meet your particular needs as a woman and caregiver at the most affordable subscriptions. This way, we can do our best to give our members the best healthcare and give you and your loved ones a sense of security in what can often be a difficult world for women to navigate.