Best expat health insurance quotes in South Africa

South Africa has a two-tier healthcare system: a government-subsidized public service and a private sector for those with private medical insurance. The quality of healthcare in South Africa is quite high for the African continent but medium to low on a global scale. For this reason, the vast majority of expats moving to South Africa take out private coverage, ensuring more comprehensive and higher quality care.

Most expats use private medical facilities in South Africa, and you will not be able to access these without private or international health insurance. While South Africa’s public health system is considered the best in Africa, it is some way behind the quality provided by the private sector. Without private health insurance, you may encounter longer wait times, less choice in terms of doctors and specialists, and less flexibility.

It’s best to start your private health insurance policy just before you arrive in South Africa. If you have a coverage gap between your insurance at home and your new policy, this could leave you with out-of-pocket expenses in case of emergency.

Usually private health insurance policies are on an individual basis. If you want to cover a partner or family members, you can add them on when you build your policy. If you have several dependents, it’s worth shopping around for the best family plan.

When you first design a health insurance plan, you can choose what you will pay yourself and what the provider will pay. Which treatments your plan covers depends on if you’ve met your deductible, whether you have a provider network, and other factors.

Insurance premiums are based on age, medical history, level of coverage needed, and whether you include extra benefits. In general, healthcare in South Africa is relatively expensive for Africa, but more affordable than in Europe, North America, or East Asia.

The claims process in South Africa varies between insurers. Some deal directly with healthcare providers and pay bills on your behalf while others require you to pay upfront and send an invoice after. If you’re concerned about having to pay upfront, look for a provider who can sort out claims directly.