All medical aids in South Africa have a rule – no person can be refused membership based on their age or health status but pre-existing conditions can be excluded from cover for the first 12 months. It is one way in which medical aids can ensure that new members do not join the scheme and drain the pool of funds contributed by the existing members over time. It is not discriminatory as some people may feel. It does not matter whether you are pregnant, have diabetes or are HIV-positive. It is just an across the board rule to ensure that only people who are contributing to a scheme as a loyal member have access to the full range of benefits. Any person can become a member of the medical aid and therefore any person can enjoy these benefits.

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