Circumcision

Question: My son is 5-years-old and we would like to get him circumcised. Will my medical aid pay for the procedure?

Answer: You will need to ensure that your son is covered as a dependant under your name so that he will be able to get medical attention regardless of the illness or situation. With the relevant contribution to your medical scheme, your son will be able to be listed as a dependant. Your medical scheme may require proof of such dependency and appropriate additional contributions in respect of such extended cover must be expected. If your son is not listed as one of your dependants under your medical scheme, it will be impossible for him to receive any attention by a medical practitioner, unless you pay for him cash.

Circumcision is treated just like any other minor surgical procedure. By this, it is meant that one is not required to be hospitalized for this procedure unless there are unforeseen circumstances that may require hospitalization.

So, yes the procedure will be covered by the scheme depending on the medical scheme option that you have chosen or that you can afford, all expenses will be paid accordingly. The next thing that you will have to do is to contact your medical scheme. An operator will always be ready to answer your question. Have your membership card ready at all times. You will be allocated an operator and you will be able to ask whether or not the option that you have taken out will qualify you to cover your son. 

It is also advisable that you contact your medical practitioner and find out the necessary information regarding your medical scheme and the procedure.

FACT: Circumcision is said to be one of the world’s measures to prevent HIV/AIDS as it reduces the chances of infection/contraction by 60%.