Changing your health cover
Changing dependants
You may add or remove dependants at any time during the year. New spouses and newborn babies added within 90 days (Discovery Health Medical Scheme / Remedi) and 30 days (Bonitas) of the event can join without underwriting (no waiting periods) whereas other new dependants may receive underwriting.
Special dependants e.g., parents may only be added if they are financially dependent on the main member and subject to the medical scheme rules and your employer policy.
Please use the forms tab to obtain the correct form.
Changing an option and/or scheme
Bonitas allow option changes during the year, within 30 days of a life changing event/diagnosis (e.g., cancer diagnosis, divorce). Discovery Health Medical Scheme allows specified downgrades during the year. It is important to note that moving to a lower plan may result in an amount owing to the Scheme if you have spent more from your Personal/Medical Savings Account than the amount contributed at the time of the downgrade.
Remedi members will need to apply with strong motivation for any plan changes during a year.
All other upgrades and downgrades and scheme changes are only allowed at the end of each year effective 1 January of the following year. See the Year End Option Changes Card.
Employees on Bonitas or Discovery Health Medical Scheme may join Remedi, effective 1 January 2025 without penalties. Remedi members may not join Discovery Health Medical Scheme or Bonitas. Employees may join the KaeloGap any time during the year.
Chronic medicine and disease management
If you have been diagnosed with a chronic condition e.g., hypertension, diabetes or an illness (e.g., oncology, kidney failure), you will need to register this on your medical scheme. Medical schemes require you to complete a process to ensure registration on the programmes. It is advisable to obtain a membership number and then submit your application for chronic and disease registration.
Children becoming adults
Bonitas will charge child dependant rates until age 24 on receipt of proof of studying. If the child is not studying, adult contribution rates will be charged in the month following the 21st birthday.
Discovery Health Medical Scheme will charge adult contribution rates from the 1st of the month following the 21st birthday.
Remedi will charge adult dependant contribution rates from the 1st of the month following the 21st birthday.
If a dependant is over the age of 21, but not over the age of 26 and is a registered student at a higher education institution & financially dependent on main member, child dependant contribution rates will also be payable as well as for a dependant over the age of 21, who is mentally or physically disabled.
Changing your personal details
It is advisable to change your address, contact and bank details directly with your medical scheme. Only changes that have a financial impact on your monthly contribution need to be made through Heineken or your employer.
Employer policy
Heineken’s policy outlines the company’s rules about changing your scheme, option, dependants and more.