Joining your employer
Employer policy
It is compulsory to belong to one of the Western Cape Blood Service selected medical schemes – Bonitas or Fedhealth – or provide proof that you belong to your spouse’s medical scheme. Contributions are a payroll deduction. If you join one of these medical schemes within 90 days of your employment date, there will be no waiting periods or penalties imposed on your membership for you and your immediate family. Underwriting may apply to special dependants.
Gap Cover is offered on a voluntary basis at a lower group rate. Contributions are a payroll deduction. Waiting periods may apply to pre-existing conditions.
The employer policy confirms all the Western Cape Blood Service guidelines and rules regarding your healthcare arrangements. The subsidy benchmark for 2025 is R7 198, which is the maximum 60% that the Service will subsidise.
Compare medical scheme options
The selected Western Cape Blood Service schemes are Bonitas or Fedhealth. There are many different options within the two medical schemes offered, in terms of affordability and health needs. Use this tool to filter and compare the options that are most appropriate for you and your family.
Note: There is currently a window period for Bonitas/Fedhealth members and their existing dependants to switch schemes without the imposition of waiting periods, exclusions or new late joiner penalties effective 1 January 2025.
How to use the tool
- The rates are automatically calculated for the main member.
- Select “add dependant” to add spouse, adult(s), or child(ren).
- Answer the three questions relating to hospital and day-to-day cover.
- Select your budget range using the sliding scale.
- The option comparison tool will start generating your contribution and order based on benefit richness.
- By selecting “Group by plan type”, the table will group the plans allowing you to expand and collapse the groupings.
- To view further detailed information about the plans, select the required plans by clicking on each row. Once completed, click the “View Comparison” button.
- To revert to the list of plans, click the “Back to Selection” button.
Gap cover
Gap cover is a top up insurance that can be added to your medical scheme to cover specialist in hospital shortfalls, co-payments in hospital, cancer shortfalls and more…
Admed Gap is the preferred gap cover provider available to Western Cape Blood Service employees. Membership is voluntary and monthly contributions are collected via payroll. A general 3-month general waiting period, 9 month waiting period on pre-existing conditions and 12 months on pregnancy and cancer, may apply.
Group Rate for Western Cape Blood Service employees as from 1 January 2025:
Chronic medicine and disease management
If you have been diagnosed with a chronic condition e.g., hypertension, diabetes or an illness (e.g., oncology, dialysis), you will need to register the condition with 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.
Forms
Each provider has various forms that you may need to complete to ensure you are registered as a member.
Once completed, please send your form to your HR Representative.
If you are joining the medical scheme within 90 days of your employment date
If you are already a member of one of the existing medical schemes and you need to transfer this to your new employer
Chronic application form