Joining your employer
Employer policy
It is compulsory for permanent salaried staff to join either the Discovery or Momentum Health Medical Scheme, unless they are covered on their spouse/partner’s medical scheme (not own/parent’s medical scheme/health insurance) or if they are a member of an international medical scheme offering cover in South Africa*. Employees joining within 90 days from their date of permanent employment will not be medically underwritten, which means that they will not have a 3-month general waiting period, 12-month pre-existing condition exclusion or a late joiner penalty.
New employees moving to South Africa that apply within 30 days and take up cover within 90 days of their medical insurance policy will also be accepted without medical underwriting. This will only apply where an existing medical insurance policy was issued prior to the employee joining the South African office.
Medical Scheme membership via Werksmans or your spouse/partner’s medical scheme or international insurance is subsidised by the company. The current subsidy is R1650.
*Proof to be submitted on an annual basis/when required.
Gap Cover is offered on a voluntary basis at a discounted group rate through Turnberry. Waiting periods and exclusions may apply.
Compare medical scheme options
The selected Werksmans Attorneys schemes are Discovery Health or Momentum Health. Contributions are a payroll deduction on a cost to company basis. There are many different medical scheme options within the 2 medical schemes 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.
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.
There is currently a window period for Discovery or Momentum members and their existing dependants to switch schemes effective 1 January 2025 and for new members to join effective 1 February, 1 March or 1 April without the imposition of waiting periods, exclusions of late joiner penalties. For more information on the schemes, please click on the below 2025 Discovery and Momentum benefit brochures. For specific plan guides, please click on the Brochures & Forms tab on the home page.
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 or on MRI/CT scans, accidental casualty and more…
Turnberry is the preferred gap cover provider available to Werksmans employees and members may select between Turnberry Launch or Synergy. Membership is voluntary and monthly contributions are collected via Werksmans payroll. Waiting periods are waived if you take up cover within 30 days of joining Werksmans, otherwise the following waiting periods may apply:
- A 3-month general waiting period applies to all benefits (except in the event of an accident, which occurred while on the Policy). In the event the commencement date of the Policy is the same as the commencement date of the Medical Scheme, no 3-month general waiting period will apply to Medical Expense Shortfall Cover (increasing the medical rate up to 600%).
- A 10-month waiting period on pregnancy/childbirth.
- A 12-month waiting period on investigations, treatment or surgery for hysterectomy, hysteroscopies, endometriosis, ovarian cysts and fibroids (myomectomy), muscular-skeletal (except in the event of an accident, which occurred while on the Policy), tonsillectomy, myringotomy, grommets, adenoids, wisdom teeth, hernia, cataracts, gastroscopies, colonoscopies, cancer, nasal and sinus.
There is currently a window period for existing employees to take out Werksmans Attorneys Gap Cover without waiting periods effective 1 January, 1 February or 1 March 2025 at the below discounted group rates.
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 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.
Loyalty programmes
Your medical scheme may have a wellness and loyalty programme that provides rewards, discounts and benefits for leading a healthier lifestyle. This may come at an additional cost.
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 medicalaid@digioutsource.com.
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.
Gap cover application form
Chronic application form.
Momentum: To apply for the chronic benefit, please ask your treating doctor or pharmacist to phone Momentum on 0860 11 78 59.
Loyalty programme application form.