![\"Cancer](\"https:\/\/turnberry.co.za\/2027\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Cancer.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
FA News \u2013 17th<\/sup> May 2022<\/p>\n A cancer diagnosis can have a severe impact on the emotional health of patients and their families, often leading to feelings of anxiety, stress and even depression.<\/p>\n But the stress of a dreaded cancer diagnosis can be further exacerbated by the devasting impact that the high cost of treatment can have on a patient\u2019s finances \u2013 something few people consider until they find themselves in this situation.<\/p>\n According to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA),\u00a0115 000 South Africans are diagnosed with cancer each year<\/strong><\/a>, yet many cancers are survivable with early diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, cancer treatment can be very expensive and costs can quickly escalate even for patients who are on a medical aid.<\/p>\n \u201cThe high costs of cancer treatment essentially comes down to the fact that you are paying off years of research which goes into the development of these drugs that are aimed at specific types of cancer. In addition, the research related to the clinical trials and tests further adds to the costs,\u201d says Tony Singleton, CEO of Turnberry Management Risk Solutions.<\/p>\n \u201cIn most cases, it is only when someone is diagnosed with cancer that they start querying what is covered by their medical aid. So, it is absolutely vital that medical aid members be aware what their cancer benefits are, so that they can use the appropriate gap cover to top them up.\u201d<\/p>\n He explains that patients often experience shortfalls in their cancer treatment cover when they reach a certain threshold and a co-payment scheme kicks in, or when they undergo surgical procedures in the course of their treatment, as most surgeons and anaesthetists charge above medical rates.<\/p>\n \u201cShortfalls on surgeries and other hospitalisations is where the costs really mount up. Any surgeries performed are not covered by the cancer benefits, but by the in-hospital benefits of a medical aid policy. But there is a limit and this is where gap cover comes in,\u201d says Singleton.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen a patient is diagnosed with cancer, they must register with their medical aid\u2019s oncology programme. They must then ensure that every treatment procedure is registered and approved by the medial aid, every step of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n He says that if a patient is on a top gap cover plan, they would typically qualify for a once-off cover payment on their first cancer diagnosis. The gap cover then kicks in once they reach their limit for cancer treatment on their medical aid. With most big medical aid schemes there is usually a 20% co-payment once the limit has been reached.<\/p>\n Patients also often go wrong with pre-authorisation, which is based on specific ICD-10 codes. This is an internationally recognised alphanumeric diagnostic code system that translates medical conditions into specific codes. They allow the likes of medical aids and gap cover providers to understand the reasons for certain treatments, procedures and hospital admissions, and ensure that they pay from the correct pool of funds within your benefits.<\/p>\n \u201cOften when members submit accounts with the wrong ICD-10 codes, the expenses are often funded from their medical aid\u2019s day-to-day benefits until these run out. It\u2019s therefore crucial to ensure that the authorisation details correspond to what\u2019s on the accounts,\u201d says independent financial advisor and cancer survivor Joanne Stroebel.<\/p>\n Stroebel was diagnosed with cancer in July 2019. The fast-growing cancer started as a small benign tumour, but grew to 53mm in size within a six-week period, when she was diagnosed with stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer. She elected to have a double mastectomy and underwent 12 rounds of neoadjuvant chemotherapy before the procedure, followed by 25 sessions of radiation and two more surgeries. The total cost of her treatment has so far reached R450 000.<\/p>\n \u201cI was on a very basic hospital plan and all my cancer treatment was covered<\/a> in full, because the cancer was still in the organ of origin, so the treatment fell under the prescribed minimum benefit guidelines,\u201d says Stroebel.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, my gap cover came in when I had to pay for my surgeries, related hospital stays and scans, which resulted in a R70 000 shortfall. The gap cover paid the entire amount and I didn\u2019t spend a cent on my treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n As a cancer survivor, Stroebel has first-hand experience with what patients go through when diagnosed with cancer, and is able to guide her clients through the treatment process, ensuring that their finances are looked after. \u201cIf you are diagnosed with cancer, have a discussion with your broker. They can advise you and guide you to ensure that your treatment does not become a financial disaster.\u201d<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.fanews.co.za\/article\/healthcare\/6\/general\/1124\/the-importance-of-gap-cover-to-protect-you-from-the-devastating-costs-of-cancer-treatment\/34521<\/p>\n <\/p>\n https:\/\/getcovered.turnberry.co.za\/app\/1<\/a><\/p>\nKnow your benefits<\/h2>\n
Once-off payment<\/h2>\n
Covered in full<\/h2>\n
What is Gap Cover?<\/h2>\n