Page 26 - Kyalami Issue 4 December 2025

Kyalami Estates Corporate Brand Bible Design 26
3.0 Folder (Inner)
FINANCE

Healthcare Financial

Planning for Women

omen, generally, navigate UNDERSTANDING THE UNIQUE healthcare broker who can analyse your
a complex landscape when HEALTH RISKS current healthcare expenditure, family
it comes to healthcare Women face specific health risks that medical history, and any pre-existing
and finances. Statistics require targeted financial preparation. conditions can go a long way to ensuring
Wreveal that they typically Breast, ovarian, and cervical cancers can the correct balance in making a personal
live longer than men but often earn less result in significant medical expenses and choice. Remember, the cheapest option
throughout their careers. This combination potential loss of income as a result of is hardly ever the most cost-effective or
creates a perfect storm of financial long layoffs during treatment. Additionally, benefit-specific, if it leaves you exposed
vulnerability, particularly during retirement women are more susceptible to certain to significant out-of-pocket expenses or
years when healthcare needs increase and chronic conditions, including auto-immune exclusions when you need care most.
earning capacity is compromised. The longer diseases, musculo-skeletal conditions and
life expectancy that women enjoy also cardio-vascular disease, all of which come #2: Gap cover: Protecting against the
comes with increased financial demands. with significant treatment costs. These unexpected
More years of life often translate to more health realities underscore the importance Gap cover serves as your financial safety
years of potential healthcare expenses, of having the right healthcare coverage that net, covering the shortfall between what
making the need for comprehensive addresses women’s specific needs. medical schemes pay and what specialists
healthcare financial planning even more actually charge, primarily for in-hospital
critical. BUILDING A HEALTHCARE events. This difference can be substantial
FINANCIAL FOUNDATION – specialists and hospital charges can
Unfortunately, in South Africa, the #1: Medical scheme coverage: Your be up to 500% more than what medical
alternatives to private healthcare are primary defence scheme benefits pay. If your medical
not an option. When you factor in that Given South Africa’s deteriorating public scheme pays 200% of tariff but your
women are also more likely to take career healthcare landscape and the high costs specialist charges 500%, you’re personally
breaks or forego career advancement due of private medical care, medical scheme liable for that 300% difference. Recent
to caregiving responsibilities – whether coverage is essential. However, choosing data shows that the average “large gap
for raising children or ageing parents the right medical scheme requires claims” now sits between R40,000 and
– the income gaps become even more careful consideration of your specific R60,000 – amounts that could seriously
pronounced. circumstances. “Working with an accredited impact your cashflow and financial stability

24 Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 4 • 2025