SA Hospitals??? / Blue Cross Coverage

20 January 2005, 04:47

Bill C

Now that I've been on "a few" safaris...I thought it about time I checked out what my insurance covers

(As I'm traveling with my sons this July, and given the attention this matter has drawn over the last few months, I thought it prudent to look into this...).

I have BlueCross (BC/BS), which says they provide coverage when traveling just like in the States (participating versus non-participating facilities). Still researching...but they have a good "World Access" website that lists all participating providers.

There are a few doc's in Zim (Harare & Bulawayo) and Zambia (Lusaka), but no hospitals. In SA, there are a bunch, including quite a few in Joburg.

My question is for the SA AR members and/or anybody familiar with the medical system in Joburg - Are any of these "any good"?

As a general "FYI"...from the Blue Cross website (BC/BS Website):

When you need health care outside the U.S., follow these simple steps:
(1) Always carry your Blue Cross and Blue Shield identification card.
(2) Check with your Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plan before leaving the U.S. because your health care benefits may be different outside the U.S.
(3) If you need emergency medical care, go to the nearest hospital. Call the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center at 1.800.810.BLUE (2583) or call collect at 1.804.673.1177 if youâ€™re admitted.
(4) If you need non-emergency inpatient medical care, you must call the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center. The Service Center will facilitate hospitalization at a BlueCard Worldwide hospital or make an appointment with a doctor. It is important that you call the BlueCard Worldwide Service Center in order to obtain cash-less access for inpatient care. The Service Center is staffed with multilingual representatives and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
(5) Call your local Plan for pre-certification or prior authorization, if necessary. Refer to the phone number on the back of your card.

20 January 2005, 05:11

Keith Atcheson

Bill C,

I don't have enough time right now to go into any detail but I can tell you that Milpark is a very good trauma hospital with good doctors. I spent nearly three weeks there in june and july after my wife was gored by a buffalo. In addition to your primary coverage you would be wise to also buy a supplemental accident and sickness policy that covers what your primary does not. I had both and $35000 later they covered nearly everything. Anyone that goes anywhere without full coverage is playing roulette. We used CSA Vacation Travel www.csatp.com

20 January 2005, 05:23

Blank

On the recommendations of numerous experienced hunters and travelers, I also purchased CSA Vacation Travel insurance. The entire package was reasonable. My domestic insurance would cover a lot, but it might be difficult filing and paying, and indications were that CSA would be accepted easier. Others recommended MedJet highly. I fought a thorn tree in the dark, and almost lost my right eye. Luckily, the ranch owners sent me back to Windhoek the next morning and their personal physician fixed my up for nothing (as a personal favor to them).

20 January 2005, 06:49

DRB

Bill,

All of these are first class operations!

20 January 2005, 07:09

T.Carr

Bill,

This ties in with a previous post about Travel Medical Insurance. Here is the link for those that missed the earlier post.

Travel Medical Insurance

Regards,

Terry

20 January 2005, 14:28

Rikkie

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bill C:
_Are any of these "any good"?_

Brenthurst Clinic
Linksfield Park Clinic
Milpark Hospital
Mulbarton Hospital
Olivedale Clinic
Rosebank Medical Centre

I can vouch for Olivedale Clinic, as I've spent several days there after 2 mishaps. The hospital and the staff are absolutely world class. You won't find better care anywhere IMO

21 January 2005, 17:19

Bill C

Thank you gentlemen, I appreciate the feedback. Bill

Edit/Added: Here is what my program (Capital Blue Cross) covers:

Hospital/Clinic ER Visit OR Doctor Office (Participating Provider): If not admitted, may have to pay upfront, but will be reimbursed. Facility may file claim, or can be done upon arrival home (using the "World Travel Claim Form").

Hospital/Clinic Admittance (Participating Provider): If admitted, all costs will be submitted by the hospital, no out of pocket expenses for services covered under the program.

Non-Participating Hospital/Clinic: Deductible must be paid plus likely be billed for full amount upfront, reimbursement through Blue Cross is 50% (although there are "exceptions" where they will pay more). Obviously, these are in areas (countries) where one would prefer to NOT be treated to begin with.

It is clearer to me now the roll of "supplemental insurance" (I'm personally satisfied w/what my BC/BS provides), and the MARS/MedJet service to get one to an appropriate facility of their choice (the next R&D project).