The flu season is here again and with this year’s flu season expected to be more severe, South Africans should seriously consider getting their influenza (flu) vaccine, a local disease expert warns. We are here to remind our Medical Aid Members that use this time to get the flu vaccine, to strengthen immunity, and let you enjoy this winter in the healthiest way possible. Since Covid 19 came into our lives, its very hard distinguish the difference between the two. It is rather important to note that Flu and COVID-19 are very different diseases. Although Flu and COVID-19 may present similar symptoms, the viruses that cause them are not the same. COVID-19 is caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2, and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. To gain protection against each, you need to have the vaccine developed against each disease. You don't have to wait between COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. You can have them at the same time and, if you've had COVID-19 and recovered, it's safe to have the flu vaccine. Remember to give the healthcare provider your Medical aid company name and your Medical Aid number. Below we indicate with the different medical aid Providers , you can go about getting the vaccine through your Medical Aid Provider. Discovery Flu shot is paid from savings, or if you are on the Smart Plan, it is paid from your OTC benefit; if you are on the Core Plan, you then will need to pay from your pocket. You may go to: Medirite + Pharmacy (No dispensing and admin fees), ICPA (independent community pharmacy association), Clicks or Dis-chem. Momentum Flu vaccine is paid from Health Platform Benefit, you can either contact Momentum via WhatsApp (+27860117859), Momentum App, access your Momentum profile or call 0860117959 to notify Momentum. Bonitas Bonitas offers all members a free flu vaccine once a year. Simply go to Dis-chem, Clicks, or Pick n Pay Pharmacies. FedHealth FedHealth offers all members a free flu vaccine once a year, you need to pay R36 for admin fee. Fedhealth covers both flu vaccines, namely quadrivalent (QIV) and trivalent (TIV) vaccines. Profmed One flu vaccine per person per year is covered by Profmed Scheme. You must use a Designated Service Provider (DSP). If you want to know more about preventative benefits, please contact Namhla in our Health Department, email [email protected] , Tel (011)658-1333
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Do you think of yourself as a healthy person? If you exercise a few times a week, make mostly positive eating choices, and rarely become seriously ill, you might well consider yourself to be. In fact, the thought of contracting a severe illness has most likely never entered your mind. Until you arrive at work one day to find out that an apparently healthy colleague of the same age as you has just been diagnosed with cancer. Then the realisation hits, there's a chance it could just as easily have happened to you. Suddenly you start to consider the possibility that a severe illness could become a reality in your own life. And that protecting yourself and your family against the risk of an illness is more than a nice-to-have it's a must-have in every way. Do I really need severe illness cover? It's a good question and if you're relatively young and in good health, you may think the answer to be a resounding no. But for a more accurate assessment of your potential risk factors, a look at actual statistics might help shed some valuable light. Over the past year, the severe illness claims paid out to Discovery Life clients have painted an interesting picture:
Cover for severe illness When choosing your level of cover you should consider any outstanding debt and other liabilities that you would have to settle if you were to become severely ill. It is also important to consider the cost of modifications or lifestyle changes that would be required as a result of a severe illness. Set up an appointment with a Financial Advisor Kevin, please contact Nicole in our Life Department, email [email protected], tel (011)658-1333 Source: Discovery For our investors investing in Morningstar Managed Portfolios, click below to access the latest performance snapshot, market commentary and market performance summary: Morningstar SA Managed Portfolios Morningstar Global Managed Portfolios (USD) SA Q1 Portfolio Commentary Global Q1 Portfolio Commentary Market Commentary - SA and Global Market Performance Summary - SA and Global In partnership with Morningstar: When comparing current markets to that of a year ago, it is hard to believe that we are already in a completely different place in such a short amount of time. What started as a strong recovery (after the March 2020 crash), synchronized global growth and supportive monetary policy has turned due to war, mentions of a potential recession approaching, four-decade high inflation, a rise in bond yields and rising interest rates across most markets. Planning how to manage your capital after retirement is probably one of the most complex problems in financial planning, especially when markets are turbulent. In partnership with Morningstar: Whether it is via a credit card, personal loan, or a home loan, most investors have experience with interest rates. When it comes to bonds and the impact of interest rate increases on investment portfolios, investors are often left scratching their heads. Bonds are used within investment portfolios to provide income, reduce risk, for growth, or for diversification purposes. However, as most central banks globally prepare to raise interest rates to stave off increasing inflation, some worry about the effects of these interest rate hikes on their investment portfolio. People sometimes have the perception that insurance claims are declined for ‘no reason’. However, an insurance policy is a contract. The insurer agrees to cover you according to how much risk they think they take on in doing so and set your premium accordingly. When the provisions aren’t met, the contract has effectively been broken and the insurer is exposed to more risk than ‘what your premium covers’ and ‘what was agreed to’. Beware: In the fine print there might be conditions that could disqualify your claim if not met. The insurance companies are completely within their rights not to cover you – because the contract is not valid anymore. The best course of action is to take care to understand the wording of your policy and to take the stipulations seriously. Story based on actual events, names have been changed to protect identity Rob had his car stolen at a shopping centre. He then contacted us and we registered the claim. The Insurance provider came back and requested the Car tracker logbook. Rob then informed us that his car tracker was cancelled as his policy lapsed due to non-payment. The insurance Company then requested details regarding the cancellation dates, proof of cancellation from tracking company, statements showing non-payment. Ultimately Rob could not provide any of these and later it was found that the tracker policy was under his brother’s name, this then caused the assessor to question “insurable interest” regarding the car. Upon further investigation there were other discrepancies found in the statement and the CCTV footage of the centre where the car was parked was requested for viewing. Ultimately the claim was rejected due to Condition of the policy not being met which is “Tracker is required to be active and working in order to have cover.” There are common pitfalls we see time and time again that result in insurance claims being repudiated, or only partially paid out because the ‘contract’ has been broken. Below are five key examples to look out for: 1.The regular driver and owner of a vehicle differ on a policy An example of where this happens, is if a parent is the policyholder of a vehicle that was purchased for their student child who is the regular driver. The parents have an insurable interest in the vehicle as there is a potential for financial loss if anything happens to it. In addition, if the child is not listed as the regular driver, the claim will likely be rejected and it may have an impact on the parents’ insurance risk profile. What can clients do to avoid this? Update your adviser on the full details of any new vehicle added to a policy, so that appropriate cover can be put in place. Do not assume that simply adding a vehicle to a policy will mean that it is covered. 2. Vehicle extras weren’t specified A case in point was when a client put in a claim for a bulbar that was stolen from his bakkie. No extras were noted in his policy and the sum insured was only sufficient to cover the bakkie itself. The claim was therefore rejected. What can clients do to avoid this? Ensure that all non-factory fitted accessories such as bull bars, sound systems and canopies are specified as additional extras, in addition to the sum insured value of your vehicle. Also keep in mind that you might need cover for mag rims on your tyres, so keep their replacement value in mind – anything you have changed or upgraded compared to the standard vehicle must be noted. 3. Security specifications weren’t adhered to All too common, this is an issue when claiming for a burglary/ theft. If your security features weren’t enabled at the time of the burglary, the claim will likely get rejected. If you tell your insurance company / broker that you have a tracker at the time of taking out the insurance policy it is your responsibility as the client to ensure that this tracking devise must have a valid contract and always be in a working order to prevent problems at claims stage, the client is responsible to ensure that the devise is active and working. If the tracker is no longer active the insurance company needs to be notified ASAP. On high value vehicle this may be a requirement in order to retain insurance cover. What can clients do to avoid this? Make sure you ask about any elements of your cover that are your responsibility. If you are covered for having a locked security gate, vehicle tracking devise, an active electric fence or burglar bars on your windows, these features need to be in place and in good working order at all times. This will keep both your property and you safe. 4. You moved but didn’t say anything to your insurer If you move and don’t notify your insurer of your new address, any claims at the new premises will be rejected. This might seem like an obvious change to make to your policy, but we do experience clients forgetting. What can clients do to avoid this? Insurers usually require that you give written notice of your new permanent, physical address before you move. This is because your new address means your risk has changed and your premium may also change. If you would like us to review your current policy contact Edmond in our Short-term department email; [email protected] tel(011)658-1333 ext 105. Source: Apollotechnical.com, Business Report We have partnered with Fedgroup in offering their financial solutions for many years. Fedgroup Participation Bond is a five-year term investment. The Growth Option, which compounds interest income, offers a very attractive 10.9% effective rate. This investment is suitable for investors, pensioners and even businesses looking for steady income and/or a fixed return. Your investment is not subject to the volatilities of the stock markets, just steady interest income, month after month. Please contact 083-633-4671 or [email protected], if you are interested in this investment. Below is my interview of Tony Paulo, Executive Consultant, Fedgroup, discussing Fedgroup Participation Bond: |
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January 2025
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