Access Optimiser
About this plan
Budget-friendly option aimed at members on hospital plans. Covers selected specialist shortfalls, hospital co-payments and diagnostic scan benefits.
Monthly premium
From
R217
per month
What's covered
Hospital cover
Savings account
Day-to-day
Chronic cover
Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental health
Waiting periods
- General
- 3 months
- Pre-existing conditions
- 12 months
Access Optimiser
Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser (🇿🇦 2025*)
💙 Overall, Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser is a trustworthy short-term insurance product designed to provide extra protection for those with medical aid. The Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser Plan starts from R197 ZAR. Stratum Benefits has a trust score of 4.5.| 🔎 Provider | 🥇 Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser |
| 🟥 Years in Operation | 25 years |
| 🟧 Underwriters | Guardrisk Insurance Company Limited (FSP 75) |
| 🟨 Market Share in South Africa | >5% |
| 🟩 Gap Cover Waiting Period | 3 Months |
| 🟦 Do Exclusions Apply | ✅ Yes |
| 🟪 Average Monthly Premium | R197 |
| 🟥 Oncology Benefit | None |
| 🟧 In-Hospital Benefit | ✅ Yes |
| 🟨 Out-of-Hospital Cover | None |
Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser - 7 Key Point Quick Overview
- ✅ Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser Overview
- ✅ Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser Premiums
- ✅ Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser Benefits and Cover Breakdown
- ✅ Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser Exclusions and Waiting Periods
- ✅ Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser vs Other Gap Cover Plans
- ✅ Our Verdict on Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser
- ✅ Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser Frequently Asked Questions
Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser Overview
💙 The Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser is one of eleven plans that starts from R197 per month. Stratum Benefits’ Base has benefits for casualties, illness, accidental death and disability, lifestyle, and in-hospital treatment, services, and procedures. 👉🏿 Stratum Benefits Gap Cover has 5 plans to choose from: ✅️ Stratum Benefits Elite 500 ✅️ Stratum Benefits Compact 300 ✅️ Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser ✅️ Stratum Benefits Access Co pay Plus 300 ✅️Stratum Benefits Meridian 400
Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser Premiums
| 🟥 Membership Type | 🟩 Monthly Contribution |
| 🟧 Individuals or Families <64 years | 🟦 R197 |
| 🟨 Individuals or Families>65 years | 🟪 R262 |
Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser Benefits and Cover Breakdown
💙 This plan serves as an enhanced alternative, specifically designed to encompass specific medical procedures not included in the policyholder’s existing medical cover. It applies to individuals aged 65 and above and families with at least one member aged 65 or above, who will be subjected to the premium associated with a family or individuals over 65. 💙 Under this plan, the benefits offered are contingent upon an annual Out-of-Pocket Limit (OPL) of R210 580 per policy, regardless of whether the policyholder is covered as an individual or as part of a family. Consequently, any approved claim amounts will be deducted from the OPL.Access Optimiser Access Cover
💙 This provides cover for procedures that are not typically covered by medical aid.| 🟥 The procedure not covered by Medical Aid | Access Cover Amount Provided |
| 🟧 Arthroscopic Surgery | R72,000 |
| 🟨 Back / Neck Surgery | R72,000 |
| 🟩 Bunion Surgery | R20,000 |
| 🟦 A cochlear implant, auditory brain implant, and internal nerve stimulator surgery (Including the procedure, device, processor, and hearing aids) | R85,000 |
| 🟪 Dental Procedures for impacted teeth (children <18 years) | R20,000 |
| 🟥 Dental procedures – reconstructive surgery because of an accident | R85,000 |
| 🟧 Endoscopic Procedures | R10,000 |
| 🟨 Functional Nasal Surgery | R30,000 |
| 🟩 Joint replacement surgery (Including non-PMB joint replacements and internal prosthetic devices) | R60,000 |
| 🟦 Knee or shoulder surgery | R30,000 |
| 🟪 MRI or CT scan is required due to an accidental event | R15,000 |
| 🟥 Non-cancerous breast conditions (including breast reconstruction of a breast not affected by cancer) | R25,000 |
| 🟧 Esophageal reflux and hiatus hernia surgery | R60,000 |
| 🟨 Removal of varicose veins | R25,000 |
| 🟩 Skin disorders (including benign growths or lipomas) | R25,000 |
Access Optimiser Benefits
| 🅰️ Cover Type | 🅱️ Summary |
| 🟧 Casualty Cover | Covers all accident-related expenses, including facility and doctor consultation fees, co-payments and deductibles, radiology services, pathology, medication during the accident, and external medical items provided by the facility. |
| 🟨 Illness Cover | Specifically for children under 10 years. Covers the cost of visits to a casualty facility and associated healthcare provider bills for illness outside normal business hours. Reimbursement is provided for out-of-pocket expenses. |
| 🟩 Accidental Disability and Death | Provides a benefit of R5,000 each for total and permanent disability or death resulting from an accident. Limited to one event per person per year. |
Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser Exclusions and Waiting Periods
Access Optimiser Exclusions
💙 Suppose you claim within the first 10 months of cover for certain medical events/procedures (such as adenoidectomy, cardiovascular procedures, cataract removal, dentistry, etc.). In that case, Stratum Benefits will only cover 20% of the claim amount.Access Optimiser Waiting Periods
💙 Waiting periods apply from the policy start date, policy option upgrades, and for new members added after the initial policy start date. There is a three-month general waiting period for all claims except accidental events. 💙 Additionally, there is a 12-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions, including investigations, procedures, surgeries, and treatments related to illnesses or medical conditions diagnosed within 12 months of starting the policy with Stratum Benefits.👉🏿 Read more about Health Insurance for the Youth
Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser vs Other Gap Cover Plans
| 🔎 Provider | 🥇 Stratum Benefits Access Optimiser | 🥈 Sirago Exact Cover | 🥉 Kaelo Gap Core |
| 🟥 Years in Operation | 25 years | 31 years | 20 years |
| 🟧 Underwriters | Guardrisk Insurance Company Limited (FSP 75) | GENRIC Insurance Company Limited (FSP: 43638) | Centriq Insurance Company Limited |
| 🟨 Market Share in South Africa | >5% | >10% | <1% |
| 🟩 Gap Cover Waiting Period | 3 Months | From 3 months (up to 12) | 12 months |
| 🟦 Do Exclusions Apply | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| 🟪 Average Monthly Premium | R197 | R209 | Varies |
| 🟥 Oncology Benefit | None | None | None |
| 🟧 In-Hospital Benefit | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| 🟨 Out-of-Hospital Cover | None | None | None |
| 🟩 Maternity Benefit | None | None | None |
| 🟦 Scopes and Scans | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | None |
| 🟪 Co-payment Cover | None | None | None |
| 🟥 Emergency Room | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | None |
| 🟧 Accidental Cover | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| 🟨 Trauma Counseling | None | None | None |
| 🟩 Premium Waiver | None | None | ✅ Yes |
| 🟦 Non-DSP Co-Payment | None | None | None |
| 🟪 Prostheses | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | None |
| 🟥 Travel Cover Extender | None | None | None |
| 🟧 Accidental Death/ Permanent Disability | ✅ Yes | None | ✅ Yes |
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