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Stratum Benefits Base (2024)

Overall, Stratum Benefits Base is a trustworthy short-term insurance product designed to provide extra protection for those with medical aid. The Stratum Benefits Base start from R252 ZAR. Stratum Benefits has a trust score of 4.5.

🔎 Provider	🥇 Stratum Benefits Base
🟥 Years in Operation	24 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	R252
🟥 Oncology Benefit	✅ Yes
🟧 In-Hospital Benefit	✅ Yes
🟨 Out-of-Hospital Cover	✅ Yes

Stratum Benefits Base – 7 Key Point Quick Overview

Stratum Benefits Base Overview

The Stratum Benefits Base is one of eleven plans that starts from R252 per month. Stratum Benefits’ Base has benefits for dental cover, maternity, radiology, casualty, trauma counseling, lifestyle, first-time cancer diagnosis, and more.

Stratum Benefits Gap Cover has eleven plans to choose from:

Stratum Benefits Base Premiums

🟥 Membership Type	🟥 Monthly Contribution
🟧 Individuals <64 years	🟧 R252
🟨 If the entire family is <64 years	🟨 R296
🟩 If you or a dependent is >65 years	🟩 R488

Stratum Benefits Base Benefits and Cover Breakdown

🟥 Gap Benefit	Covers in and out-of-hospital expenses up to 500% of the medical aid tariff, with an overall annual limit of R185,873 per insured person.
🟧 Dental Cover	Provides cover up to 500% with limits ranging from R6,000 to R16,000 per policy per year, depending on the procedure.
🟨 Maternity Cover	Covers shortfalls when professionals charge more than the medical aid rate for delivering a baby, as well as specific amounts paid by the medical aid from the hospital benefit.
🟩 Radiology Cover	Provides cover up to R185,837 per insured person annually if the medical aid pays from the policyholder’s hospital plan.
🟦 Casualty Benefit – Accidents and Illness	Reimburses shortfalls or total costs for accidental events and illnesses treated outside the hospital if paid from the medical savings account or out-of-pocket.
🟪 Trauma Counselling	Cover up to R6,000 per policy per year.
🟥 Accidental Death and Disability	Limited to one event per insured person per year, up to R6,000 per insured person.
🟧 First-Time Cancer Diagnosis	Covers up to R5,000 per insured person in their lifetime.
🟨 Lifestyle Benefits	Includes access to e-learning options for high school students in grades 8 to 12 through Boston Online Home Education, offering CAPS and Cambridge International Curriculum content, educational webinars, career guidance, and short learning programs.
🟩 International Travel Insurance	Provides cover for acute illness and injury during pleasure travel outside South Africa, with a maximum of 31 days per trip and one trip per policy per year.

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Stratum Benefits Base Exclusions and Waiting Periods

Stratum Benefits Base Exclusions

If you claim within the first 10 months of cover for certain medical events/procedures (such as adenoidectomy, cardiovascular procedures, cataract removal, dentistry, etc.), Stratum Benefits will only cover 20% of the claim amount.

Stratum Benefits Base 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.

Stratum Benefits Base vs Other Gap Cover Plans

🔎 Provider	🥇 Stratum Benefits Base	🥈 Liberty Essential Gap Cover	🥉 Sirago Gap Lite
🟥 Years in Operation	24 years	66 years	30 years
🟧 Underwriters	Guardrisk Insurance Company Limited (FSP 75)	Guardrisk Life Limited (FSP 76)	GENRIC Insurance Company Limited (FSP: 43638)
🟨 Market Share in South Africa	>5%	>25%	>10%
🟩 Gap Cover Waiting Period	3 Months	12 months	From 3 months (up to 12)
🟦 Do Exclusions Apply	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
🟪 Average Monthly Premium	R252	R333	R249
🟥 Oncology Benefit	✅ Yes	None	None
🟧 In-Hospital Benefit	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
🟨 Out-of-Hospital Cover	✅ Yes	None	✅ Yes
🟩 Maternity Benefit	✅ Yes	None	✅ Yes
🟦 Scopes and Scans	None	✅ Yes	None
🟪 Co-payment Cover	None	None	✅ Yes
🟥 Emergency Room	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
🟧 Accidental Cover	None	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
🟨 Trauma Counseling	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	None
🟩 Premium Waiver	None	✅ Yes	None
🟦 Non-DSP Co-Payment	None	None	✅ Yes
🟪 Prostheses	None	None	None
🟥 Travel Cover Extender	✅ Yes	None	None
🟧 Accidental Death/ Permanent Disability	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	None

Our Verdict on Stratum Benefits Base

According to our findings, Stratum Benefits Base offers comprehensive medical cover with benefits for dental, maternity, radiology, casualty, trauma counseling, and more. It provides in and out-of-hospital cover of up to 500% of the medical aid tariff, international travel insurance, and lifestyle benefits.

However, knowing the exclusions for certain medical events within the first 10 months and the waiting periods for general claims and pre-existing conditions is important. Overall, we can conclude that Stratum Benefits Base is a reliable choice for individuals and families looking for affordable gap cover.

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Stratum Benefits Base Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cover limit for in and out-of-hospital expenses under Stratum Benefits Base?

Stratum Benefits Base covers up to 500% of the medical aid tariff for both in and out-of-hospital expenses.

Are dental procedures covered under Stratum Benefits Base?

Yes, Stratum Benefits Base offers dental cover with benefits paid up to 500% of the medical aid tariff, depending on the specific procedure.

Does Stratum Benefits Base include maternity cover?

Yes, Stratum Benefits Base covers maternity expenses, including shortfalls when healthcare professionals charge more than the medical aid rate for delivering a baby.

What is the waiting period for pre-existing conditions under Stratum Benefits Base?

The waiting period for pre-existing conditions with Stratum Benefits Base is 12 months, which includes investigations, procedures, surgeries, and treatments related to illnesses or medical conditions diagnosed within the previous 12 months.

Does Stratum Benefits Base provide cover for trauma counseling?

Yes, Stratum Benefits Base includes cover for trauma counseling up to a specified limit of R6,000 per policy per year.

Adriaan Schoeman

Adriaan holds an MBA and specializes in medical aid research. With his commitment to perfection, he ensures the accuracy of all data presented on medicalaid.com every three months. When he is not conducting research, Adriaan can be found indulging in his passion for trout fishing amidst nature.