Overview
The importance of maternity benefits cannot be overstated when it comes to ensuring a healthy beginning for both mothers and their newborns. As a result of these benefits, expectant mothers are better able to relax, enjoy their new journey, and bond with their newborns, as well as experience fewer difficulties throughout and after pregnancy.
Expectant mothers can rely on Bonitas, one of the top medical aid schemes in South Africa, for cover during their pregnancies, deliveries, and postpartum recovery. Discover all the maternity perks that Bonitas has to offer with this comprehensive guide. From prenatal checkups and birth options to postnatal care and more, we’ve got you covered.
What do maternity benefits include?
Maternity benefits provided by medical aid schemes are designed to support expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy, delivery, and the postnatal period. These benefits typically cover a range of services and procedures to ensure both maternal and infant health. Here’s a general overview of what these benefits often include:
Prenatal Care
The mother and the developing baby are closely monitored through regular visits with healthcare providers like obstetricians or midwives, as well as through ultrasounds and other essential medical examinations. These checkups are useful for spotting and treating problems before they worsen.
Maternity and Obstetric Care
Whether the delivery is natural or caesarean section, the expenses related to the process are covered. This may cover hospitalisation expenses for a certain time before and after the delivery, regardless of whether it was an emergency or not.
Medications and Supplements
Medications and prenatal vitamins that are prescribed to pregnant women to ensure their health and the health of their babies.
Postnatal Care
After giving birth, maternity benefits typically pay for follow-up appointments to assess the mother’s and baby’s health, provide guidance on nursing, and handle any issues that may have arisen during the delivery process.
Neonatal Care
In the event of a premature birth or other emergency requiring rapid medical treatment, several plans provide benefits for the infant, including as neonatal intensive care.
Bonitas Medical Aid Plans with Maternity Benefits
Bonitas has a wide array of plans which incorporate these maternity benefits, tailored to varying needs and budgets, from comprehensive plans like BonComprehensive to more basic options like BonEssential and BonStart.
These plans not only provide substantial maternity and newborn care but also integrate broad healthcare coverage, ensuring comprehensive support throughout the pregnancy journey and beyond.
BonComprehensive
- ✅ Maternity Benefits: Includes up to 12 antenatal consultations, 2 x 2D ultrasound scans, 1 amniocentesis, antenatal classes, and 4 postnatal consultations (one can be with a lactation specialist).
- ✅ Price: R9 853 for main member
- ✅ Eligibility: Available to all members under this plan without additional specific criteria other than standard plan membership.
- ✅ Activation: Register through the Bonitas Maternity Programme, accessible via the Bonitas website or customer service.
BonEssential and BonEssential Select
- ✅ Maternity Benefits: Similar to BonComprehensive, but tailored within the Essential plans’ structure, providing necessary antenatal and postnatal care.
- ✅ Price: R2 287 for BonEssential, R1 998 for BonEssential Select
- ✅ Eligibility: Standard eligibility applies, focusing on providing essential services.
- ✅ Activation: Activation of maternity benefits is done through enrolment in the Bonitas Maternity Programme.
BonFit Select
- ✅ Maternity Benefits: Offers maternity benefits including consultations and scans, with some variations based on the specific service structure of the plan.
- ✅ Price Eligibility: R2 295 for main member
- ✅ Activation: Requires registration in the maternity programme, similar to other plans.
Conclusion
The maternity benefits offered by Bonitas are designed to provide comprehensive support to expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy journey, from prenatal care to postnatal recovery. By taking advantage of these benefits, members can ensure they receive the necessary medical support and advice which are so for the health and well-being of both the mother and the newborn.
