There are two kinds of waiting periods:
- A 3-month general waiting period
- A 12-month condition specific waiting period
During this waiting period contributions are paid without the member being entitled to benefits.
What is a late joiner penalty?
It is a “fine” by way of additional contributions, imposed when a person joining a medical scheme are 35 years of age or older and was not a member of one or more medical schemes before 1 April 2001.
This penalty do not expire after a certain period. The purpose is to place the late joiner and the other members who have been contributiong towards a medical scheme from a young age on the same level as they receive the same benefits.
| Number of years not on a medical scheme after age 35 | Maximum Penalty |
| 1- 4 years | 5% x risk contribution |
| 5- 14 years | 25% x risk contribution |
| 15- 24years | 50% x risk contribution |
| 25+ years | 75% x risk contribution |
What to do to remove specific condition waiting periods & late joiner penalties:
Provide all membership certificates of previous cover on a medical scheme stating the start and end date.
For more information contact us