Medical aid glossary

Emergency medical condition

A sudden and unexpected onset of a health condition requiring immediate treatment to avoid death, serious harm or lasting impairment. Emergencies are Prescribed Minimum Benefits, so cover cannot be refused merely because authorisation was not obtained beforehand.

Where you will see this term

Terms like this appear on claims statements, remittance advices, authorisation letters and scheme rules. Understanding the exact wording your scheme used is usually the first step in working out whether a rejected or short-paid claim can be disputed.

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Related terms

Claim review

Not sure what your scheme's wording means for your claim?

Send us the rejection letter, the itemised account and the clinical notes. We translate the scheme's reasoning into plain English and tell you whether the decision stands up against its own rules and the Prescribed Minimum Benefit regulations.

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This page is provided for general information and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Medical scheme rules, benefit structures and regulations change over time — always confirm the position with your scheme’s current member material, your treating practitioner, or an attorney admitted in South Africa.

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ClaimIQ is a product of Landlodz (Pty) Ltd (Reg. No. 2024/615543/07).
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ClaimIQ SA is an independent medical aid claim review and dispute service. We are not a medical scheme, a broker or a financial services provider.