Affordability versus access, and the role of responsibility - Cornel emphasised that there is no “one-size-fits-all” answer. “Every company needs to look at its ethical and practical responsibilities,” he said. “Some can afford to fully subsidise employee medical aid while others can only contribute toward basic cover. What’s important is ensuring that employees have some form of private access.”

The sad reality, he noted, is that for many households, healthcare becomes a “wishful” expense. “When you’re struggling to cover food and basic needs, health costs are often postponed. That’s where health insurance can make a real difference, providing structured, predictable cover within reach of lower- and middle-income earners.”

While he acknowledged the intentions behind the National Health Insurance (NHI) plan, Cornel was pragmatic about its limitations. “We’re supportive of any initiative that broadens access,” he said. “But universal healthcare on the scale of a medical aid is simply unaffordable. It’s about finding balance, what can the employer pay, what can the employee afford, and what solutions can bridge that gap?”

Distribution, education, and the broker opportunity - Cornel stressed that access to appropriate products depends heavily on the distribution network, and that means brokers. “Our products are available both to corporates and individuals, but they’re sold through brokers. The broker’s role is crucial in educating clients about what’s available and suitable.”

He highlighted that many people are unaware of the distinctions between medical aid, health insurance, hospital plans, and gap cover. “There are about 8.7 million medical aid members in South Africa,” he said, “but only around 10% have gap cover, even though the cost of a hospital procedure can run into hundreds of thousands of rand. Education here is key.”

That education, he added, also creates a commercial opportunity. “Health is the perfect entry point for brokers. When you start with health, something every client feels immediately, you open the door to a deeper relationship. From there, you can expand into other classes of insurance. It’s not just a sales tactic; it’s about relevance.”

A shift toward holistic health solutions - Cornel sees a clear trend toward more integrated, realistic healthcare funding models, ones that recognise both the limits and the possibilities of the system. “Health insurance is not a downgrade,” he said. “It’s a structured, affordable bridge that keeps people in the private system, alleviates pressure on the public sector, and helps employers maintain a healthy, productive workforce.”

In an economy where access to quality healthcare remains a privilege, Genric’s approach represents an important middle path, pragmatic, inclusive, and attuned to South Africa’s realities.  

Cornel summed it up, “If you want a good conversation with your client, start with their health. It’s where they feel it most, and where real impact begins.”