Lee Callakoppen, Principal Officer of Bonitas

With the Easter long weekend just around the corner, many South Africans are gearing up for family getaways, road trips and well-earned breaks. While flights, accommodation, admin and packing tend to dominate the planning process, the one thing many people forget to plan for is what to do if they get sick or injured while travelling.

Whether it’s a fall in Clarens, food poisoning in Bali or a sudden illness on a family road trip, medical emergencies can happen anywhere, and when they do, the situation can quickly become overwhelming if you don’t know what support you have or how to access it. Lee Callakoppen, Principal Officer of Bonitas, says that South Africans on medical aid should ensure they fully understand the benefits that are available to them in an emergency, before it’s too late.

“Healthcare planning might seem like the last thing on your mind when preparing for Easter travel, but knowing your plan and what sort of help you have at your disposal in case something goes wrong offers a great deal of peace of mind,” he says. “Not to mention, it avoids exorbitant out-of-pocket medical costs or the stress of finding yourself or loved ones stranded without assistance.”

Callakoppen explains that healthcare planning for travel goes far beyond having a generic insurance policy or carrying a copy of your medical aid card. It’s about understanding the layers of support that are available to you and knowing how to access them if something goes wrong.

“In a medical emergency, timing and coordination are critical,” he says. “You might need help with getting an ambulance to your location, securing hospital admission or making sure you’re brought home safely if that becomes necessary. These are the kinds of interventions that can make a frightening experience a little less overwhelming.”

Understanding international travel benefits

For those heading overseas this Easter, it’s vital to understand what your scheme covers. From hospital stays to emergency evacuations and specialist treatment, knowing your benefits can make a significant difference. Bonitas covers leisure and business trips by paying claims for emergency medical and related expenses directly to the medical service provider while you and/or your dependant(s) are on an insured international journey.

“Too often, people assume travel insurance will take care of everything,” says Callakoppen. “But in many cases, your medical aid is your first line of defence. Insurance is important, but it works best when used in tandem with your scheme benefits, and that means taking the time to activate your international travel cover before departure. Being able to reach someone immediately for guidance, especially abroad, brings invaluable calm and control.”

When emergencies strike closer to home

Medical emergencies aren’t only a concern abroad. Even local trips, whether a drive to the coast or a day out with the kids, can quickly become stressful without support.

“Access to real-time emergency coordination can be a lifesaver,” he says. "We often think about cover in terms of what’s paid for, but in those first critical moments, what you really need is someone to help navigate the chaos – whether it's dispatching an ambulance, keeping you calm while you wait for help, or liaising with emergency services on your behalf."

Bonitas SOS was created with that exact need in mind, offering 24/7 emergency support service that connects members to assistance at any time, covering the cost of care while also helping to manage the emergency while it’s happening.

A bit of planning can go a long way when it comes to managing the unexpected. Knowing what your medical aid covers, how to access help, and what steps to take before you travel won’t stop emergencies from happening, but it can make them a lot easier to deal with when they do.

Know your numbers

One of the simplest and most effective things you can do before heading off this Easter is to save the Bonitas SOS emergency number in your phone - and make sure everyone travelling with you has it saved too. In a stressful situation, the last thing you want to be doing is searching for a contact number. Having it on hand means help is only one call away, no matter where you are.

For more information, visit www.bonitas.co.za

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