IMPORTANT NOTES ON DEPENDANT REGISTRATION

The Medical Schemes Act is very specific as to who may be permitted to become a dependant.
It is important to submit applications for dependant membership at the same time and from the same date as that of the principal member, otherwise waiting periods and exclusions will apply.
Children who are 21 years of age or older pay adult membership, contributions.
A spouse, life partner or common-law spouse who is younger than 21 years, pays adult membership contributions.
Your dependant’s address must be clearly indicated on your application form as it will determine where he or she can obtain medical services.
New-born babies should be registered within 30 days of date of birth and the application must reach Platinum Health within 30 days of birth. (follow the instructions for “how to add a dependant”).

Download the file below to learn about the importance of registering New-borns:

DOWNLOAD PDF

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS

To apply for membership or add a dependant, download the form below.

Attach the following documentation to your completed and signed
application form:

Copy of applicant’s Identification Document (ID);
Copy of dependant’s Identification Document (ID):
Copy of dependant’s birth certificate;
Copy of marriage certificate; and
Proof of income or study proof for dependants older than 21 (required annually by the end of March)

Send your completed form to:

ZZGEngagementOfficeMembership@platinumhealth.co.za

Or call us on 080 000 6942 or 014 590 1700 with any questions.

DOWNLOAD PDF

MEMBERSHIP CHANGES/CARD REQUEST

Please complete form below in case of:

Change of banking details
Change of surname
Change of address
Termination of membership/dependant
Card request

Change form for Principal Members:

DOWNLOAD FORM

Change form for Dependants:

DOWNLOAD FORM

How to change your contact details:

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HOW TO CHANGE YOUR MEDICAL SCHEME OR OPTION

Members may choose to switch to a different medical option, or another scheme, during November every year. The effective date of this change will be 1 January of the following year. Members should carefully consider the benefits, costs and implications to themselves and their dependants before exercising their choice.

Members who want to switch to another scheme must, in terms of Platinum Health rules, give Platinum Health one month’s notice in writing. Members who wish to join Platinum Health should note that the following provisions of the Medical Schemes Act will apply when they return to Platinum Health:

Where a member had a three-month break in medical scheme membership prior to applying for Platinum Health membership, a 12-month condition-specific waiting period with regard to pre-existing medical conditions (excluding prescribed minimum benefits will apply)

Please note that waiting periods applicable to a member will not lapse when a member opts to change between different options on Platinum Health. The pro-rata waiting period will be carried over to the new option.

Adding a new-born baby

It is the responsibility of the principal member to ensure that the new-born baby is registered within 30 days of birth and join date is from date of birth.

What happens at retirement?

You and your dependants can stay on the scheme as continuation members, but you need to notify Platinum Health in writing of any intentions to retire at least 30 days prior to retirement. This will enable Platinum Health to inform the member, in good time, of the correct procedure for ensuring uninterrupted membership.

What happens when the principal member passes away?

The dependants of a deceased member who are registered with Platinum Health as his/her dependants at the time of the member’s death, will be entitled to continued membership. Please contact the Platinum Health Client Liaison department for assistance with the registration procedure.

Waiting periods

In terms of Section 29A of the Medical Schemes Act there are two kinds of waiting periods i.e. General waiting period of up to three months and condition-specific waiting period of up to 12 months. The general waiting period can be bought out by the member agreeing to pay three months medical scheme contributions upfront in addition to paying the normal monthly contributions. The condition specific waiting periods apply to pre-existing medical conditions. During the condition specific waiting period members will not be covered in respect of pre-existing medical conditions

Late joiner penalties

Should dependants be added after the starting date of the principal member, waiting periods and/or exclusions will apply. If any of your dependants are 35 years of age or older, and were not members of a medical scheme before 1 April 2001, a premium penalty will apply. The penalty will depend on their age and previous medical scheme record.

WHO QUALIFIES AS A DEPENDANT OF THE PRINCIPAL MEMBER?

Who qualifies as a dependant of the principal member?
	Type of Dependant	Important to note	Documentation to be submitted to the Scheme
YES	Spouse Civil marriage Spouse Customary marriage Common-law partner, Same-sex partner and Fiancée	Principal members who get married have to add their newly wed spouses within 30 days from date of marriage, and join date is date of marriage, otherwise waiting periods may apply. A spouse who is younger than 21 years, pays adult membership contributions. A Common-law partner, Same sex partner or Fiancée who is younger than 21 years, pays adult membership contributions.	Provide copy of: Marriage certificate (required within 30 days of marriage). Provide copies of: Identity document or Passport of spouse. Proof of previous medical of spouse. Lobola agreement letter OR Letter from the Chief confirming the customary marriage. Affidavit from main member confirming the customary marriage. Proof of previous medical of spouse. Provide an affidavit which: States the period of living together. Confirmation of the relationship. Proof of mutual dependency e.g., Home Loan/Water and electricity account. Proof of previous medical of partner. Identity document or Passport of partner.
	Biological father, mother, brother or sister	Provided that the dependent earns no more than the maximum social pension per month, of whom the member is liable for family care and support.	Provide copies of: A death certificate if the dependent is a widow or widower or the parents has passed on. Provide an Affidavit which states: The relation of the dependent to the principal member. That the dependent is financially dependent on the principal member and proof thereof per dependent. That the dependent is unemployed. That the dependent has NO bank account OR has only one bank account. Copy of 3 months bank statements. ITA34 (can be obtained from SARS). Proof of previous medical of dependent. Copy of dependent’s Identity document or Passport.
	Biological child/stepchild	Provided that the child does not earn more than the maximum social pension per month. Child dependents who reach 21 pays adult contributions.	A newborn has to be registered from date of birth, and join date is the date of birth, otherwise waiting periods may apply. Provide copies of: Proof of birth. A newborn’s birth certificate needs to be submitted to the scheme within 30 days of birth. Provide copies of: Proof of previous medical of dependent Unabridged birth certificate For dependants older than 21 or children studying or unemployed, submit proof of study and affidavit confirming employment and financial dependency. Identity document or Passport
	Adopted children	Provided that the children are adopted by the principal member.	A newly adopted child has to be registered from the date of court order, and the join date is the date of the court order, otherwise waiting periods may apply. Provide copies of: Court order. Proof of previous medical of dependent. Unabridged birth certificate. Identity document or Passport.
	Grandchild	If an active child dependent gives birth to a newborn baby (grandchild) utilising our maternity programme. If an active child dependent has a newborn baby (grandchild) and did not utilise our maternity programme.	A newborn has to be registered from date of birth, and join date is the date of birth, otherwise waiting periods may apply. Provide copies of: Proof of birth. A newborn’s unabridged birth certificate needs to be submitted to the scheme within 30 days of birth. A newborn has to be registered from date of birth, and join date is the date of birth, otherwise waiting periods may apply. Provide copies of: Proof of birth. A newborn’s unabridged birth certificate needs to be submitted to the scheme within 30 days of birth. Affidavit from main member, both biological parents, and proof of birth from institution where the baby was born.
NO	Grandchild	Principal member wishes to add a grandchild and biological parent is not active on the scheme or the grandchild is not a newborn. The grand child is not considered to be dependent of the principal member, unless the grandchild is legally adopted by the grandparent.	In such an instance the principal member must provide the following documentation to the Scheme: Copy of Identity document or Passport or birth certificate. Court order. Affidavit from principal member and both parents advising circumstances. Any additional information as required by the Scheme.
	Ex-spouse or Ex-partner	Membership has to be terminated. Member has to give 30 day’s notice to the Scheme of termination of ex-spouse or ex-partner.	Complete a change form, indicating termination of ex-spouse or ex-partner and submit to Client Liaison.
	Family-in-law
	Friend
	Uncle or aunt, nephew or niece, foster children

TAX CERTIFICATES

Platinum Health Medical Scheme Tax Certificates are printed and distributed in June each year.

All members for whom we have valid e-mail addresses will receive their Platinum Health Medical Scheme Tax Certificates electronically.

The other members will receive hard copies via their Employers or via mail.

Note: Those that received Platinum Health Medical Scheme Tax Certificates via e-mail, will not receive hard copies.

CASE MANAGEMENT CONTACT DETAILS

After-hours and emergencies contact number may not be used for general account and membership queries.

TELEPHONE

014 590 1700 or 080 000 6942

AFTER-HOURS & EMERGENCIES

082 800 8727

Specialist authorisation: plathealth@platinumhealth.co.za
Hospital pre-authorisation and authorisation: hospitalconfirmations@platinumhealth.co.za

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