Bonitas benefits for you and your baby
Giving your little one the best possible start in life is essential. That’ s why we have a host of maternity benefits and benefits for newborns and babies to assist you. These benefits are paid for from risk, so they are in addition to your savings and day-to-day benefits.
Maternity benefits
Having children is expensive. That’ s why we pay for your maternity benefits in addition to your savings and day-to-day benefits so you can focus on the things that really matter. We cover a range of elements during pregnancy including:
• Two 2D ultrasounds
• Maternity consultations with your gynaecologist, midwife or GP( paid at 100 % of the Bonitas Rate)
• Amniocentesis( a test on amniotic fluid to screen for abnormalities in the developing baby)
• Antenatal classes to help prepare you on everything you need to know before your baby arrives
• Consultations with a midwife after you have given birth
Please note: Your maternity benefits will depend on the option you’ ve selected.
In addition, your stay in hospital when your baby arrives will also be covered. Please make sure you pre-authorise this after your 24th week of pregnancy by calling 0860 002 108 or emailing hospital @ bonitas. co. za.
Newborn hearing screening
Significant hearing loss is the most common disorder at birth. Therefore, screening all newborns for hearing loss is internationally recommended. We cover two electrophysiological techniques, auditory brainstem responses( ABR) and otoaucostic emissions( OAE) for all babies under 8 weeks old, in or out of hospital, making sure that your baby’ s hearing is intact or allowing you to intervene early if necessary.
Help is just a call away with Babyline
Babyline is the first dedicated children’ s health advice line in South Africa. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service is run by paediatric trained nurses who assist with any queries related to your little one’ s health and wellness.
The benefit is available on all Bonitas plans for children under 3 years, and offers:
• Home care advice
• Clinic / Primary Care / GP referral for the same day
• Clinic / Primary Care / GP referral for the next day
• After-hours care within the next six hours
• Immediate referral to the emergency room.
Simply call 0860 999 121 and you will be put through to a paediatric trained registered nurse. Please have your Bonitas membership number on hand when you call. The nurse will ask a series of questions depending on the concern raised by you. Thereafter, you will be given professional advice on what to do next and whether the symptoms are urgent enough to visit the emergency room, a doctor or specialist. If necessary, the nurse will advise on the most appropriate healthcare provider to see the child.
Other childcare benefits
We don’ t stop there; we also help you keep your children healthy. A separate benefit is offered for consultations with a paediatrician for children under 2 years old as well as a benefit for GP consultations for children under 12 years old. The number of consultations is based on the option you’ ve chosen.
Congenital hypothyroidism screening
Cover for TSH tests( to screen for congenital hypothyroidism), is available on all options for children under a month old.
Page 13 B-Living Issue 1, 2018