Cape Town - Retired people tend to be the highest claimers on medical schemes for the simple reason that they are the most likely age group to have medical issues.
While it is the prudent thing to do to continue your medical scheme membership after retirement, financial pressures make this impossible for many people. Fewer than 10% of people can maintain their lifestyle post-retirement and medical scheme membership is often one of the casualties of a post-retirement drop in income.
Many pensioners, even some former medical scheme members, have no choice but to rely on state healthcare services as they are unable to afford the contributions for medical scheme membership. Others buy down to more affordable hospital plans.