By Nassief Mohamed and Caleb Ornellas
The world saw a dramatic change in 2020, when the Covid pandemic forced us to question everything from our careers to our health to how and where we lived. From a commercial perspective, businesses faced challenges too, whether it was dwindling customers due to lockdowns, strain on essential services or landlords struggling to collect rent from struggling businesses.
It wasnt all bad news though: Covid also forced many industries to think outside the box in order to survive and thrive, which resulted in innovation. Consumers of these businesses also changed their behaviour to align with changing priorities and many companies changed their offerings as a result. For the medical aid industry specifically, here are five changes that have emerged in the post-Covid years:
Medical aid is seen as essential rather than optional
While medical aid has often been seen by South African consumers as a grudge purchase, post-2020 its regarded as a necessity by those who can afford it. While medical aid costs are still a concern, the pandemic has made many realise that the right plan is worth the investment. The mindset has shifted from Is medical aid worth it? to Can I afford not to have it? Consumers are also now more sharply focused on value, where they want to know their coverage will truly protect them in a crisis.
