You can find a CareCross doctor nearest to you by searching on the DomestiCare website under Doctor network.
Alternatively, you can call the CareCross Client Services Centre on 0860 103 491 and they will refer you to the nearest CareCross GP.
What is the difference between Acute and Chronic medication?
Acute medication is the type of medicines your GP will prescribe if the medicine is intended to treat a short-term illness. For example, if you developed a chest infection that required a course of short-term antibiotics for treatment.
Chronic medication is medication taken to treat a long-term condition on an ongoing basis, for example, chronic bronchitis or asthma. Please note that chronic medication is not covered under DomestiCare benefits.
What happens if I need acute medication?
Your doctor will prescribe medication from the list of medicines on the CareCross acute medication formulary. DomestiCare will only cover the cost of the medicines on this acute medicine list.
Your doctor should advise you if the medicine you need is not on this list and you will need to pay for medicines not on the list.
Your CareCross doctor will either self-dispense the medicine or will give you a medicine prescription to take to the nearest pharmacy who will supply the specified medicine.
Can I use my DomestiCare card to buy medicines direct from the pharmacy?
No, you can't, as the membership card is not a cash card.
What are my dental benefits on DomestiCare Plus?
If you have been a DomestiCare Plus member for 6 months (or 2 months if your 12 month subscription was paid up front by your employer) then you can access the dental benefits.
DomestiCare Plus will cover fillings, extractions, dental x-rays, cleaning and polishing.
For full benefit details please refer to your DomestiCare member guide.
The dental benefits are available from a CareCross dentist. Please use the CareCross website and search for a dentist under Looking for a doctor? or call 0860 103 491 to confirm the benefits and/or to find out where to go for your nearest dentist.
What are my optometry benefits on DomestiCare Plus?
If you have been a DomestiCare Plus member for 6 months (or 2 months if your 12 month subscription was paid up front by your employer) then you can access the optometry benefits.
The benefit covers an optical test and a frame from a specified selection with either white standard mono or bi-focal lenses. If you choose frames outside the specified selection or request additional services then you will need to pay the optometrist directly for these services.
The optometry benefits are available from a CareCross contracted optometrist. Please visit the CareCross website and search for an optometrist under Looking for a doctor? or call 0860 103 491 to confirm the benefits and/or to find out where to visit your nearest optometrist.
The optical benefit is available once every 24 months.
For full benefit details please refer to your DomestiCare member guide.
What if I need to visit a specialist?
Specialist visits are not covered by DomestiCare or DomestiCare Plus.
If you need these services ask your CareCross GP to refer you to a state hospital specialist.
What if I need to have a blood test?
Your CareCross doctor has a list of the blood tests covered by DomestiCare.
The doctor will advise you whether your required blood test is covered by DomestiCare (e.g. liver function, HIV etc.).
Your CareCross doctor will complete a referral form for the pathology lab.
The doctor may take the blood specimen or will send you to the pathology lab to have the test done.
What if I need x-rays?
The DomestiCare benefits cover a list of x-rays that may be performed by a radiologist.
Your CareCross doctor can tell you whether the x-ray you require is covered. Your CareCross doctor will complete a referral form for the x-ray to be performed. The x-rays will assist the radiologist and doctor to diagnose your condition.
What happens if an x-ray or blood test is not covered by DomestiCare?
You can ask your CareCross GP to refer you to a state hospital or you can sign a liability form and agree to pay for the x-ray or blood test required.
When can I visit a CareCross GP?
You can make an appointment during practice hours, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, and during the relevant times if the practice is open on a Saturday.
No after hour visits are covered by DomestiCare or DomestiCare Plus.
Employer Questions
What is a Domestic Worker?
The Domestic Workers Act applies to all employees in the country who work as domestics, drivers/chauffeurs, housekeepers, cooks/chefs, gardeners, child minders (including drivers of children) or those who look after the sick, aged or disabled in private homes.
An au pair who is employed by you and who is not covered by another medical scheme is also eligible for DomestiCare cover.
DomestiCare hosts the checkout and payment pages on a secure web page. The https web address on the address line indicates that the page has a unique Security Socket Layer (SSL) encryption (128-bit data encryption) and the security certificate is issued by Thawte the leading web security company in the world. On the secure https webpage under File/Properties/Certificates, the Thawte® Trusted Site Seal is displayed. The online payment is done via PayGate , which is the leading online payment system in South Africa for electronic transactions via the Internet.
Further online payment security is enhanced through 3D Secure where the cardholder will be required to enter a one-time pin or password in order to transact. If you want more information on 3D Secure, please see the official MasterCard SecureCode and Verified-by-VISA websites.
Can my domestic worker pay for his/her own DomestiCare healthcare cover?
No, DomestiCare is an occupational healthcare product, designed to ensure your employee has easy access to private healthcare. As such it is the employer's responsibility to set up the policy and make the payments.
I have more than one domestic worker. Can I take out one policy to cover them all?
No, each person needs to have their own policy but the application process is easy and is very straightforward. It will not take more than a couple of minutes to complete for each person.
Can DomestiCare cover be taken out for a gardener or an au pair?
Yes, DomestiCare is suitable for all roles within a domestic household.
My domestic worker has a pre-existing health condition, does this exclude him/her?
No, you will still be able to take out DomestiCare cover for your employee.
Your employee will then be covered for their GP visits but any chronic medication required for the condition will need to be paid for privately or obtained through a state facility.
My domestic worker is pregnant. Does DomestiCare offer any specific maternity benefits?
Yes, DomestiCare cover includes a sonar scan in the first and second trimesters.
I would like to cover my domestic worker for dental or optometry benefits. Is this possible?
Yes, we offer an option called DomestiCare Plus, which includes cover for dentistry and optometry.
These benefits are subject to a 6 month waiting period.
However, if you pay for the year's premium upfront on the DomestiCare Plus option then the waiting period will only be 2 months.
Waiting period means you cannot use these benefits in the first six months after you have joined DomestiCare.
What is the difference between DomestiCare and DomestiCare Plus?
The only difference between the two types of cover is the addition of dentistry and optometry in DomestiCare Plus.
DomestiCare Plus only costs an extra R25 per month – excellent value for the additional peace-of-mind.
How often can my domestic worker visit a doctor with DomestiCare?
There is no limit on the number of visits. They can go as often as medically necessary.
If the doctor prescribes medicine will this be covered by DomestiCare?
DomestiCare covers acute medication.
Acute medication is the type of medicines your GP will prescribe if the medicine is intended to treat a short-term illness. For example, if you develop a chest infection that requires a course of short-term antibiotics for treatment.
The GP will prescribe from a list of medicines covered by CareCross Health that are available from a dispensing doctor or pharmacy.
My domestic worker is 60 years of age. Is this too old to get DomestiCare cover?
No, if your domestic worker is still working, employed by you and aged between 18 and 65, then you can take out DomestiCare cover for them.
My domestic worker is not South African. Can I take out DomestiCare for him/her?
Yes, as long as your employee is in possession of a valid South African ID or refugee papers allowing him/her to live and work in South Africa.
Does DomestiCare cover my domestic worker's immediate family and children?
No, DomestiCare cover is for your employee only as it is an occupational health product and not a medical aid.
Are my DomestiCare employer payments tax deductible?
Yes, but only if you are self-employed, working from a home office and your domestic worker cleans your office.
Who do I speak to if I want more information about DomestiCare?
You can call the DomestiCare Client Contact Centre at CareCross Health on 0860 103 491 or email [email protected].
