Medical schemes are to increase their premiums by up to four times the current inflation rate of 3.3% in January, reports News24, with Bonitas pushing its rates up by a weighted average of 8.8%, Medshield by 7.5% and Bestmed by 6.8%.
Discovery Health Medical Scheme, however, is deferring the pain of a premium hike by three months, saying its increase – of 7.2% – will kick in only on 1 April, reports BusinessLIVE.
Earlier this year, the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) had recommended an inflation-related increase of 3.3% for 2026 premiums. However, it contains an often-overlooked phrase: “plus reasonable utilisation estimates”.
With more than 2.7m beneficiaries, Discovery said that thanks in part to better-than-anticipated returns on its investments, it expects to end the year with a solvency ratio of 31.5%, significantly higher than the statutory requirement of 25%.
It will thus return R1.5bn to members by delaying next year’s hike to 1 April, when contributions will increase by a weighted average of 7.2% – lower than the 9.3% weighted average contribution increase implemented in January 2025.
“We know that members really appreciated the deferral of increases during Covid-19, and given that the scheme has excess solvency, the decision was made to use some of [it] to defer the increase to the first of April 2026,” said Deon Kotze, Chief Commercial Officer for DHMS’s administrator, Discovery Health.
The hikes, benefit changes and the launch of new plans aimed at young families, were subject to approval by the CMS – which usually approves higher contribution increases.
DHMS’s 7.2% contribution increase comprises an anticipated increase in medical inflation broadly in line with consumer price inflation – which the SA reserve bank estimates will be 4.2% for 2026 – and a 3%-4% increase in utilisation prices, Kotze said. Increased utilisation is driven by new medical technology and the increasing needs of an older, sicker population, he added.
News24 reports that according to Medshield, about 72% of its members will pay 7% more as of 1 January, while the weighted average is 7.5%. The highest increase announced is for MediCore, at 9.9%. Medshield has 250 000 beneficiaries.
The second-biggest open scheme, Bonitas, which covers about 730 000 lives, announced a weighted average increase of 8.8% last week, with fund increases varying from 6.9% to 11.3%.
Bestmed, which covers about 220 000 lives, is increasing its premiums by a weighted average of 6.8%, with some options as low as 5.1% and the highest 7.8%.
Medshield expands benefits
Medshield said it will be offering new benefits, increases in benefit limits, and the removal or reduction of out-of-pocket expenses. “The 2026 benefits balance affordability, and improve access to quality healthcare,” it said.
A new focus is placed on preventative healthcare, including diabetic retinal eye screening, continuous glucose monitoring, and annual mammograms for all members 30 and older on all options.
“Through structured benefits, targeted education, and provider partnerships… members will have access to the kind of innovative healthcare that doesn’t just treat illness, it helps avoid it,” said Kevin Aron, principal officer of Medshield.
While MediCore has the highest increase, of 9.9%, MediPlus Prime and MediPlus Compact also have high increases of 8.9%. MediCurve, MediValue Prime and MediValue Compact have the lowest increase, of 7%.
New plans from Bonitas
Bonitas, with 730 000 members, has launched a new hospital plan called BonCore with added GP consultations and preventative screening benefits. Bonitas said it was “designed to attract digitally savvy professionals aged between 22 and 35, entering their peak earning years”.
The income-based BonCap plans saw the highest increases, 11.3%, and the lowest, 6.9%, on BonFit. The BonComprehensive plan’s premiums increased by 10.5%, and BonClassic and BonComplete both increased by 9.5%.
It has also converted its Primary Select plan to BonPrime, which now has an improved savings plan.
Bestmed announces low increases
Bestmed’s premiums increase by a weighted average of 6.8%, the lowest being 5.1% and the highest 7.8%.
The lowest increase is for the Beat4 plan, while the Pace2, Pace3 and Pace4 plans have increases of 7.%.
Like Bonitas and Medshield, it has increased preventative benefits, including expanding colon and testicular cancer screening, and it is now covering intra-uterine contraceptive devices.
“Our expanded benefits reflect the changing needs of our members, from oncology to women’s health, while continuing to reinforce our commitment to delivering tangible value and improved quality of care,” said Leo Dlamini, CEO and principal officer of Bestmed.
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Return of medical schemes’ premium hikes
SA’s medical aid members at tipping point, AfriForum warns
State medical aid premiums now unaffordable, claims PSA