5 Best Medical Aid for Family of 5

  In this guide, we explore the five best medical aid plans for a family of 5, focusing on the benefits that matter most—affordable contributions, excellent hospital cover, generous day-to-day benefits, and comprehensive care for both parents and children.   We’ve taken into account the different life stages and healthcare needs of each family member to be sure that the plans we recommend provide the right balance of coverage, flexibility, and value. In this guide you will learn:  

• ☑️ Why medical aid is essential for families of 5
• ☑️ The 5 best medical aid plans for a family of 5
• ☑️ Frequently asked questions

  As a family of five, your healthcare needs are diverse, from regular check-ups and vaccinations for the kids to comprehensive hospital cover and day-to-day medical expenses. Choosing the right medical aid plan can be overwhelming, especially with so many options on the market.   That’s why we’ve done the research for you, evaluating the top plans specifically for families like yours.    

Best Medical Aid for a Family of Five members

    You might also consider reading more about:

• 👉🏾 Best Medical Aids for 2 Adults
• 👉🏾 Best Medical Aid for Family of 4
• 👉🏾 Best Medical Aid for Family of 3

 

Why Medical Aid Is Essential for Families of Five ?

For a family of five, medical aid is not just a financial safety net—it’s a vital resource that provides access to quality healthcare. As families grow, healthcare needs become more diverse and unpredictable.   Children require regular checkups, vaccinations, dental care, and might encounter frequent doctor visits due to illnesses or accidents. Parents may also face their own healthcare challenges, including managing chronic conditions or planning for maternity care if the family is still expanding.   Having a comprehensive medical aid plan helps families avoid the financial strain that can come with unexpected medical emergencies or long-term healthcare needs.  

Importance of Comprehensive Healthcare for Families

☑️ Comprehensive healthcare is especially important for families because it offers peace of mind, knowing that all members—from the youngest child to the oldest parent—are covered. A family medical aid plan allows everyone to access general practitioners, specialists, and hospitals, whether for routine care or serious health issues.   ☑️ Beyond emergency hospital coverage, a good plan will also provide for regular screenings, preventive care, and wellness benefits, promoting overall family health and helping catch issues early before they escalate into bigger problems.  

Benefits to Look for in a Family Medical Aid Plan

☑️ When choosing a medical aid plan for a family of five, it’s important to look for plans that provide comprehensive hospital cover, day-to-day benefits like doctor visits and medications, and specific coverage for maternity and child healthcare.   ☑️ Plans with wellness benefits, including dental and optical cover, are also essential for keeping the entire family in good health.   ☑️ Many plans also offer savings accounts or preventive care programs, which can help manage out-of-pocket expenses. A well-rounded family medical aid plan ensures access to healthcare when it’s needed most, without placing major financial strain on the household.  

The 5 best medical aid plans for a family of 5

Below is our selection of the top 5 medical aid plans that cover various benefits for a family of 5.  

Discovery Health Essential Saver Plan

    ☑️ The Essential Saver Plan from Discovery Health is a solid choice for a family of five, offering comprehensive cover across various healthcare needs while being affordable.   ☑️ One of its standout features is the Medical Savings Account (MSA), which allocates 15% of the family’s monthly contribution to cover day-to-day medical expenses like GP visits, medicine, and basic healthcare services. This allows families to manage routine medical costs effectively.   ☑️ The Day-to-Day Extender Benefit (DEB) is another useful feature, as it extends cover for essential healthcare services even after the MSA is depleted. This is particularly beneficial for larger families where medical needs can quickly exceed the MSA balance. Children in the family are also covered for two casualty visits per year, which is particularly helpful for emergencies.   ☑️ For hospital cover, the Essential Saver Plan provides unlimited cover at any private hospital approved by Discovery Health, ensuring the entire family is protected during hospital admissions. The plan also covers maternity benefits, which include up to eight antenatal consultations, two ultrasound scans, and postnatal care for both mother and child.   ☑️ Then, the WELLTH Fund provides additional screening and prevention services, empowering the family to take proactive care of their health.  

What is the monthly premium for the Discovery Health medical aid plans?

• ☑️ From R1 184.00 (KeyCare Series) to R11 430.00 (Executive Plan) a month, you can choose from a number of different medical aid plans offered by Discovery Health.

 

What Is the Waiting Period for the Discovery Health medical aid plan Benefits?

Discovery Health applies different waiting periods depending on the individual’s circumstances. The waiting periods generally fall into two categories:   ☑️ General Waiting Period: ✔️ This is a 3-month waiting period during which the member cannot claim any benefits, except for Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) in emergencies. This applies to individuals who have not had medical aid cover for the past 90 days or those joining a medical aid scheme for the first time.   ☑️ Condition-Specific Waiting Period: ✔️ This is a 12-month waiting period that applies specifically to any pre-existing conditions the member had before joining the scheme. During this period, claims related to the pre-existing condition will not be covered.   ✔️ In both cases, Discovery Health will still provide cover for PMBs, which include emergency treatments for life-threatening conditions. However, it’s important to note that PMB cover only applies to treatment provided at a designated service provider (DSP) unless it is an emergency situation.  

How to Claim for Discovery Health Medical Aid Benefits

1. ☑️ Check that the provider is part of Discovery Health’s network, or confirm the services are covered.
2. ☑️ Most healthcare providers will submit claims directly to Discovery Health on your behalf.
3. ☑️ Log in to your Discovery Health account online or use the Discovery app to check if the claim has been processed.
4. ☑️ If the provider does not submit the claim, you can upload the invoice on the Discovery website or app, or email it to [email protected].
5. ☑️ If applicable, Discovery Health will pay the healthcare provider directly, or reimburse you based on your plan’s benefits.

 

Discovery Health Medical Aid Contact Details

• ✅ Phone: 0860 99 88 77​

• ✅ International Calls: +27 11 529 6900​

• ✅ Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 07:00 to 20:00; Saturday, 08:00 to 13:00; Closed on Sundays and public holidays​

• ✅ Website: www.discovery.co.za

• ✅ Physical address

1 Discovery Pl Sandhurst Sandton 2196  

Momentum Health Custom Option

    ☑️ The Custom Saver Plan from Momentum Health is a versatile option that provides great benefits for a family of five. One of its useful features is the flexibility to choose between any private hospital or a list of Associated hospitals, allowing families to either access a wider network or save on contributions by opting for the discounted Associated network.   ☑️ The plan offers unlimited hospital cover with no overall annual limit, resulting in comprehensive protection for the entire family. For chronic conditions, the plan covers 26 chronic conditions listed under Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs), giving families access to necessary treatments for chronic diseases.   ☑️ Families can choose from various options, including any provider, Associated providers, or state facilities, depending on their preferences and budget.   ☑️ For day-to-day expenses, families can benefit from the Momentum HealthSaver, a complementary product that allows them to save for GP visits, medicine, and other routine healthcare costs. This provides flexibility to manage out-of-pocket expenses effectively.   ☑️ The Health Platform Benefit adds additional value by covering preventative screenings, vaccinations, and maternity benefits. This is particularly useful for families with young children, as it includes baby immunizations, flu vaccines, and antenatal care.  

📌 Read more about Maternity Benefits offered by Momentum Health

 

What is the monthly premium for the Momentum medical aid plans?

• ☑️ Momentum Health offers medical aid plans with monthly rates ranging from R589.00 (Ingwe) to R14 903.00 (Summit) for principal members.

 

What Is the Waiting Period for the Momentum medical aid plan Benefits?

  Momentum Medical Aid applies the following waiting periods:   ☑️ General Waiting Period:   A 3-month waiting period during which no claims can be made, except for Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) in emergencies. This applies to individuals joining a medical aid scheme for the first time or those who have not had medical aid coverage for the past 90 days.   ☑️ Condition-Specific Waiting Period: A 12-month waiting period applies to pre-existing medical conditions. During this period, claims related to these conditions will not be covered.   ☑️ Late Joiner Penalty: For members over the age of 35 who have had no or limited medical aid cover, Momentum may apply a penalty, which affects contribution rates but not waiting periods.   During waiting periods, only PMBs are covered under specific circumstances (usually emergency situations).  

How to Claim for Momentum Health Medical Aid Benefits

☑️ Ensure the provider is part of Momentum Health’s network or confirm the services are covered by your plan.   ☑️ Most healthcare providers will submit claims directly to Momentum Health on your behalf.   ☑️ Use the Momentum Health app or member portal to track the status of your claim.   ☑️ If the provider doesn’t submit the claim, upload the invoice through the Momentum Health website or app.   ☑️ Momentum Health will either pay the provider directly or reimburse you based on your plan’s benefits.  

Momentum Health Medical Aid Contact Details

• ✅ Phone: 0860 11 78 59​

• ✅ International Calls: +27 31 573 4008 or +27 31 573 4000​

• ✅ Email: [email protected]

• ✅ Physical address:

19 West St Houghton Estate Johannesburg 2198

Bonitas BonFit Select Plan

The BonFit Select Plan from Bonitas is designed with affordability and essential coverage in mind, making it a great fit for a family of five. One of its primary advantages is that it uses a specific list of private hospitals and a linked formulary for chronic medication, which helps reduce contributions while maintaining access to necessary healthcare services.   Families benefit from unlimited hospital cover for specialist consultations and treatment, with network specialists covered in full and non-network specialists paid at 100% of the Bonitas Rate. This provides comprehensive coverage in hospital settings, which is critical for larger families who may experience more frequent healthcare needs.     For day-to-day medical expenses, the plan allows families to save through the use of Bonitas HealthSaver and offers additional GP consultations even after the savings have been depleted, providing a safety net for high usage.   Families with young children will appreciate the maternity and child benefits, which include antenatal consultations, 2D ultrasound scans, and post-delivery consultations. Children are covered for routine checkups, immunizations, and hearing screenings for newborns, so that the whole family receives preventive care.  

What is the monthly premium for the Bonitas medical aid plans?

• ☑️ From R1154.00 (BonCap Plan) to R11 321.00 (BonComprehensive Plan) is the price range for medical aid plans offered by Bonitas Medical Aid Scheme.

 

What Is the Waiting Period for the Bonitas medical aid plan Benefits?

  Bonitas medical aid applies the following waiting periods:   ☑️ General Waiting Period ✔️ A 3-month waiting period applies during which you cannot claim for any benefits, except for Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) in emergency situations. This applies to new members joining a medical aid scheme for the first time or those who have not had medical aid cover for more than 90 days.   ☑️ Condition-Specific Waiting Period ✔️ A 12-month waiting period for pre-existing medical conditions. During this time, claims related to those specific conditions will not be covered.   ☑️ Late Joiner Penalty ✔️ If you are over 35 years old and have had no or limited medical aid cover, Bonitas may apply a late joiner penalty that affects contribution rates but not the waiting periods.   During both types of waiting periods, PMBs are covered under specific emergency circumstances.  

How to Claim for Bonitas Medical Aid Benefits

1. ☑️ Log in to the Bonitas member portal or use the Bonitas app to check if the claim has been processed.
2. ☑️ If the provider doesn’t submit the claim, email the invoice to [email protected] or upload it via the Bonitas website or app.
3. ☑️ Bonitas will either pay the provider directly or reimburse you according to your plan’s benefits.

 

Bonitas Medical Aid Contact Details

• ✅ Phone: 0860 002 108 (local)​

• ✅ International Calls: +27 11 351 2200

• ✅ Email: [email protected]​

• ✅ Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00

• ✅ Website: www.bonitas.co.za

• ✅ Physical address​

34 Melrose Blvd Birnam Johannesburg 2196  

Fedhealth flexiFED 4 Plan

    💙 The FlexiFed 4 Plan from Fedhealth offers excellent benefits tailored to the needs of a family of five, especially mature families. One of its standout features is the flexibility it offers, with options like GRID and Elect, which allow families to reduce their monthly contributions by using specific network hospitals or paying a co-payment for planned hospital procedures.   💙 Families benefit from unlimited hospital cover, ensuring that any planned or emergency treatments at private hospitals are fully covered. For day-to-day care, the plan offers unlimited network GP consultations, providing immediate access to essential healthcare without additional costs.   💙 The childhood benefits make this plan particularly appealing for families, covering routine immunizations, paediatric consultations, infant hearing screenings, and childhood illness medications up to the age of 18. The plan also covers 27 chronic disease conditions and extends chronic care benefits for common childhood conditions such as asthma, eczema, and acne up to the age of 21.   💙 For expectant families, the maternity benefits are comprehensive, covering natural deliveries, epidurals, C-sections, antenatal scans, and midwife consultations. Postnatal care includes home visits and doula support.  

What is the monthly premium for the Fedhealth medical aid plans?

• ☑️  Fedhealth offers a variety of medical aid plans with monthly prices starting at R1055.00 (FlexiFED Savvy) and going up to R16 937.00 (maxima PLUS).

 

What Is the Waiting Period for the Fedhealth medical aid plan benefits?

💙 Fedhealth medical aid applies the following waiting periods:   ☑️ General Waiting Period ✔️ A 3-month waiting period during which no claims can be made, except for Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) in emergency situations. This applies to new members or those who have not had medical aid coverage for more than 90 days.   ☑️ Condition-Specific Waiting Period ✔️ A 12-month waiting period for pre-existing medical conditions. Claims related to these conditions will not be covered during this period.   ☑️ Late Joiner Penalty ✔️ For members over the age of 35 with no or limited previous medical aid cover, a late joiner penalty may apply, affecting contributions but not waiting periods.   PMBs are covered during waiting periods under specific emergency circumstances.  

How to Claim for Fedhealth Medical Aid Benefits

1. ☑️ Most healthcare providers will submit claims directly to Fedhealth on your behalf.
2. ☑️ Use the Fedhealth member portal or mobile app to track your claim status.
3. ☑️ If the provider doesn’t submit the claim, upload the invoice on the Fedhealth website or app, or email it to [email protected].
4. ☑️ Fedhealth will either pay the provider directly or reimburse you according to your plan’s benefits.

 

Fedhealth Medical Aid Contact Details

• ✅ Phone: 0860 002 153

• ✅ Email:

• ✅ Postal Address: Private Bag X3045, Randburg, 2125

• ✅ Website: www.fedhealth.co.za

• ✅ Physical address 14 Mispel Road

Bellville 7530  

Medihelp MedPrime Plan

      💙 The MedPrime Plan from Medihelp offers comprehensive benefits that are well-suited for a family of five. This plan provides a mix of hospital and day-to-day coverage, ensuring that all family members receive essential care throughout the year.   💙 One of the big advantages for families is the inclusion of a 10% savings account available at the beginning of each year, which covers GP visits, specialists, and acute medicine. Once the savings are depleted, an additional pooled insured benefit becomes available, giving families more financial flexibility for day-to-day healthcare expenses.   💙 For hospitalisation, the plan offers extensive cover with no overall annual limit, ensuring that families have access to high-quality private hospital care. It covers 271 Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) conditions, along with comprehensive chronic medicine cover, making it ideal for families with chronic health conditions.   💙 The plan also includes comprehensive dental and optometry cover, essential for families with children who require regular check-ups. Families also benefit from emergency transport, maternity benefits, and post-hospital care, providing a complete healthcare solution.   💙 The MedPrime Elect option allows families to reduce their monthly contributions by using a network of hospitals, making it a cost-effective yet comprehensive solution for families looking for quality healthcare at an affordable rate.  

What is the monthly premium for the Medihelp medical aid plans?

Depending on the plan you select, the Medihelp plans begin at R750.00 (MedMove Student) for the principal member and the premium plan R14 184.00 (MedPlus).  

What Is the Waiting Period for the Medihelp medical aid plan benefits?

Medihelp medical aid applies the following waiting periods:   ☑️ General Waiting Period: ✔️ A 3-month waiting period applies, during which no claims can be made, except for Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) in emergency situations. This applies to individuals joining a medical aid for the first time or those who have not had cover for more than 90 days.   ☑️ Condition-Specific Waiting Period: ✔️ A 12-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions, during which claims related to these conditions will not be covered.   ☑️ Late Joiner Penalty: ✔️ A penalty may apply to individuals over the age of 35 with no or limited previous medical aid cover, affecting contribution rates but not the waiting periods.   ✔️ During the waiting periods, PMBs are covered in emergencies according to the scheme rules. It is advisable to check the specific terms of your Medihelp plan or consult Medihelp directly to get detailed information on how waiting periods may apply based on your individual circumstances.  

How to Claim for Medihelp Medical Aid Benefits

1. ☑️ Most healthcare providers will file claims directly with Medihelp on your behalf.
2. ☑️ To check the progress of your claim, visit the Medihelp member online or download the mobile app.
3. ☑️ If the provider fails to submit the claim, upload the invoice to the Medihelp website or app, or email it to [email protected].
4. ☑️ Medihelp will either pay the provider directly or reimburse you based on your plan's coverage.

 

Medihelp Medical Aid Contact Details

 

• ✅ Phone: 086 0100 678 (Local)​Medihelp Medical Scheme+5MedicalAid.com+5Medical Aid Search+5

• ✅ International Calls: +27 12 336 9000​Medihelp Medical Scheme+1MedicalAid.com+1

• ✅ Email: [email protected]​Medical Aid Search

• ✅ Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday, 07:00 to 17:00; Friday, 08:00 to 16:00​

• ✅ Website: www.medihelp.co.za

• ✅ Physical adress:

189 Clark St Brooklyn Pretoria 0181  

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best type of medical aid plan for a family of five?

For a family of five, comprehensive plans that include hospital cover, day-to-day benefits, and preventative care are ideal. Look for plans that offer good coverage for children’s healthcare needs, maternity benefits, and wellness screenings.  

Do medical aid plans charge for all children in a family?

Most medical aid plans only charge for up to two or three children, with additional children being covered at no extra cost. This makes it more affordable for larger families.  

What should I look for in a medical aid plan for my family?

When choosing a plan, consider hospital cover, day-to-day benefits for GP visits and medication, chronic condition management, and preventive care services like vaccinations and health screenings for children.  

Are maternity benefits included in family medical aid plans?

Yes, many family medical aid plans offer maternity benefits, which may include antenatal consultations, scans, and postnatal care for both the mother and baby. Be sure to check the specifics of each plan.

📌 Read more about the best hospital plans for kids

 

Can I claim for child immunisations and regular check-ups under medical aid?

Yes, most family-oriented medical aid plans cover essential healthcare services for children, including immunizations, regular paediatric check-ups, and screenings as part of their day-to-day benefits.