Overall, the Bestmed Beat 1 Medical Aid Plan is a trustworthy Hospital option that offers 24/7 medical emergency assistance and in-hospital procedures to all Family Members. The Bestmed Beat 1 Medical Aid Plan starts from R2,111 ZAR.
| π€ Main Member Contribution | R2,347 |
| π₯ Adult Dependent Contribution | R1,822 |
| πΌ Child Dependent Contribution | R987 |
| π International Cover | R5 million and 1 million in USA |
| π Gap Cover | Available separately through Gap Cover Providers |
| π₯ Hospital Cover | βοΈ Yes |
| π Home Care | βοΈ Yes |
| πͺ₯ Dentistry Benefit | βοΈ Yes |
| π¦· Advanced Dentistry | β No |
| π HIV Care Program | βοΈ Yes |
The Bestmed Beat 1 medical aid plan is one of 14, starting from R2,111 and includes in-hospital procedures and treatment of medical events, international cover, maternity, and more.
Gap Cover is not included on the Bestmed Beat 1 Plan. Bestmed offers 24/7 medical emergency assistance. BestmedΒ received the top honours in the Medical Aid Companies category at the latest Ask Afrika Orange Index Awards.
Did you know Bestmed offers 14 other plans to choose from e.g. Beat 2, Beat 3, Beat 4 β
π Download the latestΒ Beat 1 Product brochure for 2025 from BestMed.
| π Member | π€ Main Member | π₯ +1 Adult Dependent | π +1 Child Dependent |
| π Network | R2,111 | R1,641 | R889 |
| β‘οΈ Non-Network | R2,347 | R1,822 | R987 |
Only in-hospital cover is provided on Beat 1.
Method of Payment on Beat 1 Plan:
While using DSPs, any benefits related to conditions that meet the requirements for PMBs will be covered in full.
Bestmed Beat 1 Scheme Benefits for Different Medical Events In-Hospital:
A maximum co-payment of R14,364 will apply if a member chooses not to utilize a hospital that is part of a hospital network for the Beat 1 Network option.
| π₯ In-Hospital Accommodation and fees for the theatre | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. |
| π Take-home medication after discharge | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. Limited to a 7-day supply. |
| π Biological medicine (in-hospital) | Annually limited to R11,610 per family. Subject to pre-approval and financial restrictions. |
| π Treatment in Mental Health Clinics | Approved PMBs at DSPs. Limited to a maximum of 21 days per beneficiary per financial year in hospital including inpatient electroconvulsive therapy and inpatient psychotherapy, OR 15 contact sessions for out-patient psychotherapy per beneficiary per financial year. Subject to pre-authorisation |
| π§ͺ Chemical and Substance Abuse Treatment | Benefits shall be limited to the treatment of PMB conditions and subject to: Subject to: * Limited to 21 daysβ stay for in-hospital management per year. * Pre-authorisation required * Subject to members using network facilities. |
| π©Ί Consultations and procedures | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. |
| βοΈ Surgical Procedures (including anesthetic) | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. |
| β€οΈ Organ Transplants | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. Only PMBs are covered under this benefit. |
| π Major medical maxillo-facial surgery (Only specified conditions) | No benefit. Only PMBs are covered. |
| π¦· In- and Out-of-Hospital Dental and oral surgery | Only PMBs are covered at DSP day hospitals. |
| 𦡠Prostheses are subject to preferred providers or co-payments, and limits will apply | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. There is a limit of p to R95,377 per family. |
| π¦Ύ Internal Prostheses (Preferred Providers or limits and co-payments will apply) Functional items used must be towards treating or supporting bodily functions | The following sub-limits apply per beneficiary Functional limited to β R34,047 Pacemakers (single & dual chamber) β R51,998 Vascular β R54,915 Spinal, including artificial discs β R38,068 Drug-eluting stents β only PMBs using DSP products Mesh β R13,360 Gynecology/Urology β R10,917 Lens Implants (per lens, per eye) β R8,330 |
| β Joint replacement surgery | The following prostheses limits apply to PMBs: Hip replacement and other major joints β R40,075 Knee replacement β R49,413 Other minor joints β R15,371 |
| π Orthopedic and Medical Appliances | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. Limited to R15 000 per family per annum. |
| π Pathology | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. |
| π Radiology | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. |
| π MRI, CT scans, and other specialized diagnostics | Limited to a combined in- and out-ofοΏΎhospital benefit of R20 000 per family per annum. Co-payment of R2 600 per scan, not applicable to PMBs. PET scans – PMB only. Subject to pre-authorisation |
| π Oncology | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. The benefit is subject to pre-authorization and the use of DSP |
| π© Peritoneal Dialysis and hemodialysis | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. The benefit is subject to pre-authorization and the use of DSP |
| πΌ Birthing Confinements | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. |
| π HIV/AIDS | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. The benefit is subject to pre-authorization and the use of DSP |
| π Refractive Surgery (and all other procedures that aim to improve or stabilize vision, excluding cataracts) | Only PMBs are covered. |
| πΌ Midwife-assisted birth | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. |
| π Supplementary Services | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. |
| π Hospitalization Alternatives | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. |
| π Palliative and Home-Based Care instead of hospitalization / Advanced Illness Benefit | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. There is a limit of R69,654 per beneficiary yearly. Subject to benefit availability, pre-authorization, and treatment plan. |
| β³οΈ Day Procedures performed at a day hospital | Day procedures performed in a day hospital by a DSP provider will be funded at 100% network or Scheme tariff, subject to pre-authorisation, protocols, funding guidelines and DSPs. A co-payment of R2 746 will be incurred per event if a day procedure is done in an acute hospital that is not a day hospital. If a DSP is used and the DSP does not work in a day hospital, the procedure shall be paid in full if it is done in an acute hospital, if it is arranged with the Scheme before the time. |
| π International Travel Cover | Leisure Travel: Coverage is limited to 90 days and R1 million for trips to the United States. All other nations are insured for up to 90 days, and a family (member and dependents) is protected for R5 million. Business Travel to the United States is limited to 60 days and covers up to R1 million All other nations are insured for up to 60 days, and a family (member and dependents) is protected for R5 million. |
| π© Co-Payments for using a non-network option | Non-network hospital co-payment * Co-payment for voluntary use of non-network hospital R14 364 applicable to network options. Procedure-specific co-payments: * The co-payment shall not apply to PMB conditions: β’ Arthroscopic procedures R3 660. β’ Back and neck surgery R3 660. β’ Functional nasal and sinus procedures R2 000. β’ Laparoscopic procedures R3 660. β’ Colonoscopies R2 000. β’ Cystoscopies R2 000. β’ Gastroscopies R2 000. β’ Hysteroscopies R2 000. β’ Sigmoidoscopies R2 000. A co-payment of R2 746, as described in the Day procedures benefit, will be incurred per event if a day procedure is done in an acute hospital that is not a day hospital. |
Non-network pharmacies and non-network DSP specialists will be reimbursed at the Scheme rate, including treatment of PMBs, if the member chooses the network option.
| βοΈ Diabetes Primary Care Consultation | Covered up to 100% of the Scheme price. Subject to HaloCare registration. Two consultations for primary care at Dis-Chem pharmacies. |
| β
Wound Care Benefit (Dressings, negative pressure wound therapy NPWT treatment, and other nursing services Out-of-hospital) | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. Limited to R4,267 per family per year. |
| βοΈ Oncology | Oncology program at the full Scheme rate. Subject to pre-approval and DSP. |
| β Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. Subject to pre-approval and DSP. |
| βοΈ HIV/AIDS | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. Subject to pre-approval and DSP. |
| β MRI scans, CT scans, and isotope studies | Limited to a combined in- and out-of hospital benefit of R20 000 per family per annum. Co-payment of R2 600 per scan, not applicable to PMBs. PET scans – PMB only. Subject to pre-authorisation. |
| βοΈ Rehabilitation after a traumatic event | Only PMBs are covered. Subject to pre-approval and DSP. |
Members selecting the network option are required to receive their medications from Scheme-contracted pharmacies.
| π CDL and PMB Chronic Conditions | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed tariff. There is a co-payment of 30% for non-formulary medicine. |
| π Non-CDL chronic medicine | No Benefit |
| πOver the Counter medicine | No Benefit |
| π Acute medicine | No Benefit |
| π Biological medicine | Only PMBs are covered according to funding protocols. Subject to pre-approval. |
| π Other high-cost medication | Only PMBs are covered according to funding protocols. Subject to pre-approval. |
The Bestmed Beat 1 Chronic Condition List and Prescribed Minimum Benefits are as follows:
CDL:
and more…
PMB:
The following benefits could be subject to pre-approval, clinical procedures, preferred providers (PPs), designated service providers (DSPs), formularies, funding guidelines, and the Mediscor Reference Pricing (MRP).
| π Benefit | π Gender and Age Group | π Quantity and Frequency | βοΈ Criteria |
| π Flu Vaccines | All | 1 per beneficiary yearly | Applies to all active participants and recipients. |
| βοΈ Pneumonia Vaccines | Children <2 Years High-risk adult group | Children β according to the Department of Health Adults β Twice in a lifetime with a booster for beneficiaries 65> | Adults: The Scheme will identify high-risk adults who will be encouraged to receive vaccinations. |
| πΆ Baby Growth and Development Assessments | 0 β 2 Years | 3 Assessments per year | Pharmaceutical clinics under the Bestmed Network perform assessments. |
| β³οΈ Female Contraceptives | All female beneficiaries of child-bearing age | Depends on the product according to the maximum allowed amount | Annually limited to R2,000 per beneficiary. Covers all items categorized under the female contraception category. |
| β‘οΈ HPV Vaccinations | Females 9 β 26 | 3 vaccines per beneficiary | Vaccinations are funded according to the MRP |
| π Mammogram | All females 40 years> | Once every 2 years | Covered up to 100% of the Bestmed Scheme tariff |
| π Back and Neck Preventative Care Program | All | Subject to pre-authorization | Providers of choice (DBC/Workability Clinics). This is a prophylactic approach designed to avoid the need for back and neck surgery. The System could discover suitable volunteers. Based on the initial evaluation, a rehabilitation treatment plan is developed and implemented over a period indicated by the provider. This program is an alternative to surgery. |
| π©Ί Pap Smear | Female beneficiaries 18 and older | Once every 24 months | Possible at a gynecologist, family physician, or pharmacy clinic. The consultation will be at the memberβs expense. |
The Bestmed Tempo wellness program is designed to assist you in enhancing your health and reaping the benefits that come with it. Therefore, members can access the following advantages:
| π Temporary Health Assessment (HA) for adults (16 years and older) that includes one of the following per adult beneficiary per year | The Tempo lifestyle questionnaire Blood pressure check Cholesterol check Glucose check Height, weight, and waist circumference These assessments must be conducted at a contracted pharmacy or on-site at employer groups participating in the program. |
| π Bestmed Tempo Fitness and Nutrition Programs (for those older than 16) | Fitness 1 x (face-to-face) fitness assessment with a Tempo partner biokinetics. 1 x (virtual or face-to-face) follow-up discussion to receive a customized fitness/exercise plan from a Tempo partner biokinetics. These fitness benefits are designed to support your Tempo Get Active journey. Nutrition 1 x (in-person) nutrition evaluation with a Tempo partner dietician 1 x follow-up (virtual or in-person) consultation with a Tempo partner dietician to receive your personalized healthy-eating plan. These nutritional benefits are designed to support your Tempo Nutritional Health Journey. |
| π Emotional wellness journey | Licensed psychologists and healthcare professionals designed this to help you understand and manage your emotions and their impact on your mental health. In addition, this Adventure grants you access to the following: Lifestyle-related knowledge that will assist you in adapting to lifeβs alterations and surprises. Practical obstacles that will allow you to practice the new abilities you must acquire to evolve from your current emotional and mental state to the state you seek. |
| πΌ Maternity Benefits | Covered up to 100% of the Scheme tariff. Depending on the following benefits: Consultations Six prenatal consultations with a general practitioner, gynecologist, or midwife. Ultrasounds 1 x 2D ultrasound scan in the first trimester (between 10 and 12 weeks) performed by an FP OR gynecologist OR radiologist. 1 x 2D ultrasound scan in the second trimester (between 20 and 24 weeks) performed by an FP OR gynecologist OR radiologist. |
π€°π½ The Maternity care program is available to pregnant members and their dependents, providing them with comprehensive services and information.
π€°π½ It has been designed with expectant parentsβ specific needs and support networks.
π€°π½ It provides support, education, and advice throughout pregnancy, confinement, and the postnatal period.
Try our free Ovulation Calculator
π€°π½ To access these services, members must register for the Bestmed Maternity care program when they receive confirmation of their pregnancy through a pathology test or scan from their family practitioner or gynaecologist.
π€°π½ Once registration is complete, a consultant will reach out to them.
You might also consider: Health Insurance for Pregnancy
Bestmed Beat 1 Exclusion
Some of the following are excluded from Beat 1. The comprehensive list can be found on the official Bestmed website.
Finally, Unkept appointments by members, and more.
Bestmed Beat 1 Waiting Periods
The following might apply when you register for medical cover with the Bestmed Beat 1 plan as prescribed by Legislation and is applicable to all medical schemes:
A late-joiner contribution penalty can be applied according to Legislative guidelines.
| BestMed Beat 1 (2025) | Medihelp MedVital Elect (2025) | Discovery KeyCare (2025) | |
| π International Cover | R5 million and 1Milion in USA | n/a | None |
| π€ Main Member Contribution | R2,347 | R2,022 | R1,102 |
| π₯ Adult Dependent Contribution | R1,822 | R1,470 | R1,102 |
| πΌ Child Dependent Contribution | R987 | R852 | R664 |
| π Gap Cover | None | βοΈ Yes | βοΈ Yes |
| πΆ Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMB) | β Yes | β Yes | β Yes |
| βοΈ Screening and Prevention | βοΈ Yes | βοΈ Yes | βοΈ Yes |
| π¦· Dentistry Benefit | β Yes | β Yes | β Yes |
| π Mental Healthcare Program | βοΈ Yes | βοΈ Yes | βοΈ Yes |
| β‘οΈ Diabetes Care Program | β Yes | β Yes | β Yes |
Bestmed Beat 1 is a comprehensive Hospital option that covers in-hospital expenses. In addition, it includes chronic medication coverage, preventative care benefits, and a maternity program.
You might also consider the following options BestMed has to offer:
Bestmed Beat 1 is a comprehensive Hospital option that covers in-hospital expenses. In addition, it includes chronic medication coverage, preventative care benefits, and a maternity program.
PMB’s only at DSP Hospitals.
The Bestmed Beat 1 is a Hospital Option costing from R2 111,00 monthly for the Network Hospital option and R2 347,00 for the Any Hospital option.
YES, Bestmed Beat 1 is a Medical Scheme Hospital plan. It offers good value for money.
Yes, members of Bestmed Beat 1 have access to a network of healthcare providers, including hospitals, doctors, and specialists.
NO, Bestmed Beat 1 is priced very well in comparison with other similar Medical Scheme options.
Bestmed Beat 1 includes a range of benefits, including in-hospital coverage, chronic medication cover, preventative care benefits, and a maternity program.
Yes, there may be limits on certain benefits with Bestmed Beat 1, which could impact members who require more comprehensive medical care.
Yes, Bestmed Beat 1 includes preventative care benefits, which can help members to maintain good health and manage chronic conditions effectively.
Bestmed Beat 1 includes a maternity program providing comprehensive information and services for expectant parents and their support networks.
Adriaan holds an MBA and specializes in medical aid research. With his commitment to perfection, he ensures the accuracy of all data presented on medicalaid.com every three months. When he is not conducting research, Adriaan can be found indulging in his passion for trout fishing amidst nature.
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