Bonitas Primary Select Medical Aid Plan (🇿🇦 2025)

  Overall, the Bonitas Primary Select Medical Aid Plan is a trustworthy and comprehensive medical aid plan that offers 24/7 medical emergency assistance and unlimited Hospital Cover to its members. The Bonitas Primary Select Medical Aid Plan starts from R2 946.    

Bonitas Primary Select Review - 11 Key Point Quick Overview

1. ☑️ Bonitas Primary Select Plan Overview
2. ☑️ Bonitas Primary Select Plan Contributions
3. ☑️ Bonitas Primary Select Benefits and Cover Comprehensive Breakdown
4. ☑️ Bonitas Primary Select Out-of-Hospital Benefits
5. ☑️ Bonitas Primary Select Chronic Benefits
6. ☑️ Bonitas Primary Select Plan Additional Benefits
7. ☑️ Bonitas Primary Select Plan In-Hospital Benefits
8. ☑️ Bonitas Primary Select Plan Exclusions and Waiting Periods
9. ☑️ Bonitas Primary Select Plan vs. Other Bonitas Medical Fund Plan Options
10. ☑️ Our Verdict on the Bonitas Primary Select Plan
11. ☑️ Bonitas Primary Select Plan Frequently Asked Questions

Bonitas Primary Select Plan Overview

  The Bonitas Primary Select Plan starts from R2,946. It includes maternity, in- and out-of-hospital cover, international travel, PMBs, and more.   Gap Cover is available on the Bonitas Primary Select Plan, along with 24/7 medical emergency assistance. According to the Trust Index, Bonitas Medical Fund has a trust rating of 4.5.   👉🏿 Download the Primary Select Guide for 2025

Bonitas Primary Select Plan Contributions

   

Bonitas Primary Select Benefits and Cover Comprehensive Breakdown

  The Bonitas Primary Select Plan offers an overall day-to-day limit, subject to the applicable sub-limit per category and the out-of-hospital medical expenses covered by the day-to-day benefits include doctor and specialist visits  

Bonitas Primary Select Out-of-Hospital Benefits

Bonitas Primary Select Plan members must note that once they complete the wellness screening or the online questionnaire, the Benefit Booster is activated and can be used to pay for out-of-hospital expenses first.  

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Overall Day-to-Day Limits on the Bonitas Primary Select Plan

  Up to the overall day-to-day limit, subject to the applicable sub-limit per category, the out-of-hospital medical expenses covered by the day-to-day benefits include doctor and specialist visits, acute medicine, X-rays, blood tests, and other similar procedures.   ➡️ The sub-limits below represent the maximum allowed for each category, subject to the total daily limit.     ➡️ The sub-limits below represent the maximum allowed for each category, subject to the total daily limit.    

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Bonitas Primary Select Chronic Benefits

Bonitas Primary Select Plan covers 28 Chronic conditions from the relevant formulary. Therefore, the only acceptable method of obtaining your prescribed medication is through Pharmacy Direct, a designated service provider.   A 30% co-payment will be required if you choose not to use Pharmacy Direct or if you use a medication that is not on the formulary.  Furthermore, The Bonitas Primary Select Plan Covers the following PMBs.  

• ✅ Addison’s Disease
• ✅ Asthma
• ✅ Bipolar Mood Disorder
• ✅ Bronchiectasis
• ✅ Cardiac Failure
• ✅ Cardiomyopathy
• ✅ Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• ✅ Chronic Renal Disease
• ✅ Coronary Artery Disease
• ✅ Crohn’s Disease

    and many more...  

Bonitas Primary Select Plan Additional Benefits

  Available upon completion of a wellness questionnaire or screening. There is an R3,800 limit per family that can be used for a range of out-of-hospital claims, including the following:  

• ✅ GP and specialist consultations.
• ✅ Acute and over-the-counter medicine.
• ✅ Biokineticists and physiotherapists consultations and treatment.
• ✅ Paramedical services include dietician, speech and occupational therapy consultations, and treatment.
• ✅ Alternative healthcare such as homeopathic consultations, treatment, and acupuncture.
• ✅ X-rays
• ✅ Blood tests
• ✅ When an adult recipient has completed a wellness screening or online wellness questionnaire, dependent children are eligible for the Benefit Booster.

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Bonitas Primary Select Plan Maternity Care

  This benefit offers the following:  

• ✅ Six antenatal consultations with a gynecologist, GP, or midwife.
• ✅ Two 2D ultrasound scans.
• ✅ One amniocentesis
• ✅ Four postpartum consultations with a midwife (1 can be used for a consultation with a lactation specialist).
• ✅ R195 per month for antenatal vitamins during pregnancy (Paid from available acute medicine benefit or Benefit Booster, subject to formulary)

Bonitas Primary Select Plan Maternity Programme

  With this benefit, members can get the following benefits:  

• ✅ Access to a maternity advice line available around the clock.
• ✅ Dedicated maternity nurse/midwife to support and advise you during your pregnancy.
• ✅ Access to articles on prevalent pregnancy issues.
• ✅ You receive weekly pregnancy education emails and text messages.
• ✅ Online prenatal classes prepare you for childbirth and what to expect at home.
• ✅ Early identification of high-risk pregnancies
• ✅ Weekly engagement for high-risk pregnancies
• ✅ Post-childbirth follow-up calls
• ✅ Online assessments for pregnancy and mental health
• ✅ A Baby bag containing baby care necessities.

Bonitas Primary Select Plan Wellness Benefit

  There is one wellness examination per recipient at a participating pharmacy, biokinetics, or Bonita's wellness day. The health examination includes the following tests:  

• ✅ Blood pressure
• ✅ Glucose
• ✅ Cholesterol
• ✅ Body Mass Index
• ✅ Waist-to-hip ratio

Bonitas Primary Select Plan Preventative Care

  This benefit includes the following:  

• ✅ One HIV test and counseling for each recipient.
• ✅ One flu vaccine per beneficiary.
• ✅ One complete lipogram every 5 years for individuals aged 20 and older.
• ✅ One mammogram every two years for women over 40.
• ✅ Women aged 21 to 65 should undergo a pap smear every three years.
• ✅ Men between 55 and 69 qualify for one prostate screening antigen test yearly.
• ✅ Members 65 and older receive 1 pneumococcal vaccine every 5 years.
• ✅ One stool test for colon cancer for individuals aged 45 to 75.
• ✅ Dental fissure sealants prevent tooth decay in permanent teeth in children younger than 16 years.
• ✅ Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters as directed by the National Health Service.
• ✅ 2 doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for female beneficiaries between ages 9 and 14 (limited to 1 course per lifetime)
• ✅ 3 doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for female beneficiaries between ages 15 and 26 (limited to 1 course per lifetime)
• ✅ Free online hearing screening for beneficiaries aged 18 and over on the Bonitas website

Bonitas Primary Select Plan Contraceptives

• ✅ R1,970 per household for the Bonitas Primary Select Plan (for women aged up to 50).
• ✅ It would help if you used the Designated Service Provider for contraceptives dispensed by a pharmacy.
• ✅ A 40% co-payment applies if you choose not to use a Designated Service Provider.

Bonitas Primary Select Plan Africa Benefit

  This benefit is subject to authorization but provides in-hospital and out-of-hospital treatment at 100% of Bonita's Rate.  

Bonitas Primary Select Plan Childcare

  This benefit offers the following benefits:  

• ✅ Hearing screening for infants up to 8 weeks of age, in or outside the hospital.
• ✅ Screening for congenital hypothyroidism in infants younger than one month.
• ✅ Babyline: 24-hour medical advice line for children younger than 3 years.
• ✅ One pediatrician or general practitioner visit per child under one year.
• ✅ One consultation with a pediatrician or general practitioner per child aged 1 to 2.
• ✅ One doctor visit per child between the ages of 2 and 12.
• ✅ Immunization according to South Africa’s Expanded Programme on Immunization until the age of 12.
• ✅ Milestone reminders for children under 3 years
• ✅ Online screenings for infant and toddler health
• ✅ 2 vision screening tests for premature newborns up to 6 weeks, in or out-of-hospital

Bonitas Primary Select Plan International Travel Benefit

  Before departure, you must register for this benefit. The Bonitas Primary Select Plan International Travel Benefit covers up to R2.5 million in medical emergency cover per family when traveling outside South Africa. Furthermore, an additional benefit for medical quarantine is up to R10,000 per recipient if Covid-19 is detected.  

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Bonitas Primary Select Plan Hospital-at-Home

  This benefit offers the following:  

• ✅ Care for any acute condition deemed necessary by your treating physician, such as pneumonia or Covid-19.
• ✅ Alternative to general ward admission and step-down facilities, enabling patients to receive quality, safe healthcare in the comfort of their own homes.
• ✅ Remote patient monitoring, including round-the-clock monitoring of vital signs from our clinical command center, continuous virtual visits and clinical support, continuous care from a physician, short-term oxygen (as prescribed), and emergency ambulance services.
• ✅ In addition to remote patient monitoring, daily visits, laboratory services, blood tests, wound dressings, medication/fluids via a drip, allied healthcare services, and physiotherapy, Bonita's hospital setup at home also includes remote patient monitoring (as prescribed)
• ✅ A team of trained medical professionals, including skilled nurses, will bring all the essential elements of hospital care to your home.
• ✅ Re-admissions can be reduced with the help of a transitional care program.
• ✅ Hospital-at-Home requires prior authorization.

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Bonitas Primary Select Plan Cancer Cover

  The Bonitas Primary Select Plan’s Cancer Cover benefit works in the following ways:  

• ✅ Provides you with emotional and medical support.
• ✅ Consults your physician to confirm that your treatment plan is clinically appropriate for your needs.
• ✅ Social worker access for you and your loved ones.
• ✅ Utilizes the Bonitas Oncology Medicine Network. Non-network providers are subject to a 20% co-payment.
• ✅ Matches your treatment plan to your insurance benefits to ensure you have the necessary coverage.
• ✅Specialists from the Bonitas Oncology Network are utilized.

Bonitas Primary Select Plan HIV / AIDS Benefit

  This benefit works in the following ways:  

• ✅ Offers appropriate treatment and the means to live your best life.
• ✅ Provides HIV-related consultations to monitor your doctor’s clinical status.
• ✅ Provides access to telephone support from physicians.
• ✅ Includes drugs to prevent mother-to-child transmission and infection following a sexual assault or a needle-stick injury.
• ✅ Covers routine blood tests to monitor disease progression, therapy response, and possible treatment side effects.
• ✅ Provides ongoing patient support through a team of skilled and seasoned counselors.
• ✅ Prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and influenza.
• ✅ Finds a registered therapist for face-to-face emotional support.

Bonitas Primary Select Plan Diabetes Management

  This benefit works in the following ways:  

• ✅ Enables you to make the best decisions to maintain your health.
• ✅ Offers cover tests necessary for managing diabetes and other chronic conditions.
• ✅ Provides access to diabetes specialists, dietitians, and podiatrists.
• ✅ Provides access to a Health Coach who will respond to any questions.
• ✅ Offers a tailored care plan to meet your specific requirements.
• ✅ Provides education to improve your understanding of your condition.

Bonitas Primary Select Plan Back and Neck Programme

  This benefit works in the following ways:  

• ✅ Evaluation of back and neck pain to determine the level of care necessary before surgery for the best possible outcome.
• ✅ Provides a customized treatment plan for up to six weeks.
• ✅ Contains care from physicians, physiotherapists, and biokinetics.
• ✅ Provides access to a home care plan for long-term results maintenance and aids in managing severe back and neck pain.
• ✅ Highly efficient and low risk, with a high rate of success.
• ✅ Excluding X-rays, Bonitas will cover the cost of the program.
• ✅ Members can use the DBC network.

Bonitas Primary Select Plan In-Hospital Benefits

  This benefit provides cover for major medical events that result in hospitalization of the beneficiary. In addition, members have access to private hospital coverage.  Authorization in advance is required. A co-payment may be required for admissions and or procedures.   Members should note that Managed Care Protocols will apply to these benefits.     Procedure Co-Payments for Bonitas Primary Plan:

Bonitas Primary Select Plan Exclusions and Waiting Periods

Exclusions

  The following is currently not covered by the Bonitas Primary Select Plan:  

• ✅ Aromatherapy
• ✅ Ayurvedics
• ✅ Herbalists
• ✅ Iridology
• ✅ Reflexology
• ✅ Therapeutic Massage Therapy (Masseurs)
• ✅ Ambulance Services that are not authorized or already included in the contract with the provider
• ✅ Appliances, devices, and procedures not scientifically proven or appropriate
• ✅ Back rests and chair seats
• ✅ Bandages and dressings (except medicated dressings)
• ✅ Beds, mattresses, linen savers, pillows, and overlay

    and many more...  

Waiting Periods

  Depending on pre-existing or existing conditions, the following might apply when you register for medical cover with the Bonitas Primary Select Plan:  

• ✅ A 3-month general waiting period in respect of all benefits.
• ✅ A 12-month exclusion in respect of a pre-existing condition.
• ✅ A late-joiner contribution penalty fee will apply for members joining after the age of 35.

Bonitas Primary Select Plan vs. Other Bonitas Medical Fund Plan Options

   

Our Verdict on the Bonitas Primary Select Plan

💙 Bonitas Primary Select is a comprehensive plan that is like the Primary Plan but differs in terms of the monthly contribution and some benefits. Bonitas Primary Select has certain co-payments that apply.   💙 Therefore, members must ensure that they only use DSPs on this plan.  However, Primary Select offers additional Network GP visits per year to non-nominated providers. Furthermore, members get two GP visits per beneficiary for network PMBs.   💙 Overall, the Bonitas Primary Select plan may be suitable for those looking for a more affordable option with basic coverage for medical expenses.   You might also like to consider the following plans Bonitas has to offer:

• 💙 Bonitas Standard Medical Aid Plan
• 💙 Bonitas Primary Medical Aid Plan
• 💙 Bonitas Hospital Standard Medical Aid Plan
• 💙 Bonitas Standard Select Medical Aid Plan
• 💙 Bonitas BonStart Plus Medical Aid Plan
• 💙 Bonitas BonStart Medical Aid Plan
• 💙 Bonitas BonSave Medical Aid Plan
• 💙 Bonitas BonFit Select Medical Aid Plan
• 💙 Bonitas BonEssential Select Medical Aid Plan
• 💙 Bonitas BonEssential Medical Aid Plan
• 💙 Bonitas BonComprehensive Medical Aid Plan
• 💙 Bonitas BonComplete Medical Aid Plan
• 💙 Bonitas BonClassic Medical Aid Plan
• 💙 Bonitas BonCap Medical Aid Plan

Bonitas Primary Select Plan Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bonitas Primary Select Cover?

The limited day-to-day network plan from Bonitas provides unlimited hospitalization coverage in addition to the prescribed minimum chronic benefits for 27 PMBs and 1 additional cover (28 in total).  In addition, the plan includes basic dental care and prenatal care.  

What are the Primary Select day-to-day Benefits?

Out-of-hospital care like doctor visits, X-rays, and blood tests are all covered by benefits.  In addition, regular benefits include transportation to and from medical facilities for outpatient diagnostics and specialty care visits as outlined in patient medical benefit plans.  

Does Bonitas Primary Select cover braces?

Braces are covered according to DENIS dental protocols, scheme rules, and limits.  

Does Bonitas cover pap smear?

On this plan, women between the ages of 21 and 65 are entitled to one free pap smear every three years.  

How do I pay my Bonitas Medical Fund premiums?

You can pay your Bonitas Medical Fund premiums by debit order, direct deposit, or at selected retailers.  

Does Bonitas pay for home care?

To ensure the longevity of your improvements, you will be provided with a home care plan. The program has a very high success rate and is also very safe.  In addition, the program is fully funded by Bonitas, so there will be no impact on your budget or day-to-day benefits.  

Does Bonitas pay for blood tests?

Bonitas covers pathology, and there is a day-to-day benefit of R2,000 to R3,000 available.  

How do I cancel my Bonitas Medical Fund membership?

You can cancel your Bonitas Medical Fund membership by submitting a written notice to them.  However, you may be required to give a certain amount of notice before your cancellation takes effect.  

Does Bonitas offer a hospital plan?

Bonitas offers Hospital Standard, BonEssential, and BonEssential Select as dedicated hospital plans.  

What benefits are included in the Bonitas Primary Select plan?

The Bonitas Primary Select plan is a low-cost option that offers a limited range of benefits, including unlimited GP visits, basic dentistry, and coverage for chronic conditions.  

Is a hospital plan cheaper than medical aid?

If you want private healthcare but are on a tight budget or already in good health, a hospital plan may be better than full-coverage medical aid.  

Is there a waiting period for Bonitas?

The waiting period is determined by a specific calculation considering the number of years you have not been a medical aid member.  A typical waiting period is three months. During this time, you and your dependents are not entitled to any benefits except for Prescribed Minimum Benefits in certain circumstances.  

Does Bonitas pay for crowns?

Crown benefits are limited to one per tooth every five years. This transaction needs to be pre-approved. There are three crowns covered per year per household. However, this benefit is contingent upon the fulfillment of certain managed care requirements.  

What is covered under PMB?

PMBs are any emergency condition. Furthermore, it includes 271 medical conditions and 26 chronic conditions according to the Diagnosis Treatment Pairs and Chronic Disease List, respectively.