In this guide, we’ve carefully selected and reviewed some of the top medical aid plans that provide excellent benefits for a family of 3.
Whether you’re looking for comprehensive hospital cover or improved maternity and child benefits, this guide will help you make an informed decision.
You will learn:
- ☑️Why medical aid is essential for families
- ☑️Best medical aid for a family of 3
- ☑️Frequently asked questions
We understand the unique needs of families and the importance of finding a plan that balances comprehensive cover with affordability.
So, let’s reveal the 5 best medical aids for a family of 3.
Best Medical Aid for a Family with three members – A Comparison 2025
| 🔍Medical Aid | 🏥 Hospital Cover | 💊 Day-to-Day | ✅ Preventive Care | 👶 Maternity & Child | 🩺 Chronic Illness |
| 🧑👩👧Discovery Health Classic Saver Plan | 🏥👍 | 💊👍 | ✅ | 👶👍 | 🩺👍 |
| 🧑👩👧Momentum Health Custom Option with HealthSaver | 🏥👍 | 💊👍 | ✅ | 👶👍 | 🩺👍 |
| 🧑👩👧Bonitas BonEssential Select | 🏥👍 | 💊👍 | ✅ | 👶👍 | 🩺👍 |
| 🧑👩👧Fedhealth flexiFED 3 Plan | 🏥👍 | 💊👍 | ✅ | 👶👍 | 🩺👍 |
| 🧑👩👧Medihelp MedPrime | 🏥👍 | 💊👍 | ✅ | 👶👍 | 🩺👍 |
You might also consider:
- 👉🏾 Best Medical Aids for 2 Adults
- 👉🏾 Best Medical Aid for Family of 4
- 👉🏾 Best Medical Aid for Family of 5
Why medical aid is essential for families?
💙 Medical aid is a critical safety net for families, providing access to quality healthcare when it’s needed most. Raising a family comes with a wide range of healthcare needs, from routine check-ups and vaccinations to unforeseen emergencies or chronic conditions.
💙 Without adequate medical aid, the cost of healthcare can become a heavy financial burden, especially when unexpected medical events arise.
💙 For families, medical aid provides peace of mind by offering comprehensive cover for hospital visits, specialist consultations, and necessary treatments. Children, in particular, benefit from early healthcare interventions like vaccinations, dental care, and pediatrician visits, leading to their healthy development.
Get the Best Medical Aid Quotes from Hippo Advisory Services
💙 Maternity benefits are also vital for new and expecting parents, covering prenatal care and delivery costs, which can otherwise be overwhelming.
Medical aid also means that chronic conditions are managed effectively, giving family members access to necessary medications and treatments without the fear of exorbitant expenses. By choosing a medical aid plan that suits your family’s needs, you can protect your loved ones and see that they receive the best possible care when it matters most.
Best medical aid for a family of 3
Below are our top picks for the best medical aid plans for a family of 3 from leading medical aid schemes in South Africa.
Discovery Health Classic Saver Plan
The Classic Saver Plan from Discovery Health offers comprehensive coverage for families, making it a great fit for a family of three. Here’s a breakdown of its benefits:
This chart visually represents the relative importance of each aspect of the plan. Hospital Cover takes the largest share, followed by equal portions for Day-to-Day Medical Expenses, Preventive Care, and Maternity and Child Benefits. Chronic Care and Medicine has a slightly smaller portion.
Hospital Cover
💙 The Classic Saver Plan provides unlimited hospital cover at any private hospital approved by the scheme. Specialists and healthcare professionals are covered at up to 200% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR). This means that the family has access to top-tier hospitals and medical professionals without worrying about high out-of-pocket costs.
Day-to-Day Medical Expenses
💙 The plan includes a Medical Savings Account (MSA), where 20% of your monthly contribution goes toward covering everyday healthcare costs like GP visits, medication, radiology, and pathology. This feature empowers families to manage routine healthcare expenses while also offering coverage for unexpected medical events.
Preventive Care
💙 Discovery offers comprehensive screening and prevention benefits, including access to blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose testing. Families can also benefit from child growth and development assessments. This proactive approach to healthcare ensures that early health issues are detected and addressed.
Maternity and Child Benefits
💙 The plan covers up to eight antenatal consultations, ultrasounds, and screenings during pregnancy, making it a suitable option for growing families. Postnatal care, including paediatric consultations and vaccinations for babies under two years, is also included, offering comprehensive care for both mother and child.
Chronic Illness Benefits
💙 The plan covers a list of chronic diseases under the Chronic Disease List (CDL), ensuring that family members with long-term health conditions have access to necessary medications and treatments without overwhelming expenses.
👉 What is the monthly premium for the Discovery Health medical aid plans?
- ☑️ From R1,102 to R10,303 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?
☑️ When enrolling in or upgrading to a more comprehensive plan, members of Discovery Health Medical Aid may have varied waiting times.
☑️ 90 Day General Waiting Period
Unless the plan specifically authorizes an emergency hospital stay, all new members are not entitled for benefits during this time.
☑️ 12-month Pre-existing Conditions Waiting Period
This includes condition(s) that have been present for some time. Patients suffering from these conditions will not be able to submit treatment claims during this time.
☑️ 12-month Maternity Benefits
This waiting time is applicable to all benefits related to pregnancy and childbirth and must be adhered to by all newly registered members.
👉 How to Claim for Discovery Health Medical Aid Benefits
☑️ Verify that the doctor or hospital is part of the Discovery Health network to get full coverage and keep out-of-pocket costs to a minimum.
☑️ Get a copy of your healthcare provider’s comprehensive bill.
☑️ You can submit your claim through the web interface or by sending an email.
☑️ You may check on the progress of your claim in the “Claims” area of the Discovery Health app and website. If more information is required or if your claim has been received and processed, you will receive updates on its status here.
☑️ Payment processing will be carried out for Discovery Health upon claim approval. Depending on your plan, you can choose to either pay the healthcare provider out of pocket or get your money back.
Discovery Health Medical Aid Contact Details
1 Discovery Pl
Sandhurst
Sandton
2196
👉🏾 Read more about Discovery Health Authorisation Process
Bonitas BonEssential Select
The BonEssential Select plan offers affordable, network-based hospital cover with essential benefits for families, particularly those who want to manage chronic conditions and maternity needs efficiently. With its emphasis on hospital care, maternity, and child wellness, it is a practical choice for a family of three.
This chart visually represents the relative importance of each aspect of the plan. Hospital Cover takes the largest share, followed by Maternity and Child Benefits, and Chronic Care and Medicine. Day-to-Day Medical Expenses has the smallest portion.
Hospital Cover
💙 The BonEssential Select plan provides cover for major medical events with access to a list of specific private hospitals. Families can avoid a 30% co-payment by using these network hospitals.
💙 Unlimited specialist consultations and GP visits are covered at 100% of the Bonitas Rate when using network providers, ensuring that the family has full access to essential healthcare services during hospital stays.
💙 Unlimited cover is provided for X-rays, ultrasounds, blood tests, and other lab tests at 100% of the Bonitas Rate, ensuring comprehensive diagnostic support for any medical emergencies.
Day-to-Day Medical Expenses
💙 Although the BonEssential Select plan does not include a medical savings account, it offers emergency room benefits with two emergency consultations per family, which are useful for unexpected medical incidents. The Benefit Booster allows families to access up to R1,100 extra benefits to pay for out-of-hospital expenses such as GP visits and over-the-counter medication, activated by completing an online wellness questionnaire or wellness screening.
Maternity and Child Benefits
💙 The plan is ideal for growing families, offering coverage for six antenatal consultations, two 2D ultrasound scans, one amniocentesis, and four consultations with a midwife post-delivery, one of which can be used for a consultation with a lactation specialist. The Maternity Programme also provides access to a dedicated maternity nurse and educational resources to support the family throughout the pregnancy.
Chronic Illness Benefits
💙 The BonEssential Select plan covers 28 chronic conditions, including asthma, diabetes, and hypertension, under the Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMB). Families must use Pharmacy Direct, the Designated Service Provider, for their chronic medication to avoid co-payments.
👉 What is the monthly premium for the Bonitas medical aid plans?
☑️ From R1,430 to R8,854 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?
☑️ The following are the various waiting periods for the Bonitas Medical Aid Scheme:
☑️ 1. General waiting period
30 days
During this period, you can only claim Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs). This is for people who have never had medical aid before.
☑️ 2. Condition-specific waiting period
12 months
Making claims on these conditions withing the first year of membership is not possible. If a person switch plans and their previous coverage expired or similar issues went unaddressed, this is vital information to have.
☑️ 3. Late joiner penalties
A person’s age and the amount of time they’ve gone without medical aid after turning 35 determine the range for this.
A percentage increase to the member’s monthly payments is used to establish the penalty.
How to Claim for Bonitas Medical Aid Benefits
☑️ Make sure you get a detailed invoice from your healthcare provider.
The bill ought to contain:
✔️ The practice number of the healthcare provider’s ICD-10 diagnosis code.
✔️ An explanation in detail of the services provided, including dates.
✔️ Total amount owed.
☑️ You can download a claim form from the Bonitas website or pick one up in person at a Bonitas office.
☑️ Make sure that all necessary information, such as your membership number and personal information, is provided accurately and consistently.
☑️ Send in your claim.
You can use the Bonitas member site or contact Bonitas customer service to keep track of the status of your claim.
If the claim is approved, Bonitas will take care of processing the money. Depending on the terms of the agreement, you may be repaid or paid directly to the healthcare provider.
Bonitas Medical Aid Contact Details
34 Melrose Blvd
Birnam
Johannesburg
2196
Fedhealth flexiFED 3
The FlexiFed 3 plan offers a balanced mix of hospital cover, day-to-day benefits, and specialised care for both adults and children. Its flexible savings plan and extensive maternity and childhood benefits make it an excellent option for families looking for comprehensive medical coverage at an affordable rate.
Hospital Cover
💙 The FlexiFed 3 plan provides unlimited cover for accident and emergency treatment at any private hospital. For planned procedures, members can opt for network hospitals or pay a co-payment to use non-network hospitals, offering flexibility based on family preferences.
Day-to-Day Medical Expenses
💙 Families can opt for the flexible savings option to pay for day-to-day medical expenses. This means that they only pay for what they use, interest-free over 12 months, giving them more control over their medical costs.
Maternity and Child Benefits
💙 The FlexiFed 3 plan offers comprehensive maternity cover, including natural deliveries, C-sections, epidurals, and rental of water baths. Pregnant mothers are also entitled to two 2D antenatal scans and up to 12 ante- or postnatal consultations with a midwife, network GP, or gynaecologist. Additional benefits include the use of a doula and postnatal midwifery support.
Chronic Illness Benefits
💙 The plan provides unlimited cover for 27 chronic conditions, including asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and epilepsy, under the Chronic Disease List (CDL). This ensures that family members with chronic conditions are adequately supported, with medications and treatments fully covered.
Optical and Dental Benefits
💙 FlexiFed 3 includes optical benefits of up to R1,930 per beneficiary every 24 months, covering eye exams, lenses, and frames, ensuring that family members can maintain good vision health.
👉 What is the monthly premium for the Fedhealth medical aid plans?
☑️ Fedhealth offers a variety of medical aid plans with monthly prices starting at R965 and going up to R14883.
👉 What Is the Waiting Period for the Fedhealth medical aid plan benefits?
☑️ The following are some of the waiting periods that new members of Fedhealth medical aid plans may encounter:
✔️ General Waiting Period: All claims, with the exception of those pertaining to Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs), are ineligible for processing during the regular three-month waiting period. During this time, members are required to keep paying their monthly dues.
✔️ Waiting Time Based on Condition: Any pre-existing conditions are subject to this extra waiting period, which might run up to 12 months. Medical assistance will not pay for certain illnesses’ treatments during this time.
👉 How to Claim for Fedhealth Medical Aid Benefits
In order to file a claim with the Fedhealth medical aid scheme, you can follow these steps these steps:
☑️ Access the Fedhealth Family Room by logging in.
☑️ Choose “Submit Claim” from the “Quick Action” menu that appears.
☑️ Submit your claim information and any supporting papers by bringing them up on your smartphone.
☑️ Press the “Submit Claim” button.
The WhatsApp service is another option:
☑️ Add 060 070 2479 to your contact list.
☑️ Follow the on-screen instructions after typing “hello” to begin the chat.
In addition, the Fedhealth Member App is available via:
☑️ You can get the app from the respective app stores of Google Play, Apple, or Huawei.
☑️ You can check the progress of your claims when you register.
☑️ Use the app to submit claims immediately.
☑️ You can also send claims to [email protected], (011) 671 3842 by fax, or Private Bag X3045, Randburg, 2125 by regular mail.
Fedhealth Medical Aid Contact Details
14 Mispel Road
Bellville
7530
Momentum Health Custom Option with HealthSaver
The Custom Option from Momentum Health, combined with the HealthSaver product, provides comprehensive hospital cover and flexible day-to-day healthcare management, making it an ideal choice for a family of three.
Hospital Cover
💙 The Custom Option provides hospital cover with no overall annual limit. Families can choose any private hospital or select the Associated Hospital network to receive discounts on contributions. This flexibility allows families to either lower costs or choose their preferred healthcare provider.
Chronic and Day-to-Day Medical Benefits
💙 The Custom Option provides coverage for 26 chronic conditions, including asthma, diabetes, and hypertension, which are commonly managed in family healthcare. Families can choose from three options: any provider, the Associated network, or State facilities, allowing them to customize their coverage and reduce costs if they opt for State facilities.
HealthSaver Complementary Product
💙 The HealthSaver product is a complementary offering that allows families to save for day-to-day medical expenses not covered by the plan, such as GP visits, dental care, and prescribed medicine. This feature gives families flexibility and control over their healthcare spending, allowing them to plan for routine medical costs.
Maternity and Child Benefits
💙 The Custom Option offers a comprehensive maternity programme, covering up to 12 antenatal visits with a midwife, GP, or gynaecologist, and two pregnancy scans, including 3D or 4D scans (covered up to the cost of a 2D scan).
👉 What is the monthly premium for the Momentum medical aid plans?
Momentum Health offers medical aid plans with monthly rates ranging from R541 to R13,573 for principal members.
What Is the waiting period?
☑️ General Waiting Period: This period lasts for three months.
☑️ All benefits are subject to this waiting period, with the exception of PMBs. Members cannot file claims for medical services during this time unless there is an urgent medical emergency.
☑️ Waiting period according to condition: one year
☑️ During their first year of membership, members are not permitted to submit claims for treatment relating to certain conditions. This protects the scheme from unforeseen, costly claims and ensures its viability.
☑️ Penalties for late joiners
✔️ The duration of a member’s coverage is determined by their age upon enlistment and the number of years they spend without medical aid after turning 35.
✔️ The higher risk of enrolling later in life without having continuous coverage earlier results in a penalty increase in the member’s monthly contribution.
👉 How to Claim for Momentum Health Medical Aid Benefits
☑️ Ask your physician for a comprehensive bill. This should contain:
✔️ The phone number of the doctor’s office
✔️ The ICD-10 code for the condition
✔️ Detailed explanation of the services provided
✔️ Amount due
You can pick up the claim form online or at any Momentum Health office.
Please make sure that all fields—including the membership number and your personal data—are correctly filled out.
✔️ Submit your claim
To find out the status of your claim, go to the Momentum Health member portal or the “Claims” area of the Momentum app. Find out whether any more information is required, whether your claim has been received and processed, or how the process is going to be.
Momentum Health will oversee the payment procedure if the claim is approved. Depending on the details of the agreement, you might get reimbursed back or the money might go directly to the doctor.
Momentum Health Medical Aid Contact Details
19 West St
Houghton Estate
Johannesburg
2198
Medihelp MedPrime
The combination of comprehensive hospital cover, extensive day-to-day benefits, and additional maternity and preventive care makes the MedPrime plan a suitable and well-rounded option for a family of three.
Hospital Cover and Major Medical Events
💙 The MedPrime plan offers comprehensive hospital coverage with no overall annual limit. This means that a family of three can be assured of extensive cover for hospital admissions without worrying about caps on the amount of medical costs covered. Major medical events such as cancer treatments, prostheses, and chronic conditions are also covered under this plan.
Day-to-Day Benefits and Medical Savings
💙 For a family of three, the MedPrime plan includes a 10% savings account per year. The funds in this account can be used for daily medical expenses such as GP and specialist visits, medicines, and physiotherapy. The day-to-day insured benefits become available after the depletion of the savings account. This allows a family to manage routine medical needs with ease.
Chronic Illness and Preventive Care
💙 Families on the MedPrime plan have access to the chronic illness benefit, which covers the diagnosis, treatment, and care costs for 271 Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) conditions and 26 chronic conditions listed under the Chronic Disease List (CDL).
Maternity and Child Benefits
💙 For families planning or expecting a new child, the MedPrime plan provides maternity benefits. These include antenatal consultations, postnatal care, ultrasound scans, and essential supplements like iron and folic acid for nine months.
👉 What is the monthly premium for the Medihelp medical aid plans?
☑️ Depending on the plan you select, the Medihelp plans begin at R2 022 for the principal member.
👉 What Is the Waiting Period for the Medihelp medical aid plan benefits?
☑️ General Waiting Period: New members are subject to a three-month general waiting time. Prescribed minimum benefits are the only benefits paid during this time (PMBs).
☑️ Condition-Related Waiting Time: Any pre-existing conditions are subject to a 12-month condition-specific waiting period. Benefits are not paid for the listed conditions during this time.
☑️ Waiting Period for Late Joiners: Depending on their age and past medical aid coverage history, late joiners may be subject to additional waiting periods.
☑️ Waiting Period for Maternity Benefits: Depending on the plan and previous medical aid history, there may be a waiting period of several months for treatments linked to pregnancy and childbirth.
👉 How to Claim for Medihelp Medical Aid Benefits
☑️ Request all necessary documents from the healthcare provider, including medical records, bills, and receipts.
☑️ Make sure the documents include your membership number, information about the patient, hospital, and doctor, as well as diagnostic and procedure codes.
☑️ Submit the claim through the Medihelp website, the Medihelp Member App, or by email at [email protected].
☑️ Track the status of your claim with the Medihelp Member App or by calling customer care at 086 0100 678.
☑️ Contact Medihelp customer care if you require any additional information or clarification.
☑️ Check your bank account for reimbursement of approved claims, or examine the statement of account for any deductions or co-payments.
Medihelp Medical Aid Contact Details
189 Clark St
Brooklyn
Pretoria
0181
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between hospital cover and day-to-day benefits?
Hospital cover provides for medical expenses incurred during hospital stays, such as surgery, specialist consultations, and treatment for major medical events. Day-to-day benefits, on the other hand, cover routine medical expenses like GP visits, medication, and dental care.
How does a medical savings account work?
A medical savings account (MSA) is a portion of your monthly contribution set aside for day-to-day medical expenses. It allows you to manage out-of-pocket costs for services like doctor visits or medication. Any unused funds in the savings account can be carried over to the following year.
What are Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMB)?
PMBs are a set of defined medical conditions that medical aid schemes are required to cover, regardless of the plan you are on. These include chronic diseases, certain cancers, and emergencies. Coverage typically includes diagnosis, treatment, and care, following the scheme’s treatment guidelines.
Are maternity benefits included in most medical aid plans?
Yes, many medical aid plans offer maternity benefits, which may include antenatal visits, ultrasound scans, postnatal care, and supplements. It is important to check the specific benefits provided by your plan, as they can vary in terms of coverage.
Do medical aid plans cover chronic illnesses?
Most plans provide cover for a list of chronic illnesses, known as the Chronic Disease List (CDL). This list includes conditions like asthma, diabetes, and hypertension. Depending on the plan, treatment, medication, and care for these conditions are covered, but it’s important to ensure that the plan aligns with your healthcare needs.
