Best Medical Aids in South Africa

 

The 10 Best Medical Aid Schemes in South Africa revealed and rated. (Updated March 2025)

 

We tested them side by side and verified their medical aid plans.

 

This is a complete list of the best medical aid schemes in South Africa.

 

In this in-depth guide you’ll learn:

 

• ✅ What is the Best Medical Aid Scheme for 2025 ?
• ✅ How do you find affordable medical aid schemes in South Africa ?
• ✅ We compare the GCR rating of each medical aid schemes in South Africa.
• ✅ We compare monthly premiums of top 10 medical aid.
• ✅ We review each scheme Trust Index score
• ✅ How to choose the most affordable medical aid scheme for your family?
• ✅ How do we compare and rate the medical aid scheme benefits?

 

So if you’re ready to go “all in” with the best medical aid schemes in South Africa, this beginners guide is for you.

 

Let’s dive right in…

 

 

Best Medical Aid Schemes

 

🩺 Medical Aid	✔️ Plans Under R2000?	⚕️ HelloPeter Trust	💵 Monthly Premiums for 2025	📈 GCR Rating
🥇 Discovery Health	☑️Yes	2.7 Trust Index	💰Starting From R1 184 – R 11,430	AA+
🥈Bonitas Medical Aid	☑️Yes	4.3 Trust Index	💰Starting From R 1,154 – R 11,321	AA+
🥉 Bestmed Medical Aid	☑️Yes	2.9 Trust Index	💰Starting From R1,615 – R11,662	AA
4. Medihelp Medical Aid	☑️Yes	2.7 Trust Index	💰Starting From R750 – R14,184	AA-
5. Momentum Medical Aid	☑️Yes	3.1 Trust Index	💰Starting From R589 – R14,903	AA
6. Genesis Medical Aid	☑️Yes	4.1 Trust Index	💰Starting From R1,610 – R3,200	AA+
7. Fedhealth	☑️Yes	3.3 Trust Index	💰Starting From R1,055 - R16,937	AA-
8. Medshield Medical Aid	☑️Yes	2.5 Trust Index	💰Starting From R1,701 - R8,784	AA-
9. Sizwe Hosmed Medical Aid	❌ No	3.3 Trust Index	💰Starting From 2,636 – R9,788	BBB+
10. Profmed	☑️Yes	2.7 Trust Index	💰Starting From R1,022 - R13,309	AA

 

 

How to find affordable medical aid

 

As an adult thinking about affordability when it comes to medical aid is  a smart health care move! It’s a big monthly expense, but a necessary one in case of an emergency. Here’s five key factors to consider to finding affordable medical aid in 2025:

 

 

1. Your Healthcare Needs:

• ✅ Age and Health Status: Young and healthy? You might need a more basic plan. If you are older or with chronic conditions? You’ll need more comprehensive cover.
• ✅ Family Structure: Single, couple, or family? This greatly impacts costs. Consider maternity benefits if planning a family.
• ✅ Expected Healthcare Usage: Do you visit the doctor often? Need chronic medication? This influences the level of day-to-day cover you need.

 

2. Types of Medical Aid Plans:

• ☑️ Hospital Plans: These are the most basic and affordable, covering mainly in-hospital costs. Good if you’re young and healthy.
• ☑️ Comprehensive Plans: Offer broader cover for in-hospital cover and day-to-day expenses (doctor visits, medication, etc.). Comprehensive plans are more expensive, but has a more benefits and higher limits on certain benefits.
• ☑️ Savings Plans: Combine hospital cover with a medical savings account for day-to-day expenses. Offer flexibility but require budgeting.

 

3. Cost-Saving Options:

• ✅ Network Options: Choosing plans with network doctors and hospitals can significantly reduce costs.
• ✅ Limit Day-to-Day Cover: If you’re healthy person, choose for lower day-to-day cover and pay out-of-pocket for the occasional visit.
• ✅ Consider Gap Cover: This is a type of insurance that covers differences between what your medical aid pays and what specialists charge, preventing unexpected bills.
• ✅ Use Generic Medication:  A member can choose generic medication at a lower cost as a cost saving techniques.

 

4. Comparing Medical Aid Schemes:

• ☑️ Monthly Premiums: Compare monthly premiums for different medical aid plans. You can use a site like medicalaid.com to compare plans
• ☑️ Benefits: Carefully go through what benefits each plan covers (hospital, day-to-day, chronic conditions, etc.).
• ☑️ Exclusions and Waiting Periods: Be informed about any exclusions or waiting periods before certain benefits apply to you. It is your responsibility that you have the necessary understanding what is covered and what is not covered.
• ☑️ Financial Stability: When choosing a medical aid scheme, make sure the scheme has a enough reserves and has the ability to pay claims. You can use the GCR rating system to ensure that fund has the necessary liquidity.

 

 

5. Tools and Resources:

• ✅ Online Comparison Tools: Websites like medicalaid.com and hippo.co.za allow you to compare quotes from different medical aid and health insurance providers.
• ✅ Medical Aid Websites: Visit the different medical aid scheme websites directly and to explore their plans and benefits.
• ✅ Consult a Broker: A medical aid broker can supply you with valuable advice and guidance on selecting the best plan for your healthcare needs and budget. Just make sure they are FSP registered.

 

 

A final note: Don’t just choose the cheapest option. Take into consideration affordability with your healthcare needs to ensure you have the right health cover when you need it most.

 

 

How to use GCR ratings to compare Medical Aid Schemes

 

GCR is an acronym for Global Credit Rating. It’s an independent agency (an affiliate of Moody’s) that assesses the financial strength and stability of the medical aid schemes in South Africa under a certain scale. It is like a financial health report card for medical aid schemes, giving South Africans an idea of how well the medical aid scheme is managing their finances and their ability to pay your claims.

 

Reasons why GCR ratings are important:

• ☑️ Financial Health Indication: A good GCR rating (like AA) indicates that the medical aid scheme is financially secure, has sufficient funds, and will be equipped to meet its obligations to members.
• ☑️ Claims Paying Ability: It gives members confidence and trust that the scheme will be able to pay the claims when it is presented to them.
• ☑️ Risk Aversion: Helps you assess the associated risk with a related medical aid scheme.
• ☑️ Comparison Measurement: Allows you to compare the financial strength of different medical schemes, making it easier to choose one that’s right for you.

 

 

How GCR Ratings Work:

 

GCR evaluates various factors when assigning a rating, including:

• ✅ Membership foundation:  Measurement in amount of members, age of members, and health profile of members.
• ✅ Financial accountability: Income of the fund, expenses occur, and profitability.
• ✅ Solvency and reserves: How much money the scheme has in reserve to cover claims. Funds available after responsibilities.
• ✅ Claims encounter: How many claims the scheme received and pays out.
• ✅ Management and governance: The quality of the scheme’s leadership and how it’s managed.

 

 

Understanding GCR Ratings:

GCR uses a comparative rating scale that sorts Medical Aid Schemes from AAA (highest) to C (lowest). The ratings are usually go together with an outlook (Stable, Positive, Negative, or Under Review) which indicates the likely direction of the rating in the future.

 

 

Overview of the best medical aid

 

 

👉 Research indicates that 15.7% of the total population in South Africa currently have a Medical Aid policy (2023). Tshwane is home to the largest number of medical aid scheme participants. Why do so many people in South Africa have medical aid?

 

👉 The reason for this is that healthcare can be quite costly, and neither public nor private hospitals are guaranteed to provide the best service.

 

👉 In the absence of medical aid, many private hospitals compel immediate payment. Private hospitals are required by law to stabilise emergency patients without medical insurance and then transfer them to a public hospital. So, if you want the best medical care in South Africa, it is a good idea to obtain a medical aid plan.

 

👉 In this article we name the best medical aids in South Africa after we compared & reviewed them with other medical aid scheme.

 

👉 Nonetheless, the topic of who offers the finest medical aid in South Africa must be raised. Many medical plans and services increase in cost as their beneficiaries age because of the higher expected costs associated with caring for an ageing population – see the best medical aids for 65 and older / pensioners.

 

Important Considerations:

• Access vs. Coverage: Remember that having medical aid doesn’t necessarily guarantee access to quality healthcare. Factors like affordability, network limitations, and waiting periods can still impact an individual’s ability to get the care they need.
• Public Healthcare System: The 85.3% of South Africans  (2023) rely on the public healthcare system, which faces  a lot of challenges in terms of resources and capacity.

 

 

10 Best Medical Aid Summary (2025):

 

1. Discovery Health Medical Aid Scheme– Overall, the largest Medical Aid Scheme in South Africa.
2. Bonitas Medical Aid  Scheme – Top Managed Care Programme.
3. Bestmed Medical Aid  Scheme – Bestmed won the 2024 News24 Medical Scheme of the Year award.
4. Medihelp Medical Aid  Scheme – Over a century of experience in the medical aid field
5. Momentum Medical Aid Scheme – Third-Largest Medical Insurance Provider.
6. Genesis Medical Aid Scheme – No Cap On Hospital Coverage.
7. Fedhealth Medical Aid  Scheme – Best Low-Cost Medical Coverage.
8. Medshield Medical Aid Scheme – Leading Provider of Medical care.
9. Sizwe Hosmed Medical Aid Scheme – Pays 100% of In-Hospital Specialist Bills.
10. Profmed Medical Aid Scheme – Top Medical Aid Scheme for graduates.

 

 

 

 

 

A Summary of each medical aid scheme, reviews from rating agencies and short introduction of each scheme:

 

1. Discovery Health

 

 

Overview

 

👉 The number of people who stand to gain from Discovery is staggering. Discovery currently assists over 2.5 million beneficiaries with their healthcare expenses. You may be curious about the popularity of Discovery Health Plans in South Africa. Here’s what makes Discovery Health so popular:

 

• ➡️ Across seven different scheme categories, Discovery provides twenty-seven distinct medical insurance plan options.
• ➡️ Vitality Points are provided, which may be used for savings on things like gym memberships, movie tickets, and more. Advantages like discovery miles, which can be used for airline tickets, are also available.
• ➡️ Hospitalization costs are fully covered by all Discovery Medical Aid plans.
• ➡️ Most medical aid plans let you visit any private hospital you like.
• ➡️ You can also take advantage of the program’s screening and prevention services, which can help you identify potentially life-threatening conditions.
• ➡️ Once your emergency funds are gone, you can still rely on Discovery for day-to-day support.

 

 

Reviews from different sources

 

🔎 Reviews by	📈 Rating	📰 Amount of reviews
Hello Peter	1.51 ⭐ out of 5 / Trust Index of 2.7	18 519 reviews
Google Play Reviews	3.9 ⭐out of 5	38.2k reviews
GCR Rating	AAA	Exceptionally strong financial strength
News24	Advanced technology	Discovery Health to roll out AI-powered customised wellness
Bestmed Scheme Management review	3.3 ⭐ out of 5	Reviews by employers & management
Medicalaid.com	8.9 ⭐ out of 10	Top 10 medical aid scheme
FEEFO Reviews	4.4 ⭐ out of 5	1 043 reviews

 

 

How Much Are Discovery Medical Aid Monthly Premiums?

 

👉 Monthly premiums start from R1 184 per member for the KeyCare Series with medical cover for both in-hospital and out-of-hospital treatment by providers in a specified network and goes up to R11 430 per member for the Executive Plan with extensive cover for in-hospital and day-to-day benefits, extended chronic medicine cover, and unlimited Above Threshold Benefit.

 

 

What Is the Waiting Period for Discovery Medical Aid’s Benefits?

 

• 👉 Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s general waiting period is 3 consecutive months and the condition-specific waiting period is 12 consecutive months.

 

• 👉 Read more about the waiting periods of Discovery health

 

 

How to Claim for Discovery Medical Aid Benefits

 

👉 You can submit a claim fast and easy in the following ways:

• ➡️ Scan and upload your claims on the website.
• ➡️ Scan and email your claims to [email protected].
• ➡️ Use the Discovery app on your smartphone. If the claim has a QR code, scan the QR code or alternatively take a photo of the claim from within the app.
• ➡️ You can also submit your claims by post.

 

Discovery Medical Aid Contact Details

PO Box 784262,

Sandton,

2146

Phone: 0860 99 88 77

 

✅ Read more about Best Hospital Plans in South Africa

 

 

2. Bonitas Medical Aid

 

Overview

 

👉 After Discovery, Bonitas Medical Support Services holds 15.05% of the South African market. About
727 041 total beneficiaries will benefit from Bonitas. This is why many people in South Africa sign up for medical policies through Bonitas:

 

• ➡️ Bonitas provides a managed care programme to aid with the treatment of long-term conditions like HIV/AIDS, cancer, and mental illness.
• ➡️ The scheme includes 13 plans among 9 distinct schemes.
• ➡️ Free medication delivery is included, and they provide full coverage for between twenty-seven and sixty various chronic diseases.
• ➡️ Medical coverage is provided at no cost if you have four or more children. It means the first three kids are on the house.

 

 

Reviews from different sources

 

🔎 Reviews by	📈 Rating	📰 Amount of reviews
Hello Peter	1.76 ⭐ out of 5 / Trust Index of 4.3	7 296 reviews
Google Play Reviews	3.2 ⭐out of 5	1 280 reviews
GCR Rating	AA+	Very strong financial strength
News24	News24 Awards	Medical Aid Scheme of year for 2023
Bestmed Scheme Management review	3.4 ⭐ out of 5	Reviews by employers & management
Medicalaid.com	8.4 ⭐ out of 10	Top 10 medical aid scheme

 

 

How Much Are Bonitas Medical Aid Monthly Premiums?

 

👉 Bonitas monthly contributions start at R2 509 for a Principal Member, R1 854 for a spouse/adult dependant and R811 per child (max 3) on the BonEssential Hospital Plan in 2025 and go up to R11 321 for a main member, R10 676 for additional adult, and R2 306 for a child for the BonComprehensive plan that offers abundant savings, an above threshold benefit and extensive hospital cover.

 

 

What Is the Waiting Period for Bonitas Medical Aid Benefits?

 

👉 The minimum general waiting period for Bonitas medical aid is three months for all benefits. Some plans, however, have a waiting period of 12 months, especially regarding a pre-existing condition.

 

 

How to Claim Benefits from Bonitas

 

👉 You can send in your claim in the following ways:

• ➡️ Email your claims to [email protected].
• ➡️ Post your claims to Bonitas Claims Department, PO Box 74, Vereeniging, 1930.
• ➡️ Submit your claims in person at one of the walk-in centres.

 

👉 Follow these simple steps to get your claims paid quickly:

• ➡️ Ensure your banking details are correct for refunds by electronic transfer (EFT) into your bank account
• ➡️ Make sure that your account and receipt show your name and initials, membership number, treatment date, the name of the patient as shown on your membership card, amount charged and ICD-10 code.

 

📌 You might like: Best medical aids covering breast reduction

 

 

Bonitas Contact Details

34 Melrose Blvd, Birnam

Johannesburg

2196

Phone for General Queries: 0860002108

Email: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

 

📌 READ more in-depth the different Contact details of different departments Bonitas Medical Aid

 

 

 

3. Bestmed

 

 

Overview

 

👉 Bestmed is one of the largest open medical schemes in South Africa. The estimated total of Bestmed’s members and their dependents is 240,000+.

• ➡️ Provides 13 plans Across 3 scheme categories.
• ➡️ Self-administered, which means that most of your payments go towards benefits and less towards administration;
• ➡️ No self-payment gaps;
• ➡️ Fewer co-payments;

 

 

Reviews from different sources

 

🔎 Reviews by	📈 Rating	📰 Amount of reviews
Hello Peter	1.6 ⭐ out of 5 / Trust index of 2.9	1080 reviews
Google reviews	2.5 ⭐out of 5	192 reviews
GCR Rating	AA	Very strong financial strength
News24	Best Medical Aid Scheme for 2024	Excellent customer satisfaction
Bestmed Scheme Management review	4.1 ⭐ out of 5	Reviews by employers & management
Medicalaid.com	8.2 ⭐ out of 10	Top 10 medical aid scheme

 

 

How Much Are BestMed Medical Aid Monthly Premiums?

 

👉 At the time of writing (Jan 2025), monthly premiums for the cheapest BestMed Beat1 Network Hospital Plan started at R2 111 for a member, with an additional R1 641 for an adult dependant and R889 for a child dependant, to a maximum of 3 child dependants. Additional children join at no additional cost.

 

👉 The most expensive plan at the time was the Pace4 Comprehensive Plan, with monthly contributions of R11,662 per member and R11,662 per adult dependant. For a child dependant the extra contribution was R2,732 up to 3 child dependants with additional children added as beneficiaries of the scheme at no extra cost.

 

 

What Is the Waiting Period for BestMed Medical Aid’s Benefits?

 

👉 There can be a general waiting period of three months or a specific waiting period of 12 months for a certain condition.

 

👉 BestMed Medical Scheme will sometimes only pay a claim if it is a PMB. This can happen if you are in a waiting period or if you are getting treatment for a condition that your plan doesn’t cover.

 

 

How to Claim for Benefits from BestMed Medical Aid

 

👉 If your healthcare provider does not submit claims to BestMed, one must submit the original claim directly to the fund administrators.

 

👉 You can claim by means of the BestMed App, or by scanning and emailing your claim to them.

 

👉 Details that should appear on all claim documents include:

• ➡️ Member’s name and contact details
• ➡️ BestMed membership number
• ➡️ Patient’s details
• ➡️ Service provider’s name, contact details and practice number
• ➡️ Details of treatment, including applicable tariff and ICD-10 codes
• ➡️ Whether payment should be done to the service provider or the member

 

👉 You will receive an email confirmation when your claim is received and indexed.

 

 

BestMed Medical Aid Contact Details

Head Office:

BestMed Medical Scheme, Glenfield Office Park, 361 Oberon Avenue, Faerie Glen, Pretoria

PO Box 2297

Pretoria

Emails: [email protected]; [email protected],

Phone: +27 (0)86 000 2378

 

 

4. MediHelp Medical Aid

 

 

Medihelp is one of South Africa’s five largest medical schemes, covering approximately 97 165 Principal members. The scheme has ten options, with premiums ranging from R750 – R14,184

 

The Following factors make Medihelp one of the best options for South Africans:

 

• ✅ Medihelp offers several flexible plans, allowing members to select a plan that meets their healthcare needs while remaining within budget constraints.
• ✅ Maternity and preventative care Benefits ensure that South African women have comprehensive coverage beyond their immediate medical needs.
• ✅ With approximately 200,000 people covered, Medihelp provides a sense of community and dependability.

 

and Medihelp offer much, MUCH more!

 

 

Reviews from different sources

 

🔎 Reviews by	📈 Rating	📰 Amount of reviews
Hello Peter	1.52 ⭐ out of 5 / Trust index of 2.7	1 331 reviews
Google reviews	2.1 ⭐out of 5	213 reviews
GCR Rating	AA-	Strong financial strength
Ask Afrika Orange Index	1st place for customer satisfaction (2023)	Excellent customer satisfaction
Medihelp Scheme Management review	3.8 ⭐ out of 5	Reviews by employers & management
Medicalaid.com	8.3 ⭐ out of 10	Top 10 medical aid scheme

 

 

 

Medihelp Contributions for 2025

 

🔎 Plan	💴 Contributions (Main)	💵 Contributions (+ Adult)	💶 Contributions (+ Child)	💷 Medical Savings (Up to, per annum)	💴 Day-to-Day Benefit	💵 Overall Annual Limit - Hospitalization	💶 Chronic Conditions
1️⃣ MedMove Student	R750  ZAR	R750  ZAR	R750  ZAR	None	-	Unlimited	26
2️⃣ MedMove	R1638 ZAR	R1638 ZAR	R1638 ZAR	None	Member pays the first R130	Unlimited	26
3️⃣ MedVital Elect	R2,244 ZAR	R1,632 ZAR	R942 ZAR	None	-	Unlimited	26
4️⃣ MedVital	R2,880 ZAR	R2,214 ZAR	R990 ZAR	None	M = R1 500 per year M+ = R2 900 per year	Unlimited	26
➡️ MedAdd Elect	R2,970 ZAR	R2,328 ZAR	R1,032 ZAR	· 5,328 ZAR (Member) · 4,176 ZAR (+1 Adult) · 1,872 ZAR (+1 Child)	-	Unlimited	26
6️⃣ MedAdd	R3,720 ZAR	R3,138 ZAR	R1,260 ZAR	· 6,696 ZAR (Member) · 5,616 ZAR (+1 Adult) · 2,304 ZAR (+1 Child)	M = R2 000 per year M+ = R4 000 per year	Unlimited	26
7️⃣ MedSaver	R3,900 ZAR	R3,204 ZAR	R1,200 ZAR	· 11,664 ZAR (Member) · 9,576 ZAR (+1 Adult) · 3,600 ZAR (+1 Child)	R2,500 per family	Unlimited	26
8️⃣ MedElect	R3,126 ZAR	R2,448 ZAR	R1,014 ZAR	None	M = R6 400 per year M+1 = R9 500 per year M+2 = R11 600 per year M+3 = R12 700 per year	Unlimited	26
9️⃣ MedPrime Elect	R4,344 ZAR	R3,666 ZAR	R1,266 ZAR	· 5,184ZAR (Member) · 4,392 ZAR (+1 Adult) · 1,512 ZAR (+1 Child)	Savings	Unlimited	26
🔟 MedPrime	R5,304 ZAR	R4,482 ZAR	R1,548 ZAR	· 6,336 ZAR (Member) · 5,400 ZAR (+1 Adult) · 1,872 ZAR (+1 Child)	M = R7 200 per year M+ = R13 300 per year	Unlimited	26
➡️ MedElite	R8,172 ZAR	R7,650 ZAR	R2,214 ZAR	· 9,792 ZAR (Member) · 9,216 ZAR (+1 Adult) · 2,664 ZAR (+1 Child)	M = R14 500 per year M+1 = R16 900 per year M+2 = R19 300 per year M+3+ = R21 700 per year	Unlimited	26
➡️ MedPlus	R14,184 ZAR	R14,184 ZAR	R3,540 ZAR	None	R4 500 per beneficiary	Unlimited	26

 

 

 

5. Momentum Medical Aid

 

 

Overview

 

👉 There are a lot of satisfied South Africans thanks to Momentum Health. With 293 000+ members, Momentum Health is the third-largest medical insurance provider in South Africa. The options available in Momentum are many. There are numerous options, including public, private, and network hospitals.

• ➡️ There are 33 plans available in 6 different scheme types to choose from.
• ➡️ When it comes to hospital stays, there are no yearly caps.
• ➡️ Momentum’s rewards programme includes medical scheme benefits.
• ➡️ These range from 26 to 62 different chronic conditions.

 

 

Reviews from different sources

 

🔎 Reviews by	📈 Rating	📰 Amount of reviews
Hello Peter	1.59 ⭐ out of 5 / Trust index of 3.1	2 224 reviews
Google reviews	4.2 ⭐out of 5	7.74k reviews
GCR Rating	AA	Very strong financial strength
SA Good News	Lesedi Awards	Employee volunteering is one of Momentum Group’s Corporate Social Investment’s
Momentum Health work-life balance review	3.9 ⭐ out of 5	Positive reviews
Medicalaid.com	8.3 ⭐ out of 10	Top 10 medical aid scheme

 

 

How Much Are Momentum Health Monthly Premiums?

 

👉 Momentum monthly premiums start at R1 847 for the main member on the Evolve Option and go up to R14 903 for the main member on the Summit Option.

 

 

What Is the Waiting Period for Momentum Health’s Benefits?

 

👉 The general waiting period is 3 months, but since pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition, it is excluded from all benefits for the first 12 months of scheme membership.

 

 

How to Claim for Momentum Health Benefits

 

👉 You can submit a claim in several ways:

• ➡️ Use the Momentum App
• ➡️ Use the web chat facility in the bottom left corner.
• ➡️ Send an email to [email protected] or send normal mail to PO Box 2338, Durban, 4000

 

👉 To make sure your claim is processed quickly and accurately, including the following information:

• ➡️ Membership number.
• ➡️ Principal member’s surname, initials, and first name.
• ➡️ Patient’s surname, initials, and first name.
• ➡️ Date of treatment.
• ➡️ Amount charged.
• ➡️ ICD–10 code (code to indicate what condition you’ve been diagnosed with), tariff code (product-specific code for procedures and claims), and NAPPI code (unique identifier for a given ethical, surgical, or consumable product).
• ➡️ Service provider’s name and practice number.
• ➡️ Proof of payment if you’ve paid the claim out of your own pocket.

 

 

Momentum Health Contact Details

 

201 Umhlanga Ridge Blvd

Cornubia

Blackburn

PO Box 2338

Durban

 

 

6. Genesis Medical Aid

 

 

Review:

Genesis Medical Scheme offers a range of comprehensive and affordable medical aid plans that cater to different healthcare needs and budgets.  The plans cover in-hospital and day-to-day medical expenses, including chronic medication, specialist consultations, and diagnostic tests. In addition, the scheme offers a range of wellness benefits, such as preventative screening, mental health services, and maternity benefits.

 

One of the main advantages of Genesis Medical Scheme is its value for money. The plans are competitively priced and offer extensive benefits, making them a good choice for those looking for comprehensive coverage at an affordable price.

 

The scheme also offers a range of digital tools and services, such as an online portal and mobile app, that make it easy for members to manage their healthcare needs and track their benefits. However, one potential drawback of Genesis Medical Scheme is that some plans may restrict certain benefits, such as limits on specialist consultations or certain medical procedures. Members should carefully review the plan documents to ensure they meet their specific healthcare needs and preferences.

 

Overall, Genesis Medical Scheme offers a comprehensive and affordable healthcare solution for individuals and families in South Africa. The scheme’s commitment to innovation, value for money, and customer support make it a good choice for those seeking high-quality healthcare coverage.

 

👉🏾 You might also like: Genesis Medical Scheme MED-100
👉🏾 You might also like: Genesis Medical Scheme MED-200
👉🏾 You might also like: Genesis Medical Scheme MED-200 Plus

 

 

Genesis Contribution Rates:

🔎 Plan	💴 Contributions (Main)	💵 Contributions (+ Adult)	💶 Contributions (+ Child)
1️⃣ MED-100	R1,610	R1,610	R505
2️⃣ MED-200	R2,255	R2,255	R645
3️⃣ MED-200 Plus	R3,200	R3,200	R645

 

 

7. Fedhealth

 

 

 

Overview

 

👉 It’s hard to believe that Fedhealth has been operating since 1936. Fedhealth members can choose from several different types of low-cost medical coverage.

• ✅ Provide complete hospitalisation coverage
• ✅ In addition, they can visit a doctor or hospital that is part of their network.
• ✅ They address 25 long-term health issues.
• ✅ Optional extras include things like coverage for specialised drugs and “day-to-day” expenses.

 

 

Reviews from different sources

 

🔎 Reviews by	📈 Rating	📰 Amount of reviews
Hello Peter	1.57 ⭐ out of 5 / Trust index of 3.3	3 300 reviews
Google reviews	2.8 ⭐out of 5	562 reviews
GCR Rating	AA-	Very strong financial strength
Businesslive	Sanlam partenering with Fedhealth	More benefits and significant cost savings
Fedhealth Scheme work-life balance review	4.5 ⭐ out of 5	Few reviews
Medicalaid.com	8.1 ⭐ out of 10	Top 10 medical aid scheme

 

 

Fedhealth Medical Aid Contributions for 2025

 

🔎 Plan	💴 Contributions (Main)	💵 Contributions for Adult)	💶 Contributions for Child)	💷 Medical Savings  (Up to)	📊 Annual Threshold Level	⚕️ Chronic Conditions
1️⃣ FlexiFED Savvy	1,055 ZAR 1,476 ZAR as Savings Backup Plan	1,055 ZAR	775 ZAR	Hospital Plan with Day-to-day Savings Back-up Plan: 5,050 ZAR p/a. Savings Plan with Max of 6,310 ZAR p/a with Supercharged Flexible Savings	None	27
2️⃣ MyFED	1,570 – 3,700 ZAR (Household income based)	1,570 – 3,700 ZAR	711 – 1,170 ZAR	None	None	27
3️⃣ FlexiFED 1	R1,953 (Elect) R2,505 (Network Hospitals)	R1,526 (Elect) R1,963 (Network Hospitals)	R711 (Elect) R917 (Network Hospitals)	6,890 ZAR (Main) 12,280 ZAR (Main + 1 Adult) 17,030 ZAR (Main + 1 Adult + 1 Child) 19,550 ZAR (M + 1 Adult + 2 Children)	5,400 ZAR (M) 8,600 ZAR (M+A) 10,500 ZAR (M+A+1C) 12,500 ZAR (M+A+2C)	27
4️⃣ FlexiFED 2	R3,787 (Any Hospital) R3,396 (GRID) R2,835 (Elect)	R3,370 (Any Hospital) R3,027 (GRID) R2,534 (Elect)	R1,118 (Any Hospital) R1,003 (GRID) R842 (Elect)	10,340 ZAR (Main) 19,560 ZAR (Main + 1 Adult) 24,310 ZAR (Main + 1 Adult + 1 Child) 27,360 ZAR (M + 1 Adult + 2 Children)	6,200 ZAR (M) 11,300 ZAR (M+A) 12,800 ZAR (M+A+1C) 16,400 ZAR (M+A+2C)	27
5️⃣ FlexiFED 3	R4,320 (Any Hospital) R3,874 (GRID) R3,236 (Elect)	R3,957 (Any Hospital) R3,553 (GRID) R2,968 (Elect)	R1,531 (Any Hospital) R1,374 (GRID) R1,148 (Elect)	11,810 ZAR (Main) 22,610 ZAR (Main + 1 Adult) 27,360 ZAR (Main + 1 Adult + 1 Child) 31,550 ZAR (M + 1 Adult + 2 Children)	7,900 ZAR (M) 13,700 ZAR (M+A) 15,600 ZAR (M+A+1C) 18,400 ZAR (M+A+2C)	27
6️⃣ FlexiFED 4	R5,782 (Any Hospital) R5,180 (GRID) R4,330 (Elect)	R5,277 (Any Hospital) R4,737 (GRID) R4,035 (Elect)	R1,739 (Any Hospital) R1,561 (GRID) R1,328 (Elect)	15,800 ZAR (Main) 30,210 ZAR (Main + 1 Adult) 34,970 ZAR (Main + 1 Adult + 1 Child) 39,720 ZAR (M + 1 Adult + 2 Children)	21,200 ZAR (M) 36,800 ZAR (M+A) 41,700 ZAR (M+A+1C) 46,600 ZAR (M+A+2C)	27
7️⃣ Maxima EXEC	R10,719	R9,304	R3,312	12,156 ZAR (Main) 22,704 ZAR (Main + 1 Adult) 26,448 ZAR (Main + 1 Adult + 1 Child) 30,192 ZAR (M + 1 Adult + 2 Children)	21,200 ZAR (M) 36,800 ZAR (M+A) 41,700 ZAR (M+A+1C) 46,600 ZAR (M+A+2C)	27
8️⃣ Maxima PLUS	R16,937	R14,619	R5,233	7,500 ZAR (Main) 13,968 ZAR (Main + 1 Adult) 16,284 ZAR (Main + 1 Adult + 1 Child) 18,600 ZAR (M + 1 Adult + 2 Children) Additional: Includes OHEB (Out-of-hospital expense benefit)*	22,700 ZAR (M) 40,400 ZAR (M+A) 46,600 ZAR (M+A+1C) 52,800 ZAR (M+A+2C)	27

 

 

8. Medshield Medical Aid

 

 

Overview

 

👉 Medshield and Oxygen Medical Assistance have joined forces. Over 250 000 people are a part of this scheme. Since its founding in 1968, Medshield has grown to become a leading provider of medical insurance in South Africa. Medshield has an AA- credit rating in the industry.

 

• ➡️ Anyone living with HIV/AIDS can take advantage of a no-cost programme.
• ➡️ They also provide a special oncology programme for those with cancer.
• ➡️ In the event of an emergency, members get free access to their services.
• ➡️ Their costs are low, and they provide a healthcare package available for everyone.

 

 

How Much Are Medshield Medical Aid Monthly Premiums?

 

👉 Medshield medical aid premiums range from R1,701 per month to R8,784 per month, comprising some of the most affordably priced ranges available.

 

 

What Is the Waiting Period for Medshield’s Medical Aid’s Benefits?

 

👉 Medshield Medical Scheme’s general waiting period is 3 consecutive months and the condition-specific waiting period is 12 consecutive months.

👉  New Members may be subject to late-joiner penalties or a waiting period for pre-existing conditions.

 

 

How to Claim for Medshield Medical Aid Benefits

 

• ➡️ Complete the claims form
• ➡️ The completed form, together with any relevant documentation, must be e-mailed to [email protected].
• ➡️ Please note: Dependant ID numbers are only required if you are an active member of the Scheme. No need to complete the dependant section if you are a terminated member.

 

 

Medshield Medical Aid Contact Details

 

✅ Contact number: 086 000 2120 or (+27) 10 597 4701 for members outside the borders of South Africa.

✅ Facsimile: +27 10 597 4706

✅ Email: [email protected]

 

 

9. Sizwe Hosmed Medical Aid

 

 

Overview

 

👉 More than 63 577 members and 152 421 beneficiaries are currently enrolled in Sizwe Hosmed. This health insurance scheme is excellent since it provides comprehensive protection. The customer service is fantastic, and their website is simple to navigate.

 

👉 Sizwe Hosmed is the 8th largest medical scheme in the South Africa and growing quickly.

 

👉 Sizwe Hosmed provide access to effective and integrated managed care.

 

➡️ The Sizwe Hosmed scheme has the following plans to choose from:

 

1. ✅ Sizwe Hosmed Access Core Plan
2. ✅ Sizwe Hosmed Value Platinum Core
3. ✅ Sizwe Hosmed Titanium Executive
4. ✅ Sizwe Hosmed Gold Ascend
5. ✅ Sizwe Hosmed Gold Ascend EDO
6. ✅ Sizwe Hosmed Value Platinum Plan
7. ✅ Sizwe Hosmed Essential Copper
8. ✅ Sizwe Hosmed Access Saver

 

➡️ A pregnancy benefit is available.

 

➡️ They provide comprehensive protection against over 270 PMBs and 26 other chronic diseases.

 

➡️ There is no cap on hospital coverage.

 

➡️ They provide infinite protection for accidents and medical emergencies.

 

➡️ There is also a Sizwe Hosmed Programmes.

 

 

How Much Are Sizwe Hosmed Medical Scheme’s Monthly Premiums?

 

🔎 Plan	💴 Contributions Range (Main)	💵 Contributions Range(+ Adult)	💶 Contributions Range (+ Child)	💷 Medical Savings (Up to) / Out-of-Hospital	💴 Self-Payment Gap	💵 Chronic Conditions
➡️ Essential Copper	R3,023 ZAR	R3,023 ZAR	R 1,046 ZAR	Out-of-Hospital Benefit: Refer to "Essential Copper Guide"	None	27
➡️ Access Saver	R3,371 ZAR	R2,911 ZAR	R676 ZAR	Out-of-Hospital Benefit: Member: R10 080 Adult: R8 736 Child: R1 992	None	27
➡️ Access CORE	R2,636 ZAR	R2,273 ZAR	R530 ZAR	n/a	None	27
➡️ Gold Ascend	R3,726 ZAR	R3,578 ZAR	R1,029 ZAR	n/a	None	27
➡️Gold Ascend EDO	R3,543 ZAR	R3,400 ZAR	R976 ZAR	n/a	None	27
➡️ Value Platinum	R5,583 ZAR	R5,242 ZAR	R1,528 ZAR	Out-of-Hospital Benefit: Member: R15 072 Adult: R14 160 Child: R4 128	Self Payment (Excludes Acute Medication) Member: R2 345 Adult: R1 986 Child: R512	27 + 26
➡️ Value Platinum Core	R5,306 ZAR	R5,082 ZAR	1,353 ZAR	Out-of-Hospital Benefit: Member: R14 328 Adult: R13 728 Child: R3 660	Self Payment (Excludes Acute Medication) Member: R2 345 Adult: R1 986 Child: R512	27 + 26
➡️ Titanium Executive	R9,788 ZAR	R8,661 ZAR	R2,000 ZAR	Out-of-Hospital Benefit: Member: R24 432 Adult: R21 624 Child: R5 004	Self Payment (Excludes Acute Medication) Member: R5 335 Adult: R4 422 Child: R2 023	27 + 35

 

 

What Is the Waiting Period for Sizwe Hosmed Benefits?

 

👉 Depending on the medical aid scheme you join, the average waiting period for Sizwe Hosmed benefits is three months. Pre-existing conditions have a 12-month waiting period.

 

 

How to Claim Benefits from Sizwe Hosmed Medical Scheme

 

👉 Members can submit claims using one of the following:

 

👉 Doctors and healthcare practitioners usually submit claims for their services directly to Sizwe Hosmed on your behalf, but some healthcare practitioners require you to pay their accounts first and then claim a refund from Sizwe Hosmed.

 

👉 To ensure that your claim is valid according to the Medical Schemes Act and Sizwe Hosmed’s Rules, please ensure that the following details appear on the printed account:

• ➡️ Your membership number and correct dependant code (e.g., “01” for the principal member)
• ➡️ The member’s name and surname
• ➡️ The name, surname and date of birth of the patient
• ➡️ Sizwe Hosmed Medical Scheme – not “Private” (this has tax implications)
• ➡️ The healthcare practitioner’s name and practice number
• ➡️ Your proof of payment (attached)
• ➡️ The amount you have paid
• ➡️ The amount charged per item
• ➡️ The relevant codes such as ICD-10, NAPPI and item codes
• ➡️ The date on which the service/procedure was rendered/performed

 

Sizwe Hosmed Medical Scheme Contact Details

 

Email: [email protected]

Contact number: 0860 100 871

 

 

What Is the Waiting Period for KeyHealth’s Medical Aid’s Benefits?

 

👉 There can b e a general waiting period of three months or a specific waiting period of 12 months for a certain condition.

 

👉KeyHealth is a trustworthy and comprehensive medical aid provider. New Members 35 years or older may be subject to late-joiner penalties on KeyHealth Medical Aid Plans

 

 

10. Profmed

 

 

Overview

 

👉 Profmed is a South African medical system restricted to post-secondary educated professionals. There are 10 different plans to choose from, and together they cover almost 67,000 people. A single member’s premium might be anything from R1,022– R13, 309. You can go to any hospital you like, or you can opt for a cheaper plan that requires you to go to hospitals inside a network.

 

• ➡️ ProPinnacle is suited for individuals requiring extensive medical cover. It offers unlimited hospital cover at a hospital of choice, or if selecting the Savvy option, through a hospital network, with in-hospital specialist bills paid at 300%.
• ➡️ Day to day claims are paid from a defined annual benefit limit. Separate benefit for dentistry and maternity.

 

 

How Much Are ProfMed Medical Aid Monthly Premiums?

 

🔎 Plan	💶 Contribution (Main)	💶 Contributions (+Adult)	💶 Contributions (+Child)	💶 CDL Covered
1️⃣ ProSelect Savvy Monthly Income: R0 - R7 000	R1,022	R1,284	R782	27
ProSelect Savvy Monthly Income: R7 001 - R11 000	R1,751	R1,926	R783	27
ProSelect Savvy Monthly Income: R11 001+	R2,348	R2,170	R915	27
2️⃣ ProSelect (Premium)	R2,611	R2,559	R1,079	27
3️⃣ ProActive Plus Savvy Monthly Income: R0 - R11 001+	R 2,957	R2,724	R1,154	27
4️⃣ ProActive Plus	R3,286	R3,028	R1,280	27
5️⃣ ProSecure Savvy Momthly Income: R0 - R11000	R3,803	R3,803	R1,724	40
ProSecure Savvy Monthly Income: R11001+	R5,287	R4,895	R2,065	40
6️⃣ ProSecure	R5,874	R5,439	R2,296	40
7️⃣ ProSecure Plus Savvy Monthly Income: R0 - R11 001+	R6,453	R5,972	R2,516	40
8️⃣ ProSecure Plus	R7,171	R6,633	R2,794	40
9️⃣ ProPinnacle Savvy Monthly Income: R0 - R11 001+	R12,192	R11,310	R3,658	58
🔟 ProPinnacle	R13,309	R12,346	R3,992	58

 

 

What Is the Waiting Period for ProfMed’s Medical Aid’s Benefits?

 

👉 There can be a general waiting period of three months or a specific waiting period of 12 months for a certain condition.

 

 

How to Claim for Benefits from ProfMed Medical Aid

 

• ➡️ When submitting a claim already paid for by you, please remember to submit a valid invoice and receipt or clearly mark the invoice “PAID. PLEASE REIMBURSE MEMBER.” If you submit a receipt without the valid invoice, your claim will not be processed.
• ➡️ Claims not submitted within 4 months from the date of service are considered stale and cannot be paid.
• ➡️ In most cases, claims are submitted electronically by your healthcare provider. In this instance, please check your Claims Advice to ensure that only services that have been rendered to you are being claimed for. If there are discrepancies, please contact the service provider or Profmed Client Services.
• ➡️ Once Profmed have received your claim, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt email from them as well as a Claims Advice once the claim is processed. If you do not receive both or either of these, please query receipt of the claim by calling Client Services on 0860 679 200.

 

 

Profmed Medical Aid Contact Details

Address: 15 Eton Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193

Telephone: 0860 679 200

Email: [email protected]

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best medical aid scheme in South Africa?

☑️ When it comes to health insurance in South Africa, most people choose Discovery Health Medical Scheme. When you sign up for Discovery Health Medical Scheme, you can rest assured that your care will be handled professionally and competently at every turn. There are 25 different health plans available to choose from, so you can find one that works for your budget and health situation.

 

Which medical aid scheme in South Africa is the best value for money?

☑️ Bestmed dominates the market here. It is 3.3 percentage points better than Medihelp and 6 percentage points better than the industry standard. Bestmed is shaking up the industry because of its strong solvency ratio, inexpensive co-payments, and minimal administrative costs.

 

Which is the biggest medical aid in South Africa?

☑️ With over 1.3 million members and 2.7 million beneficiaries, Discovery is by far the largest medical aid provider in South Africa.

 

How much should I spend on medical aid coverage?

☑️ The rule of thumb is that these should not exceed 10% of your monthly income at an individual or household level.

 

What is a network provider and how does it affect my medical aid scheme coverage in South Africa?

☑️ A network provider is a healthcare provider or facility that has a contractual agreement with a particular medical aid scheme to provide medical services to its members at a discounted rate. These providers may include doctors, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and other healthcare professionals.

 

☑️ If you are a member of a medical aid scheme that has a network of providers, you may be required to use these providers in order to receive full coverage for your medical expenses. This means that if you choose to use a healthcare provider or facility outside of the network, you may be required to pay a portion of the costs out of your own pocket.

 

☑️ The use of network providers can help to control healthcare costs for both the medical aid scheme and its members. By negotiating discounted rates with healthcare providers, medical aid schemes are able to provide their members with more affordable healthcare options. However, it is important to note that the use of network providers can also limit your choice of healthcare providers and facilities, and may require you to travel further for medical treatment.

 

📌 READ more about Medical Aid Plans below R1500 per month