Best Medical Aid Schemes That Cover Braces in South Africa (2026)
What is the Best Medical Aids Covering Braces?
The optimal medical assistance for braces is primarily determined by medical necessity, the type of your plan, benefit limitations, age restrictions, and whether the treatment is classified as functional instead of cosmetic.
Best overall for Braces cover. → Discovery Health- Best value for Families → Bonitas Medical Fund
- Best flexible option → Momentum Health
Best overall for Braces cover. →
Do any South African medical aids actually cover braces?
Summary of medical aid schemes that cover braces:
| Scheme | 🦷 Orthodontic Cover | 📌Dental Savings Benefits | 🩺 Network Othodontist | 🏥 Best For |
| 🟩Discovery Health | Yes on selected plans | Yes | Yes | Comprehensive dental cover |
| 🟥 Bonitas Medical Fund | Yes on higher plans | Yes | Yes | Families with children |
| 🟦 Momentum Health | Yes on selected options | Yes | Limited on some plans | Flexible benefit structures |
| 🟨 BestMed | Yes on comprehensive plans. | Yes | Yes | Structured dental benefits |
| 🟧 Fedhealth | Limited orthodontic benefits | Yes | Selected Networks | Younger families |
| 🟩 MediHelp | Orthodontic cover on selected plans | Yes | Yes | Mid-range affordability |
An introduction to medical aid schemes that cover braces in South Africa
Braces can put families under real financial pressure.
Most parents plan for the braces first. Then all the other bills start creeping in — scans, consultations, adjustments, retainers, follow-up visits. Before long, the total cost looks very different from what they expected at the beginning.
A lot of South Africans assume medical aid will pay for most of the treatment. That is not always how it works in practice.
Some schemes only provide limited orthodontic benefits through savings accounts or specialised dentistry limits. Others cover part of the treatment, but members still end up paying sizeable co-payments privately.
The total cost can vary quite a bit.
Metal braces are usually the cheaper option. Once people start looking at clear aligners or lingual braces, the price can jump quite quickly.
Treatment complexity also matters. A shorter uncomplicated case is very different from two years of orthodontic work with ongoing adjustments.
In South Africa, braces can range from around R8,000 to well over R45,000 depending on:
- ✅ the type of braces,
- ✅ treatment duration,
- ✅ and the complexity of the alignment issues.
This is usually where frustration starts for parents.
A medical aid plan may advertise orthodontic benefits quite prominently. But once annual limits, waiting periods, DSP rules, pre-authorisation requirements, and age restrictions are applied, the actual cover can look very different.
Some families only realise halfway through treatment that a large portion of the orthodontist’s bill still needs to be paid out of pocket.
Estimated Monthly Contributions for Plans With Orthodontic Benefits (2026)
| ⚕️Medical Aid Scheme | 📒 Entry-Level Plan | 💰 Contribution (From p/m) | 🪥 Comprehensive Dental-Friendly Plan | 💰 Contribution (From p/m) |
| Discovery Health | Smart Plan | From R3,018 | Executive Plan | From R12,338 |
| Bonitas | BonStart Plus | From R2,040 | BonComprehensive | From R8,900 |
| Momentum Health | Ingwe Option | From R645 – R4,546 | Incentive Option | From R8,200 |
| Bestmed | Beat1 Network | From R2,269 | Pace4 | From R7,800 |
| Fedhealth | flexiFED Savvy | From R1,155 | maxFED | From R9,500 |
| Medihelp | MedMove! | From R1,400 | MedElite | From R8,700 |
Contributions may differ depending on income, dependant numbers, and annual scheme increases.
Does Medical Aid Cover Braces in South Africa?
Yes, some South African medical aid schemes do cover braces and orthodontic treatment. In most cases though, the better orthodontic benefits are usually found on more comprehensive plans, while cheaper hospital plans often provide little or no cover at all.
Orthodontic benefits may include:
- ✅ Metal braces
- ✅ Ceramic braces
- ✅ Orthodontic consultations
- ✅ X-rays and assessments
- ✅ Treatment planning
- ✅ Retainers after treatment
Many schemes require:
- Pre-authorisation
- Clinical motivation
- Use of network orthodontists
- Waiting periods before claims become active
Purely cosmetic orthodontic treatment is often not fully covered.
Average Cost of Braces in South Africa
| Orthodontic Treatment | 💰What Families Usually Pay |
| 🟨 Standard metal braces | R25,000 to R40,000 |
| 🟧 Ceramic braces | Starts from R35,000+ |
| 🟦Clear aligners | Can easily move beyond R45,000 depending on treatment length |
| 🟩 First orthodontic appointment | Normally somewhere between R1,000 and R3,000 |
| 🟥 Retainers | Often an additional few thousand rand after treatment finishes |
The final price can vary quite a lot from one orthodontist to another, especially if the treatment takes longer or the alignment issues are more complicated.
Discovery Health Orthodontic Benefits
Discovery Health offers some of the broadest dental and orthodontic benefits available in South Africa, especially on comprehensive plans.
Depending on the option selected, members may have access to:
- Orthodontic treatment benefits
- Dental specialist consultations
- Day-to-day dental benefits
- Orthodontic authorisation
- Network provider access
Higher-tier Discovery plans generally provide stronger dental and orthodontic benefits than entry-level hospital plans.
Best Discovery Plans for Braces
| 📓 Discovery Plan | 🦷 Orthodontic Benefit Strength |
| 🟦 Smart Comprehensive | Balanced affordability and dental support |
| 🟨 Executive Plan | Extensive orthodontic and dental cover |
| 🟧 Comprehensive Series | Strong day-to-day dental benefits |
Bonitas Braces Cover
Bonitas Medical Fund includes orthodontic and specialised dentistry benefits on selected plans.
Depending on the option selected, members may have access to:
- Orthodontic consultations
- Braces treatment benefits
- Dental savings accounts
- Specialist dentistry cover
Comprehensive Bonitas plans usually provide stronger orthodontic support than entry-level options.
Best Bonitas Plans for Orthodontics
| 📓 BonitasPlan | ➕ Main Advantage |
| 🟦 BonComprehensive | Balanced affordability and dental support |
| 🟨 BonSave | Extensive orthodontic and dental cover |
| 🟧 BonClassic | Orthodontic Benefit Strength |
Momentum Health Orthodontic Cover
Momentum Health offers flexible medical aid plans that may assist with orthodontic treatment depending on the option selected.
Depending on the option selected, members may have access to:
- Specialist dentistry benefits
- Orthodontic consultations
- Dental savings accounts
- Network provider access
Some plans provide more flexibility for members who need regular dental treatment.
Best Momentum Plans for Braces
| 📓 Momentum Plan | ➕ Main Advantage |
| 🟦Incentive Option | Strong day-to-day benefits |
| 🟨 Extender Option | Higher specialist access |
| 🟧 Custom Option | Flexible healthcare structures |
Bestmed Orthodontic Benefits
Bestmed offers dental and orthodontic benefits on selected comprehensive plans.
Depending on the option selected, members may have access to:
- Orthodontic treatment support
- Specialist dental consultations
- Dental savings benefits
- Pre-authorised braces treatment
Orthodontic benefits usually require approval before treatment starts.
Best Bestmed Plans for Braces
| 📓 BestMed Plan | ➕ Main Advantage |
| 🟦Pace4 | Broad specialised dentistry support |
| 🟨 Pace3 | Strong family healthcare benefits |
| 🟧 Beat2 | Mid-range affordability |
Fedhealth Orthodontic Cover
Fedhealth provides dental benefits on several plans, with orthodontic treatment generally available on higher options.
Depending on the option selected, members may have access to:
- Dental savings accounts
- Orthodontic consultations
- Network orthodontist access
- Specialist dentistry benefits
Flexible savings structures can help members manage orthodontic expenses over time.
Best Fedhealth Plans for Braces
| 📓 FedHealth Plan | ➕ Main Advantage |
| 🟦maxFED | Broad specialist benefits |
| 🟨 flexiFED 3 | Flexible savings structure |
| 🟧 flexiFED 3 | Mid-range affordability |
Medihelp Orthodontic Benefits
Some higher-tier Medihelp plans provide orthodontic benefits through specialised dentistry cover. The actual amount paid depends heavily on annual limits and pre-authorisation approval.
Depending on the option selected, members may have access to:
- Orthodontic consultations
- Dental specialist treatment
- Savings-based dental benefits
- Braces treatment support
Comprehensive plans generally provide stronger orthodontic benefits and higher annual dental limits.
Best Medihelp Plans for Braces
| 📓MediHelp Plan | ➕ Main Advantage |
| 🟦 MedElite | Extensive dental and specialist benefits |
| 🟨 MedPrime | Balanced affordability |
| 🟧 Dimension Prime | Mid-range specialist access |
What To Look For in a Medical Aid That Covers Braces
Choosing medical aid for orthodontic treatment involves more than comparing monthly premiums.
Orthodontic Limits
Many schemes place annual or lifetime limits on braces and specialised dentistry benefits.
Waiting Periods
Orthodontic treatment often has waiting periods ranging from 6 to 12 months.
Network Orthodontists
Using network orthodontists can help reduce co-payments and shortfalls.
Day-to-Day Dental Benefits
Some plans pay orthodontic treatment from savings accounts rather than insured benefits.
Pre-Authorisation Requirements
Most schemes require orthodontic assessments and approval before treatment begins.
Hospital Plans vs Comprehensive Medical Aid for Braces
| ⚕️Benefit Type | 🏥 Hospital Plan | 🚑 Comprehensive Plan |
| Orthodontic Cover | Usually excluded | Often included |
| Dental Specialist Benefits | Limited | Stronger cover |
| Savings Benefits | Minimal | Often included |
| Specialist Dentistry | Rare | More comprehensive |
| Co-payments | Higher | Usually lower |
| Network Orthodontists | Limited | More provider access |
Comprehensive plans generally provide stronger support for orthodontic treatment and braces.
Frequently Asked Questions on cover for Braces
Does medical aid cover braces in South Africa?
Yes. Certain medical aid schemes include orthodontic benefits under dental cover. Comprehensive and higher-tier plan options have notably the better cover.
Which medical aid is best for braces?
The below schemes provide strong orthodontic and specialised dentistry benefits on selected plans.
- Discovery Health
- Bonitas
- Momentum Health
- Bestmed
- and Medihelp.
Are braces fully covered by medical aid?
No. Most schemes only cover part of the treatment cost. Co-payments are common.
Do braces have waiting periods on medical aid?
Yes. Many schemes apply waiting periods of 6 to 12 months before orthodontic benefits become available.
Can adults claim for braces on medical aid?
Certain medical aid plans offer orthodontic benefits for adults. The level of cover is usually more restricted than the benefits available for children or medically necessary treatment.
Do hospital plans cover braces?
No, most hospital plans do not cover orthodontic treatment. Expect if it is required as a result to an accident or a medically necessary surgical procedure.
💊 Read more about the top hospital plans in SA
Conclusion on cover for braces
Braces and orthodontic treatment become very expensive once treatment expands over months or even years. For families with children, the costs often go far beyond the braces themselves.
The right medical aid can help. But orthodontic benefits are usually far more limited than many members expect.
Some plans only provide small specialised dentistry limits or access through medical savings accounts. More comprehensive options generally offer better orthodontic benefits, although co-payments, waiting periods, and network rules still apply in many cases.
This is why comparing plans carefully matters.
A lower monthly contribution may look attractive initially. Then the orthodontist account arrives, annual limits are exhausted, and parents suddenly face large out-of-pocket costs anyway.
Before joining a scheme, it helps to compare:
- ✅ orthodontic limits,
- ✅ specialised dentistry benefits,
- ✅ waiting periods,
- ✅ DSP or network restrictions,
- ✅ and the likely co-payments involved.
The cheapest plan is not always the cheapest once long-term dental treatment starts.
For more information on braces:
- Maintaining Oral Health with Braces
- Caring for Braces – How to Brush Your Teeth
- Discovery Health: COVER FOR DENTAL TREATMENT
How We Chose These Schemes
Schemes were evaluated based on 2026 contribution structures, dependant pricing models, hospital network access, and alignment with Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs). Additional weighting was applied to real-world accessibility within Netcare, Mediclinic, and Life Healthcare networks.
Disclaimer
Medical aid benefits, contribution structures, and eligibility criteria are regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes and are updated annually. Verification against the latest official 2026 scheme brochures is required before making any plan selection decision.
