5 Best Comprehensive Medical Aid Plans
The 5 Best Comprehensive Medical Aids in South Africa revealed.
We tested them side by side and verified their medical aid plans.
This is a complete guide to the best comprehensive medical aid in South Africa.
In this in-depth guide you’ll learn:
- What is a Medical Aid?
- Why do you need medical aid in South Africa?
- What is considered an affordable comprehensive medical aid?
- What benefits does medical aid provide?
- What is the difference between a hospital plan and a medical aid?
So if you’re ready to go “all in” with the best comprehensive medical aid in South Africa, this guide is for you.
Let’s dive right in…
5 Best Comprehensive Medical Aid Plans (2024)
| 🩺 Medical Aid | ✔️ Offers Comprehensive Medical Aid Options? | ⚕️ Premiums Per Month | 👉 Sign Up |
| 1. Discovery Medical Aid | Yes | From R7,163 | 👉 Apply Now |
| 2. Bonitas Medical Aid | Yes | From R225 | 👉 Apply Now |
| 3. Momentum Medical Aid | Yes | From R225 | 👉 Apply Now |
| 4. BestMed Medical Aid | Yes | From R285 | 👉 Apply Now |
| 5. Fedhealth Medical Aid | Yes | From R267 | 👉 Apply Now |
5 Best Comprehensive Medical Aid Plans Summary
- Discovery Medical Aid – Overall, Best Comprehensive Medical Aid Plan in South Africa
- Bonitas Medical Aid – Second Largest Medical Aid in South Africa
- Momentum Medical Aid – Widest Range of Medical Aid Plans to Choose From
- BestMed Medical Aid – Best Customer Service Medical Aid
- Fedhealth Medical Aid – Best Pay-As-You-Go Private Healthcare
Introduction to Comprehensive Medical Aid Plans in South Africa
A comprehensive medical aid plan provides large coverage benefits for hospitalisation, outpatient visits, preventative care, prescription medicines, and other medical services.
This sort of plan will typically pay for the expenses associated with hospitalisation, doctor visits, surgical procedures, diagnostic testing, and other treatments. Additionally, it often includes coverage for prescription medications, treatments linked to mental health and substance addiction, as well as preventative care, which may include routine check-ups, immunisations, screenings, and counselling sessions.
There is also the likelihood that all-inclusive medical aid plans will eventually include coverage for dental, eye, and hearing care services.
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1. Discovery Medical Aid
Discovery has over 2.5 million beneficiaries and offers over 7 scheme categories and 27 different types of medical aid plans.
You can get Vitality Rewards from Discovery, which can put you in line for discounts on a variety of goods, like gym memberships, movie tickets, and many more. You may also be eligible for additional reward options, such as discovery miles, which can be put towards the purchase of airline tickets for your trips.
There are no monetary caps placed on hospital coverage under any of Discovery Medical Aid’s plans.
On most medical aid plans, you have the freedom to seek treatment at any private hospital of your choosing.
You also have access to advantages in the areas of screening and prevention, which can assist you in testing for the presence of any potentially serious illness.
Once your savings have been drained, Discovery also provides benefits that can be used on a day-to-day basis.
The available comprehensive plans from Discovery Medical Aid are:
Executive Plans
With monthly contributions that start from R10,303 per member, the Executive Plan offers its members the most extensive cover for in-hospital and day-to-day benefits, as well as an extended chronic medicine cover and an unlimited Above Threshold Benefit.
Comprehensive Series of Plans
With monthly contributions that start from R7,163 per member, the Comprehensive series of plans provide comprehensive cover for in-hospital and day-to-day cover to members, as well as extended chronic medicine cover and an unlimited Above Threshold Benefit.
Priority Series of Plans
Monthly contributions for the Priority series of plans start from R4,531 per member. It provides cost-effective in-hospital cover, essential chronic medicine cover and day-to-day benefits with a limited Above Threshold Benefit.
2. Bonitas Medical Aid
Bonitas medical aid claims to be the second largest medical aid in South Africa after Discovery, with 731,500 beneficiaries – 8.3% of the total market share in the country.
Many South Africans choose Bonitas medical aid plans because the company offers a managed care programme, that helps you manage chronic illnesses such as HIV, cancer and mental health problems.
Bonitas Medical Aid offers 13 plans, across 9 different schemes that offer comprehensive cover for 27 to 60 different chronic conditions and they can deliver your medication for free if you choose the option.
If you have 4 or more children, you just have to make monthly contributions for your first 3 children and Bonitas will provide free medical cover for the rest.
Monthly contributions start at R1 009 and go up to R6 438.
The plans that offer the most comprehensive cover are:
BonClassic
BonClassic is a generous savings option that offers a wide range of medical benefits, in and out of hospital.
BonComprehensive
BonComprehensive is a first-class savings plan that offers sufficient savings, an above threshold benefit and extensive hospital cover.
3. Momentum Medical Aid
With a total of 284,400 customers, Momentum Health is the third-largest medical aid provider in South Africa and provides a wide range of coverage plans. You have the option of going to a state hospital, a private hospital, or one that is part of a specific network.
You can choose from one of 33 plans that fall into one of six distinct scheme categories.
When it comes to hospitalisation, there are no yearly limits placed on patients.
Momentum provides its customers with a rewards system and access to several medical coverage benefits that cover anywhere from 26 to 62 different chronic diseases.
Monthly contributions range between R401 and R8 342 per member.
The plans that offer the most comprehensive benefits are:
Extender Plan
With the Extender plan, members can get extensive hospital cover and additional chronic cover from any or associated providers. Day-to-day expenses are covered from a dedicated medical savings account, which is paid by 25% of your monthly contributions, plus you get extended coverage benefits once you reach the threshold amount.
Monthly contributions start from R6 009 per month per member.
Summit Plan
With the Summit Plan a member can get unlimited private hospital cover from any provider. Cover for chronic illnesses are available for an additional 36 conditions, also at any provider. Day-to-day benefits are covered up to an amount of R29 700 per beneficiary per year.
Monthly contributions start from R12 345 per month per member.
4. BestMed Medical Aid
BestMed has been a medical aid provider to South Africans for more than 50 years. The company has about 200 000 beneficiaries.
Many South Africans choose BestMed aid for the following reasons.
- BestMed is self-administrated, which means that more of the money you spend on contributions goes towards benefits instead of towards administrators.
- There are no self-payment gaps.
- BestMed claims to have less co-payments in comparison to other medical aid schemes.
- They promise to also tailor-make corporate solutions, which is a bonus, because they understand that every corporate group has different needs and may want a custom option.
- BestMed provides 11 plans across 3 different schemes to choose from.
Monthly contributions range between R1 335 and R7 330 per member.
The BestMed plans that provide comprehensive cover are:
Pace1 Plan
The Pace1 Plan provides excellent hospital benefits with extensive day-to-day cover. Pace1 is ideal for families who want quality benefits at affordable prices.
You contribute only for a maximum of three children. Any additional children become beneficiaries of the scheme at no additional cost.
Beat4
The Beat4 plan is a comprehensive plan for families with specific healthcare needs and include chronic benefits and savings accounts.
With this plan, a member also only pay for a maximum of three children with additional children benefiting at no additional cost.
Pace2
The Pace2 plan gives comprehensive cover with ample in- and out-of-hospital benefits and the same benefit for children as the above.
Pace3
Pace3 offers comprehensive cover for members that have diverse medical needs. It includes comprehensive chronic benefits and excellent overall hospital cover.
More than three children can join as beneficiaries of the scheme at no additional cost.
Pace4
Pace4 is ideal if you have conditions that incur above-average medical costs or would like the maximum cover available because you get the comfort of extensive benefits and cover for hospital expenses.
In addition, you get an individual medical savings account that offers further payment elasticity. With the exclusivity of the Pace4 plan, you and your family have the best comprehensive cover and complete peace of mind.
You also pay for a maximum of three children with more that become beneficiaries of the Scheme at no additional cost.
5. Fedhealth Medical Aid
Fedhealth has been around since 1936, making it one of the oldest assisting companies.
Fedhealth offers a variety of medical aid options for its members at affordable prices that include cover for hospitalisation, 25 chronic conditions, and added benefits, like specialised medication and day to day cover.
They also have the option for network hospitals and doctor and monthly contributions range between R1 611 and R3 031 per member.
Their best comprehensive plans are:
Maxima Exec
One of the comprehensive options, Maxima Exec, offers fair all-round cover for more mature members, perhaps with older children. Apart from in-hospital, chronic medicine, screening and additional benefits, it also has a day-to-day savings account, and a Threshold benefit.
This option provides the ultimate in medical aid cover for older people with the right kind of benefits, and a wide range of extras, to keep their health in the best shape.
Contributions start from R 8 305 per month per member.
Maxima Plus
The Maxima Plus plan provides extensive medical cover that covers every likely aspect of your healthcare. Beneficiaries get substantial in-hospital cover, chronic medicine, screening and additional benefits, a day-to-day savings account, a Threshold benefit, and an Out-of-Hospital Expenses Benefit (OHEB).
Maxima Plus is the ideal solution for families looking for truly extensive medical aid cover that leaves nothing to chance but gives them a superb range of benefits for every aspect of their health, from generous in-hospital and day-to-day cover, plus screening benefits, chronic medication, and more.
Contributions start from R 13 122 per month per member.
FAQ
What is the difference between hospital plan and comprehensive medical aid?
While a hospital plan will cover treatment and medical costs that emerge while the insured is booked into the hospital, a complete medical aid plan will cover hospital charges as well as other private medical requirements such as consultations with specialists, visits to the primary care physician, and further tests or procedures.
What is the difference between a medical aid and medical insurance?
The main difference between a medical aid and health insurance is that medical insurance covers a specific list of preselected benefits with a set monetary value attached to each. A medical aid scheme on the other hand, charges members a monthly premium for a minimum set of standardised medical aid benefits.
What is the difference between a standard or basic medical aid plan and comprehensive medical aid plan?
Many basic plans only cover treatment and medical costs when a beneficiary is booked into a hospital, with a few added day-to-day benefits, while a comprehensive medical aid plan will cover all hospital costs as well as other private medical needs like specialist consultations, GP visits, and any additional procedures or tests.
What is meant by a comprehensive plan for medical aid?
A comprehensive medical aid plan is an option that will typically include full cover of hospitalisation at private clinics, it will cover of day to day expenses at a range of medical providers and specialists, and also cover chronic medication.
Is a hospital plan cheaper than medical aid?
Yes, a hospital plan is usually cheaper than a medical aid, but the cost will also depend on the option a member chooses. Hospital plans usually don’t have a savings account portion for day-to-day medical expenses, which makes them more affordable but less effective than comprehensive medical aid plans.
What is the best medical aid option in South Africa?
All the medical aids that are available in South Africa have different options, ranging from very basic to comprehensive. Depending on the affordability of the monthly contributions, you should choose the most comprehensive option that you can afford.
Can you get comprehensive medical care with only a hospital plan?
No, you cannot get comprehensive medical care with only a hospital plan. A beneficiary will only be covered for medical costs incurred while the beneficiary is booked into a hospital.
