If you are looking for the best medical aid in South Africa, you might be overwhelmed by the number of options available. Medical aid schemes offer different plans that cater to different needs and budgets. To help you make an informed decision, here are some of the best medical aids and companies in South Africa in 2023, based on their reputation, features, premiums and network.
1. Bestmed Medical Scheme
Bestmed is a non-profit, open healthcare scheme that has been providing healthcare for over 52 years. It has over 197 000 members and offers a choice of 13 plan options grouped under the Pace, Beat and Pulse brands. The premiums for a single contributor range from R1,760 to R8,642, with Pace 1 being the most popular option. Bestmed offers extensive preventative care benefits, disease management support programmes and child dependant rates until the age of 24 years or 26 years for registered students.
2. Discovery Health Medical Scheme
Discovery Health is the largest open medical aid scheme in South Africa, with over 2.5 million beneficiaries. It has 23 plans spread across seven schemes: KeyCare, Smart, Core, Saver, Priority, Comprehensive and Executive. The premiums for a single contributor range from R968 to R7,688, with KeyCare being the most affordable option. Discovery Health offers access to an extensive network of healthcare providers, wellness benefits through Vitality and Discovery Miles rewards programme.
3. Medihelp
Medihelp is one of the largest open medical schemes in South Africa, with over 90,000 members and more than a century’s experience in the industry. It has nine plans spread across four schemes: Necesse Network Option, Plus Option, Unify Option and Prime Option. The premiums for a single contributor range from R1,200 to R6,500, with Necesse Network Option being the most economical option. Medihelp offers unlimited in-hospital cover on all plans, comprehensive chronic benefits and maternity benefits.
4. Bonitas
Bonitas is a non-profit medical scheme that has been operating since 1982. It has over 330 000 members and offers a choice of 14 plan options grouped under four categories: Hospital Plans, Primary Care Plans, Savings Plans and Comprehensive Plans. The premiums for a single contributor range from R1,560 to R9,600, with BonEssential being the most budget-friendly option. Bonitas offers access to a wide network of hospitals and doctors, wellness benefits through Bonitas Rewards and disease management programmes.
5. Momentum Medical Aid
Momentum Medical Aid is a part of Momentum Metropolitan Holdings Limited, a financial services group that operates in South Africa and other African countries. It has over 150 000 members and offers a choice of six plan options: Ingwe Option, Custom Option, Incentive Option, Extender Option, Summit Option and Evolve Option. The premiums for a single contributor range from R446 to R6,446, with Ingwe Option being the most cost-effective option. Momentum Medical Aid offers access to a large network of healthcare providers, wellness benefits through Multiply rewards programme and health platform benefits.
6. Fedhealth
Fedhealth is a non-profit medical scheme that has been operating since 1936. It has over 80 000 members and offers a choice of nine plan options: Blue Door Plus Option (BDP), Maxima EntrySaver Option (MES), Maxima EntryZone Option (MEZ), Maxima Saver Option (MSA), Maxima Basis Option (MBO), Maxima Standard Option (MST), Maxima StandardElect Option (MSE), Maxima Plus Option (MPL) and Maxima Exec Option (MEX). The premiums for a single contributor range from R1,120 to R8,640,
with Blue Door Plus Option being the most affordable option. Fedhealth offers unlimited hospital cover on all plans except BDP,
comprehensive chronic benefits on all plans except BDP and MES,
and maternity benefits on all plans except BDP.
7. Keyhealth Medical Scheme
Keyhealth is an open medical scheme that has been operating since 1999. It has over 30 000 members and offers a choice of five plan options: Origin Option (ORI), Equilibrium Option (EQI), Essence Option (ESS), Silver Option (SIL) and Gold Option (GOL). The premiums for a single contributor range from R1,500 to R5,900,
with Origin Option being the most economical option. Keyhealth offers
