
CMS receives 46 Bonitas complaints, investigates two urgent cases
The regulator says it is monitoring the situation and sees signs of improvement, but some members continue to report difficulties accessing healthcare and resolving claims.

The regulator says it is monitoring the situation and sees signs of improvement, but some members continue to report difficulties accessing healthcare and resolving claims.

The regulator has rejected the scheme’s proposal to reduce its weighted average contribution adjustment to 7.5%, leaving the existing 9.5% increase in place.

A review of five years of Medihelp’s annual reports traces the events behind the scheme’s fall below and its rise back above the statutory minimum.

Twelve months after reporting a solvency ratio of just 20.99%, Medihelp returned above the statutory threshold while almost nine-folding its operating surplus.

The ruling preserves a key anti-fraud tool that industry bodies say protects member funds and helps contain healthcare costs.

Twenty years of industry data show that medical schemes have become increasingly dependent on scale, investment returns, and strong reserves to remain sustainable.

Medscheme says it repeatedly warned Bonitas against a ‘clean-cut’ transition and disputes the scheme’s claim that unresolved legacy issues were behind the service disruptions experienced by members after the administration switch.

The medical scheme says legacy issues contributed to post-transition challenges as members report delays with hospital authorisations and medication approvals.

The scheme says continuity of care remains the priority as it moves administration to Momentum Health and managed care to PHA on 1 June.

The High Court finds the Council must disclose the material it relies on before taking a decision that affects the provider’s ability to operate.

The appointment strengthens Medscheme’s foothold in the employer-based healthcare sector.

The CMS cites statutory constraints, while the Portfolio Committee on Health calls for a clear roadmap to implement the Inquiry’s recommendations.

Circular 10 introduces interim rules to standardise audits, investigations, and clawbacks as broader reforms are developed.

Medscheme’s bid to halt Bonitas’ administration transition has been delayed after procedural lapses and unresolved interlocutory issues forced the matter off the urgent roll.

Bonitas, Medscheme, and PHA trade accusations as court papers, whistleblower claims, and a CMS probe intensify the battle over medical scheme contracts.

The CMS frames the judgment as necessary to protect members, emphasising the scheme is compliant, operational and under close oversight.

The scheme and the regulator say a narrowly focused investigation will not halt the transition – but members should brace for some operational changes.