Family-wide gap cover: a budget lifeline for single-income households
For single parents, a ‘one-family, one-premium’ gap policy turns unpredictable medical shortfalls into a fixed monthly cost, protecting household cashflow.
#healthcarecosts
The future of healthcare financing: why brokers must stay agile
In a landscape defined by rising costs and digital disruption, brokers who embrace technology and tailor gap cover to individual life stages will lead the way.
Contribution increases ease slightly – except for one scheme
Momentum Health is proposing to raise contributions by an average of 9.9% in 2026 – the highest increase among the five largest open schemes.
Discovery delays 2026 contribution increase to April
Leading open medical schemes have announced increases above the CMS’s guidance, underscoring the tension between regulator calls for restraint and schemes’ funding needs.
Medical scheme hikes: CMS calls for restraint, but will schemes listen?
The Council for Medical Schemes recommends capping 2026 contribution increases at 3.3% plus “reasonable utilisation estimates”, yet past trends show schemes often push far higher.
Bestmed marks sixth year of membership growth
Despite economic headwinds and high claims ratios, Bestmed grew net membership by 4.4% in 2024, bolstered by strong solvency and a R164.4m surplus.
Pandemic pricing pains catch up with medical schemes – higher contributions ahead
Three medical schemes fell below the 25% solvency threshold in 2023.
Healthcare costs are rising – but so is the need for cover
Medical inflation and increasing health demands are making healthcare more expensive. Instead of cancelling your medical scheme, here’s how to adjust your plan to stay covered without breaking the bank.
BHF to appeal decision to deny tariff negotiation exemption for medical schemes
It says the Competition Commission’s ruling hampers access to affordable private healthcare and contradicts recommendations from the Health Market Inquiry.
Why financial planners shouldn’t overlook gap cover in clients’ strategies
Gap cover can protect your clients’ retirement savings and long-term goals from unexpected medical expenses.
Rising demand for weight-loss drugs: balancing health, cost, and supply
The demand for GLP-1 medications as a weight-loss solution raises critical questions about accessibility, affordability, and the long-term sustainability of their use for managing obesity and diabetes.
Rising medical inflation: how employers are adapting to soaring healthcare costs
Aon’s 2025 Global Medical Trend Rates Report points to a concerning widening gap between medical inflation and general inflation.
Rising costs prompt members to weigh medical scheme options
Downgrading to a lower plan may appear to be a cost-saving strategy, but it frequently results in increased out-of-pocket expenses.
Bestmed defends 12.75% 2025 contribution hike as industry faces cost pressures
Bestmed states pending rules for low-cost benefit options have further complicated efforts to reduce costs for members.
Why lower CPI won’t mean lower healthcare costs for South Africans
Medical inflation outpaces CPI because of unique pressures such as the rising costs of technology, chronic diseases, and private healthcare pricing.
Medical scheme contribution hikes for 2025: what’s driving the surge?
Contribution increases in 2025 are exceeding CPI, with some medical schemes aiming to rebuild reserves and ensure long-term sustainability.
Bestmed’s 2025 contribution hike is the biggest of top five open schemes
Bestmed says that rand for rand its benefit options will remain competitive despite the proposed average increase of 12.75%.
