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.
#medicalschemes
Consumer Goods Medical Scheme launches new options as it opens to entire sector
The Council for Medical Schemes has approved two savings plans that will be marketed from 1 November.
CMS research points to urgent need for chronic disease and cost-of-care reforms
Two new CMS studies highlight the growing strain of chronic diseases and soaring out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
High Court confirms curatorship of medical scheme
The Court ordered Sizwe Hosmed’s principal officer to personally pay legal costs after dismissing the scheme’s attempt to overturn the provisional curatorship.
Medihelp limits 2026 contribution increases to as low as 6%
New benefits, flexibility, and holistic well-being support strengthen Medihelp’s role as a healthcare partner, not just a funder.
SCA to hear BHF’s appeal on low-cost medical options
The Supreme Court of Appeal will hear arguments on the merits if the appeal is upheld.
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.
Gender-neutral surname ruling shakes up families and institutions
Employers, banks, insurers, and other identity-verifying bodies must accept surname assumptions by any spouse and update onboarding and benefits procedures accordingly.
Decoding medical plans for your clients
The first edition of our new series unpacks the types of medical plan, who they suit, and why the cheapest option isn’t always the smartest choice.
Provisional curator to advise on future of medical scheme
The curator will assess Sizwe Hosmed’s finances and recommend whether it should merge, be liquidated, or continue.
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.
Competition Commission backs Fedhealth–Medshield merger
Fedhealth’s acquisition of Medshield comes after Sanlam named Fedhealth its exclusive open medical scheme partner.
Medical schemes call on Parliament to order RAF to settle claims
The Health Funders Association asks the Standing Committee on Public Accounts to direct the Fund to cease legal action relating to its directives.
Panel upholds findings of racial bias in medical scheme fraud investigations
Statistical analysis found that black healthcare professionals were multiple times more likely than their white peers to be investigated and found guilty of FWA.
BHF and Discovery challenge section 59 report’s conclusions
The Board of Healthcare Funders and Discovery Health say the panel’s final report on FWA investigations rests on flawed methodology and the misinterpretation of data.
Discovery members ‘make the Smart move’, while KeyCare loses ground
The decline in KeyCare Plus membership reflects a reduction in employer subsidies and fewer mandates for medical scheme membership, DHMS says.
