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.
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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.
Coalition: government’s ‘piecemeal’ healthcare reforms fall short
The Universal Healthcare Access Coalition says the proposed tariff-setting measures for private healthcare side-step essential reforms.
BHF slams CMS report on LCBOs as flawed and politically motivated
The Board of Healthcare Funders questions the timing and content of the CMS’s report, claiming it ignores stakeholder input and the opposition to low-cost benefit options is politically motivated.
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.
Private hospitals push back on NHI legislation
The Hospital Association of South Africa joins other organisations in challenging the NHI Act in court but keeps the door open for dialogue with the government.
Motsoaledi to disclose plans for private healthcare reform
The Department of Health labels a report of a compromise on NHI as ‘ridiculous and unfounded’.
Compensation Fund vs Netcare: High Court judgment exposes deep fault lines
The battle over the alleged dysfunctionality of the Compensation Fund’s CompEasy system raises urgent questions about policy, functionality, and fairness.
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.
Investigation calls into question the narratives used to support NHI
BHF-commissioned study identifies 11 assertions made about private healthcare and medical schemes that lack foundation.
NHI ‘collaboration’ means different things to the government and the private sector
In an interview this week, President Ramaphosa was asked whether South Africans will pay higher taxes to fund NHI.
How can gap cover add value for my clients and how do I help them choose the right policy?
The difference between medical scheme cover and medical insurance – and where gap cover fits in.
