Last reviewed: November 2026. How we work: our editorial standards, corrections policy and how Curemed is paid. General information, not advice. A personalised recommendation follows a written needs analysis under the FAIS Act.
By Martin Janse van Rensburg, Sales Manager and Financial Advisor at Curemed. Reviewed by Roxanne Hurter-Ehlers, Director of People and Governance.
This guide covers eight open medical schemes that anyone in South Africa can join for 2027: Bestmed, Bonitas, Discovery Health Medical Scheme, Fedhealth, KeyHealth, Medihelp, Medshield and Momentum Medical Scheme. Each has published its 2027 contributions. Where a scheme states an average increase, the figures run from 7.35% at Bestmed to 8.7% at Bonitas, against the 3.8% anchor that the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) recommended. The schemes are listed alphabetically and described from their own 2027 documents, as at 3 November 2026. No ranking is implied.
In short: eight open medical aids for 2027
- All eight are open schemes registered with the CMS. The CMS Annual Report 2025/26 counts 16 open schemes and 54 restricted schemes.
- Stated 2027 averages: Bestmed 7.35%, Medihelp 7.5%, Medshield 7.9%, Momentum 7.9%, Discovery 8.2%, KeyHealth 8.5% and Bonitas 8.7%. Fedhealth states 8.9% for 60% of members.
- New for 2027: Discovery Active Core, KeyHealth Core and the Fedhealth sureFED plans, which have a 0% increase for 2027.
- An average increase is not the increase on your option. Check your own option before the option change cut-off of your scheme.
- Curemed is a broker, paid by the schemes through commission capped by law. No scheme pays to appear in this guide.
How were these eight schemes chosen?
The CMS Annual Report 2025/26 lists 16 open schemes. This guide covers the eight open schemes followed in the Curemed medical aid increase 2027 tracker, all of which have published 2027 contributions. The other open schemes are listed in our list of medical aid schemes in South Africa.
How Curemed is paid. Curemed is a medical aid and Gap Cover broker, licensed with the FSCA (FSP 44098) and accredited with the CMS (ORG 163). When you join a scheme through Curemed, the scheme pays us a monthly commission from contributions, at a level capped by Regulation 28 under the Medical Schemes Act. The contribution for an option is the same whether or not you use a broker. Curemed is accredited to place members with seven of the eight schemes below; Medshield is the exception. Read how Curemed is paid for the full disclosure.
What are the 2027 increases and plan ranges at each scheme?
| Scheme | Stated 2027 increase | Plan range for 2027 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bestmed | 7.35% average weighted increase | Beat1 to Beat4 (with network versions and Beat3 Plus), Pace1 to Pace4, and the income-based Rhythm1 and Rhythm2 | Bestmed release; Comparative Guide 2027 |
| Bonitas | 8.7% average across all plans | Hospital, savings, comprehensive and income-based plans, including BonCap and BonPrime | Bonitas release |
| Discovery Health Medical Scheme | 8.2% weighted average; 7.4% to 8.9% by plan | Executive, Comprehensive, Priority, Saver, Core, Smart and KeyCare series, plus Coastal plans and the new Active Core | Discovery 2027 FAQ |
| Fedhealth | No scheme-wide average. sureFED 0%, myFED 8%, flexiFEDSavvy 8.4%; average weighted 8.9% for 60% of members | Five ranges: Traditional, Hospital, Savings, Income-banded and Executive | Fedhealth broker news |
| KeyHealth | 8.5% overall weighted increase | New entry level Core option alongside existing options from Origin to Platinum | KeyHealth 2027 launch |
| Medihelp | 7.5% weighted average; 7% or less for 60% of members | MedVital, MedReach, MedMove!, MedSaver, MedPrime, MedAdd, MedPlus and MedElite, several with Elect versions | Medihelp release; Member guide 2027 |
| Medshield | 7.9% weighted average | Eight options, from MediCurve and MediPhila to PremiumPlus | Medshield release; 2027 contributions |
| Momentum Medical Scheme | 7.9% annual average | Ingwe, Evolve, Custom, Incentive, Extender and Summit | Momentum Health release; 2027 contributions |
What does each scheme offer for 2027?
Bestmed
Bestmed announced an average weighted contribution increase of 7.35% for 2027. Its range is built on three families: Beat, from Beat1 to Beat4 with network versions and a Beat3 Plus option; Pace, from Pace1 to Pace4; and Rhythm, whose two options set contributions by income. Curemed works through every option in the Bestmed increase 2027 analysis.
Bonitas
Bonitas Medical Fund states an average contribution increase of 8.7% across all plans for 2027. For 2027 it expands the Benefit Booster by 140%, to up to R12 000 in additional value for families, and makes it available on the income-based BonCap plan for the first time. It also introduces a GP Confirmation Benefit, which gives eligible members a funded GP consultation within 14 days when a wellness screening identifies a potential health risk, and a Dental Emergency Benefit on selected plans. See the Bonitas increase 2027 analysis for option by option figures.
Discovery Health Medical Scheme
Discovery Health Medical Scheme states a weighted average increase of 8.2% for 2027. By plan, contributions rise by 7.4% on Active Smart, 7.9% on Saver, Core, Smart Saver and Smart, 8.4% on Coastal Saver, and 8.9% on Executive, Comprehensive, Priority, Coastal Core and KeyCare. A new plan, Active Core, joins the Core Series for 2027. Discovery describes it as hospital cover designed for early-career and lower-income families, available for activation from 1 January 2027 subject to CMS approval. Read the Discovery increase 2027 analysis.
Fedhealth
Fedhealth now offers five ranges: Traditional Options, Hospital Plans, Savings Plans, an Income-banded Plan and Executive Plans. The two new Traditional plans, sureFEDEssential and sureFEDPlus, have a 0% increase for 2027. myFED rises by 8% and flexiFEDSavvy by 8.4%, and Fedhealth says 60% of members will see an average weighted increase of 8.9%. It has not published a scheme-wide average. Risk benefit limits rise by 3.9% for 2027. The Fedhealth increase 2027 analysis covers the remaining options.
KeyHealth
KeyHealth states an overall weighted contribution increase of 8.5% for 2027 and launches Core, a new entry level option that combines network-based private hospital cover, chronic care, routine GP consultations and unlimited DigiDoc consultations through the member app, subject to its rules and limits. Its existing options run from Origin to Platinum, and the 2027 contribution schedule gives the rates for each. See the KeyHealth increase 2027 analysis.
Medihelp
Medihelp announced a weighted average contribution increase of 7.5% for 2027, with increases limited to 7% or less for 60% of members. Its 2027 member guide covers MedVital, MedVital Elect, MedReach, MedMove!, MedSaver, MedPrime, MedPrime Elect, MedAdd, MedAdd Elect, MedPlus and MedElite. The Medihelp increase 2027 analysis sets out each plan.
Medshield
Medshield states a weighted average contribution increase of 7.9% for 2027 and says 125 603 lives will see increases of 6% to 7%. Its 2027 contribution table, marked pending CMS approval, prices eight options: PremiumPlus, MediBonus, MediSaver, MediPlus, MediCore, MediValue, MediPhila and MediCurve, with MediPlus and MediValue each offered in Prime and Compact versions. The table defines a child dependant as under 24 for 2027. Read the Medshield increase 2027 analysis.
Momentum Medical Scheme
Momentum Health announced a 7.9% annual average contribution increase for Momentum Medical Scheme in 2027. The 2027 contribution table covers six options: the income-based Ingwe, Evolve, Custom, Incentive, Extender and Summit. On several options your contribution also depends on the hospital and chronic providers you choose. See the Momentum increase 2027 analysis.
How do these increases compare with the CMS guidance?
In Circular 20 of 2026, published on 31 July 2026, the CMS recommended that 2027 contribution increases be anchored at 3.8%, in line with the 2027 inflation forecast of the South African Reserve Bank. Every stated average above is roughly double that figure or more. The circular is guidance rather than a cap: trustees set the final increase and must justify going higher. The medical aid increase 2027 tracker compares all schemes against the anchor.
What about restricted schemes such as Profmed?
Restricted schemes only accept a defined group, such as the employees of one employer or members of one profession. The CMS register lists Profmed, Bankmed, GEMS and Polmed among the restricted schemes. If your employer offers a restricted scheme, compare it with the open schemes above before you decide.
How should you compare these schemes for 2027?
Compare options rather than schemes. Start with the chronic conditions and expected claims in your household, then check the hospital and doctor networks near you, then the total cost for the year including likely co-payments. Each scheme sets its own cut-off for changing options for 2027, and it falls before 1 January. Our guide on how to choose a medical aid in South Africa walks through the steps, and the list of medical aids under R1000 covers entry level options. Specialists can charge more than any scheme pays in hospital, so read about Gap Cover as well.
A Curemed Advisor can compare options across the schemes we are accredited with and give you a written record of advice under the FAIS Act.
Frequently asked questions
Which medical aid is right for a family in 2027?
There is no single answer. A family with young children and few chronic needs may be well served by a network or savings option, while a family with chronic conditions or planned procedures may need richer chronic and day-to-day cover. Compare options on your own expected claims, not on the scheme average increase.
Why is my 2027 increase different from the figure my scheme announced?
The announced figure is usually a weighted average across all members. Your own increase depends on your option, and at some schemes on your network or income band, so it can be higher or lower than the average.
Does it cost more to join a medical aid through Curemed?
No. The contribution for an option is the same whether or not you use a broker. The scheme pays Curemed a commission that is capped by law, and you may ask the scheme to stop paying it at any time.
Can anyone join Profmed?
No. Profmed is registered with the CMS as a restricted scheme, so only people who meet its membership criteria may join. It is not one of the open schemes in this guide.
When does the new Discovery Active Core plan start?
Discovery states that Active Core will be available for activation from 1 January 2027, subject to approval by the Council for Medical Schemes.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not financial advice, and does not supersede the registered Rules of any medical scheme. In the event of any discrepancy, the Rules of the scheme prevail. 2027 benefits and contributions are subject to approval by the Council for Medical Schemes. Curemed is a licensed financial services provider with the FSCA, FSP 44098, and is accredited with the Council for Medical Schemes, ORG 163.
Martin Janse van Rensburg
Sales Manager and Financial Advisor | Curemed Health and Wealth Consultants
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