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.
Bestmed is an open medical scheme regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes, and it administers itself rather than using a separate administrator. For the 2027 benefit year it offers 14 benefit options in three ranges: the Beat range of hospital and savings options, the Pace range of comprehensive options, and the income-based Rhythm range. This review sets out every 2027 option, what it costs and who it suits, using the official Bestmed 2027 Comparative Guide.
In short: Bestmed plans for 2027
- Bestmed offers 14 options for 2027: eight in the Beat range, four in the Pace range and two income-based Rhythm options.
- Bestmed announced an average weighted contribution increase of 7.35% for 2027, after 6.8% for 2026. Principal member increases run from 6.5% to 8.5% on every option except Rhythm2.
- 2027 principal member contributions run from R1,866 a month on Rhythm1 (income up to R9,000) to R13,641 a month on Pace4.
- Beat1, Beat2 and Beat3 each have a Network version that costs about 10% less, in exchange for using a Beat network hospital.
- A new Best Bucks benefit of R1,000 per family applies on qualifying options once every adult completes a free Tempo Lifestyle Screening.
Which Bestmed options are available in 2027?
The three ranges are built for different needs and budgets. The Beat range (Beat1, Beat2, Beat3, Beat3 Plus and Beat4) pays in-hospital benefits from Scheme risk and adds a personal medical savings account from Beat2 upwards. Beat1, Beat2 and Beat3 each come in a standard version, which gives access to any hospital, and a Network version with a list of designated hospitals.
The Pace range (Pace1 to Pace4) is the comprehensive range. Each Pace option combines hospital cover with a savings account and an additional day-to-day benefit for out-of-hospital costs. The Rhythm range (Rhythm1 and Rhythm2) prices contributions by household income and requires members to use designated service providers in the Rhythm network.
Across all three ranges, children under the age of 24 pay the child dependant rate. On every option except Rhythm1 a family pays for a maximum of three children, and further children join at no extra contribution.
What does each Bestmed option cost in 2027?
The table shows the total monthly contribution for a principal member, including the savings portion, with 2026 alongside. Dependant rates are in the Comparative Guide.
| Option | Range | Savings account share | 2026 principal | 2027 principal | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beat1 Network | Beat | None | R2,269 | R2,439 | 7.5% |
| Beat1 | Beat | None | R2,523 | R2,712 | 7.5% |
| Beat2 Network | Beat | 16% | R2,775 | R2,983 | 7.5% |
| Beat2 | Beat | 16% | R3,084 | R3,315 | 7.5% |
| Beat3 Network | Beat | 15% | R4,062 | R4,367 | 7.5% |
| Beat3 | Beat | 15% | R4,514 | R4,853 | 7.5% |
| Beat3 Plus | Beat | 25% | R5,042 | R5,370 | 6.5% |
| Beat4 | Beat | 14% | R7,365 | R7,991 | 8.5% |
| Pace1 | Pace | 19% | R5,934 | R6,349 | 7.0% |
| Pace2 | Pace | 14% | R8,766 | R9,511 | 8.5% |
| Pace3 | Pace | 14% | R10,064 | R10,919 | 8.5% |
| Pace4 | Pace | 3% | R12,572 | R13,641 | 8.5% |
The Rhythm options are priced by monthly income band. For 2027 Bestmed has reduced Rhythm2 from three income bands to two, which is why members in the former lower bands face a larger increase than the scheme average.
| Option and income band | 2026 principal | 2027 principal | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhythm1, R0 to R9,000 | R1,736 | R1,866 | 7.5% |
| Rhythm1, R9,001 to R14,000 | R2,024 | R2,176 | 7.5% |
| Rhythm1, above R14,000 | R3,615 | R3,886 | 7.5% |
| Rhythm2, R0 to R5,500 | R2,747 | R3,214 | 17.0% |
| Rhythm2, 2026 band R5,501 to R8,500 (2027 band above R5,500) | R3,300 | R3,762 | 14.0% |
| Rhythm2, 2026 band above R8,500 (2027 band above R5,500) | R3,516 | R3,762 | 7.0% |
The 7.35% average is weighted across the whole membership, so it is not the increase on any single option. Our Bestmed 2027 increase analysis works through dependant rates and family totals option by option.
How do the Beat options work, and who do they suit?
Every Beat option pays hospital accommodation, theatre and surgical procedures at 100% of the Scheme tariff, subject to pre-authorisation and clinical protocols. Planned procedures must be pre-authorised at least 14 days in advance. On the Network versions, a member who voluntarily uses a hospital outside the Beat network pays a co-payment of up to R15,626.
Beat1 and Beat1 Network
Beat1 is the entry-level hospital option. In-hospital benefits and some preventative care are paid from Scheme risk, but out-of-hospital costs such as GP visits and acute medicine are paid from your own pocket. Beat1 has no savings account, no emergency room visit benefit and no Best Bucks. It suits healthy members who mainly want protection against hospital costs and can budget for day-to-day care themselves. Beat1 Network costs R2,439 a month for a principal member in 2027, against R2,712 for Beat1.
Beat2 and Beat2 Network
Beat2 adds a personal medical savings account equal to 16% of the contribution. For a principal member on Beat2 that is R530 a month, or R6,360 for the year, to spend on out-of-hospital claims. Beat2 also includes two emergency room or casualty visits per family per year, up to R3,000 per visit, and qualifies for Best Bucks. It suits young singles and couples who see a doctor occasionally and want a set amount for routine costs.
Beat3 and Beat3 Network
Beat3 has a 15% savings account, and some out-of-hospital benefits are paid from Scheme risk rather than only from savings. Beat3 suits young families who expect regular out-of-hospital claims but do not need a full day-to-day benefit.
Beat3 Plus
Beat3 Plus places 25% of the contribution in the savings account, which is R1,343 a month or R16,116 a year for a principal member in 2027. It has no Network version. Beat3 Plus suits members who prefer a larger savings pool they control, and its 2027 increase of 6.5% sits below the 7.5% on Beat1 to Beat3.
Beat4
Beat4 combines a 14% savings account with a day-to-day benefit that pays once savings run out, subject to an overall day-to-day limit of R16,876 for a principal member and R33,750 for a family in 2027. All preventative care benefits on Beat4 are paid from Scheme risk. It suits families and older members who want broader out-of-hospital cover than Beat3 without moving to the Pace range.
How do the Pace options differ?
All four Pace options pay in-hospital benefits at 100% of the Scheme tariff and include two casualty visits per family per year at up to R3,000 each. Each also covers bone densitometry once every 24 months for beneficiaries aged 45 and over. They differ in the savings account, the day-to-day limit and the limit for MRI, CT and nuclear medicine scans.
- Pace1: 19% savings account, then a day-to-day benefit with an overall limit of R14,346 for a principal member and R28,689 for a family. Specialised imaging up to R43,514 per family. It suits members who want comprehensive cover at a lower price point than Beat4.
- Pace2: 14% savings account and a day-to-day limit of R17,922 for a principal member and R35,844 for a family. Specialised imaging up to R45,689 per family. It suits families with ongoing out-of-hospital needs.
- Pace3: 14% savings account and a day-to-day limit of R23,949 for a principal member and R49,494 for a family, with the same imaging limit as Pace2. It suits members with chronic conditions or frequent specialist visits.
- Pace4: only 3% goes to savings, because out-of-hospital and preventative benefits are paid from Scheme risk first. The day-to-day limit is R47,190 for a principal member and R76,099 for a family, and specialised imaging is covered up to R48,953 per family. It suits members with substantial, predictable healthcare costs who want day-to-day claims paid from Scheme risk before savings.
How do the income-based Rhythm options work?
Rhythm contributions depend on household income, and members must use designated service providers in the Rhythm network. Both options give unlimited medically necessary consultations for basic primary care with GPs registered on the Rhythm network.
Rhythm1 limits in-hospital benefits to Prescribed Minimum Benefits at designated service providers. It adds unlimited pharmacy clinic nurse consultations, and pre-approval is needed after the tenth GP visit. Rhythm1 charges for every child, with no three-child maximum. It suits lower-income households who want unlimited network primary care and the PMB safety net from R1,866 a month.
Rhythm2 pays in-hospital benefits at 100% of the Scheme tariff at a designated hospital, rather than only PMBs. Each family also has R1,874 a year for out-of-network GP and casualty visits. A co-payment of R15,626 per event applies for voluntary use of a non-designated hospital. It suits households that want full network hospital cover on an income-related contribution, although the 2027 band changes make it worth checking the new rate carefully.
Which benefits apply across Bestmed in 2027?
- Tempo wellness programme: free health and wellness benefits for all beneficiaries on every option, including the Tempo Lifestyle Screening and funded consultations with Tempo partner biokineticists and dietitians.
- Best Bucks: R1,000 per family for qualifying out-of-hospital claims, paid before savings or day-to-day benefits, once every adult beneficiary has completed a Tempo Lifestyle Screening. It is not available on Beat1, Beat1 Network, Rhythm1 and Rhythm2.
- Prescribed Minimum Benefits: PMB conditions are covered in full when designated service providers are used, without reducing the savings account.
- Preventative care for 2027: one RSV dose for infants born between January and May, and HPV vaccination for males and females aged 9 to 26 on the Beat and Pace ranges.
- Day procedures: on the Beat and Pace ranges, a co-payment of R2,987 per event applies if a listed day procedure is done in an acute hospital rather than a day hospital.
How does Bestmed compare with other schemes?
Medihelp, also a self-administered open scheme, announced a weighted average increase of 7.5% for 2027, so the two headline figures are close. Our Medihelp vs Bestmed comparison sets the two plan ladders side by side, and the Bestmed vs Discovery comparison covers members deciding between Bestmed and the Discovery Health Medical Scheme. The 2027 medical aid increases round-up covers the other schemes.
Where in-hospital co-payments or specialist shortfalls are a concern, Gap Cover may help, depending on the policy.
How should you choose a Bestmed option for 2027?
Start with your expected hospital use and whether you will accept a network hospital, then estimate your annual out-of-hospital spending and compare it with the savings and day-to-day amounts above. A Curemed Advisor can complete a needs analysis under the FAIS Act, compare Bestmed options with each other and with other schemes, and handle the option change before the 31 December 2026 cut-off.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bestmed a self-administered medical scheme?
Yes. Bestmed states in its 2027 Comparative Guide that it is self-administered, which means the scheme handles its own claims, membership and member services rather than paying a separate administrator.
What happens if I use a non-network hospital on a Bestmed Network option?
Bestmed applies a co-payment of up to R15,626 when a member on Beat1 Network, Beat2 Network or Beat3 Network voluntarily uses a hospital outside the Beat network for a planned admission. On the Rhythm options the co-payment for voluntary use of a non-DSP hospital is R15,626 per event. Check with your Advisor before any planned procedure.
When must I change my Bestmed option for 2027?
The Bestmed 2027 option change form states that option changes take effect only from 1 January of a financial year, provided the request is received before 31 December. For 2027 that means Bestmed must receive your request before 31 December 2026. Under section 29A(4) of the Medical Schemes Act, changing option within the same scheme does not start a new waiting period, although any waiting period you are still serving continues.
Which Bestmed options include a medical savings account?
In 2027 the personal medical savings account takes 16% of the contribution on Beat2 and Beat2 Network, 15% on Beat3 and Beat3 Network, 25% on Beat3 Plus, 14% on Beat4, 19% on Pace1, 14% on Pace2 and Pace3, and 3% on Pace4. Beat1, Beat1 Network, Rhythm1 and Rhythm2 have no savings account.
Will I serve waiting periods if I join Bestmed in 2027?
That depends on your previous cover. Section 29A of the Medical Schemes Act allows a scheme to impose a general waiting period of up to three months and condition-specific waiting periods of up to 12 months on an applicant who was not on a medical scheme in the 90 days before applying, and in that case Prescribed Minimum Benefits may also be excluded during the waiting period. Applicants moving from another scheme with a break of less than 90 days face narrower waiting periods, and new waiting periods cannot exclude Prescribed Minimum Benefits, although an unexpired waiting period from the previous scheme may carry over.
Disclaimer: This article is general information and not advice. It does not replace the registered Rules of Bestmed Medical Scheme; where there is any difference, the Scheme Rules apply. 2027 benefits and contributions are subject to approval by the Registrar of Medical Schemes. Curemed is an authorised financial services provider, FSP 44098.
Martin Janse van Rensburg
Sales Manager and Financial Advisor | Curemed Health and Wealth Consultants
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