Last reviewed: October 2026. We review our guides regularly to keep them accurate.
By Hagop Jaghlassian, CEO and Certified Financial Planner at Curemed. Reviewed by Roxanne Hurter-Ehlers, Director of People and Governance.
Bestmed announced on 30 September 2026 that it will implement an average weighted contribution increase of 7.35% for 2027. Curemed compared the official Bestmed 2026 and 2027 Comparative Guides option by option. For a principal member, all but one option rise by between 6.5% and 8.5%: the Beat range by about 7.5%, Beat3 Plus by 6.5%, Beat4 and Pace2 to Pace4 by 8.5%, Pace1 by 7.0% and Rhythm1 by about 7.5%. The exception is Rhythm2, where the income bands have been restructured and the bottom band rises by 17.0%. This article sets out every 2027 contribution and what it means for a family.
In short: Bestmed increase 2027
- Bestmed states an average weighted contribution increase of 7.35% for 2027, against 6.8% for 2026.
- Principal member contributions for 2027 run from R1,866 on the first Rhythm1 income band to R13,641 on Pace4. The rand increase runs from R130 to R1,069 a month.
- Child dependant rates on Beat1, Beat1 Network, Beat2, Beat2 Network and Beat3 Plus rise by only about 4.5%, so families on those options see a smaller increase than single members.
- Rhythm2 moves from three income bands to two. Principal members in the bottom band pay 17.0% more and those in the former middle band 14.0% more.
- Savings account percentages are unchanged on every option, and Bestmed has added a R1,000 per family Best Bucks benefit on qualifying options.
What is the Bestmed increase for 2027 by option?
The 7.35% is a weighted average across the membership of the scheme, so it is not the increase on any single option. The table below shows the total monthly contribution for a principal member, including the personal medical savings account where the option has one.
| Option | 2026 principal | 2027 principal | Rand increase | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beat1 Network | R2,269 | R2,439 | R170 | 7.5% |
| Beat1 | R2,523 | R2,712 | R189 | 7.5% |
| Beat2 Network | R2,775 | R2,983 | R208 | 7.5% |
| Beat2 | R3,084 | R3,315 | R231 | 7.5% |
| Beat3 Network | R4,062 | R4,367 | R305 | 7.5% |
| Beat3 | R4,514 | R4,853 | R339 | 7.5% |
| Beat3 Plus | R5,042 | R5,370 | R328 | 6.5% |
| Beat4 | R7,365 | R7,991 | R626 | 8.5% |
| Pace1 | R5,934 | R6,349 | R415 | 7.0% |
| Pace2 | R8,766 | R9,511 | R745 | 8.5% |
| Pace3 | R10,064 | R10,919 | R855 | 8.5% |
| Pace4 | R12,572 | R13,641 | R1,069 | 8.5% |
| Rhythm1, income up to R9,000 | R1,736 | R1,866 | R130 | 7.5% |
| Rhythm1, income R9,001 to R14,000 | R2,024 | R2,176 | R152 | 7.5% |
| Rhythm1, income above R14,000 | R3,615 | R3,886 | R271 | 7.5% |
Adult dependants rise by the same percentage as the principal member on every option shown. Child dependants are where the options separate. On Beat1, Beat1 Network, Beat2, Beat2 Network and Beat3 Plus the child rate rises by about 4.5%, for example from R1,299 to R1,357 on Beat2. On Beat3, Beat3 Network, Beat4, the Pace range and Rhythm1 the child rate moves in line with the adult rates. Bestmed treats dependants under the age of 24 as child dependants, and on every option except Rhythm1 a family pays for a maximum of three children, with further children covered at no extra contribution.
What does a family of four pay on Bestmed in 2027?
The smaller increase on child rates shows up clearly once a household is added together. The table takes a principal member, one adult dependant and two child dependants.
| Option | 2026 family total | 2027 family total | Extra a month | Increase | Extra a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beat1 Network | R5,945 | R6,333 | R388 | 6.5% | R4,656 |
| Beat1 | R6,604 | R7,036 | R432 | 6.5% | R5,184 |
| Beat2 Network | R7,265 | R7,741 | R476 | 6.6% | R5,712 |
| Beat2 | R8,077 | R8,604 | R527 | 6.5% | R6,324 |
| Beat3 Network | R9,828 | R10,566 | R738 | 7.5% | R8,856 |
| Beat3 | R10,920 | R11,739 | R819 | 7.5% | R9,828 |
| Beat3 Plus | R12,592 | R13,335 | R743 | 5.9% | R8,916 |
| Beat4 | R17,089 | R18,542 | R1,453 | 8.5% | R17,436 |
| Pace1 | R13,305 | R14,236 | R931 | 7.0% | R11,172 |
| Pace2 | R21,228 | R23,032 | R1,804 | 8.5% | R21,648 |
| Pace3 | R21,627 | R23,465 | R1,838 | 8.5% | R22,056 |
| Pace4 | R31,034 | R33,672 | R2,638 | 8.5% | R31,656 |
Beat3 Plus shows the effect clearly. A single principal member pays 6.5% more, but a family of four pays 5.9% more, because the two child rates rise by only R86 each. On Beat4 and the Pace2 to Pace4 options there is no such relief, and a family pays 8.5% more across the board. A Pace4 family of four pays R2,638 more a month, or R31,656 more over the year.
Why do Rhythm2 members face a much larger increase?
Rhythm2 is an income-banded option, and for 2027 Bestmed has reduced it from three income bands to two. In 2026 the bands were R0 to R5,500, R5,501 to R8,500 and above R8,501 a month. In 2027 they are R0 to R5,500 and above R5,501. Bestmed has not stated its reasons in the material Curemed reviewed, so the figures below are the arithmetic only.
| 2026 income band | Principal 2026 to 2027 | Adult 2026 to 2027 | Child 2026 to 2027 | Principal increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R0 to R5,500 | R2,747 to R3,214 | R2,610 to R3,054 | R1,653 to R1,882 | 17.0% |
| R5,501 to R8,500 | R3,300 to R3,762 | R3,000 to R3,387 | R1,759 to R1,882 | 14.0% |
| Above R8,501 | R3,516 to R3,762 | R3,165 to R3,387 | R1,759 to R1,882 | 7.0% |
The result runs against the usual pattern of income-banded pricing. Members in the bottom income band carry a higher percentage increase than anyone else on Bestmed, and a family of four in the bottom band goes from R8,663 to R10,032 a month, an increase of 15.8%. Members in the former middle band move to the same contribution as the former top band. Any Rhythm2 member, and any employer with staff on Rhythm2, should check the 2027 figure against the 2026 deduction before January.
What changes for Bestmed benefits in 2027?
As reported by FAnews on 30 September 2026, Bestmed announced cover for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antibodies for eligible babies on all options, paediatric immunisations on Beat1, two postnatal consultations across the Beat and Pace ranges and on Rhythm2, bone density screening every 24 months for female members aged 45 and above on Pace1, and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination extended to males. It also announced two separate casualty visits per family per year, up to R3,000 per visit on qualifying options, cover for corneal cross-linking on selected Beat and Rhythm options, medicine benefits for major depression on selected Beat options, and higher over-the-counter, take-home medicine and appliance limits on selected options.
The new Best Bucks benefit is set out in the 2027 Comparative Guide. It gives R1,000 per family for out-of-hospital claims, over and above day-to-day and savings benefits, once every adult beneficiary has completed a free Tempo Lifestyle Screening. Claims are paid from Best Bucks first, at 100% of the Scheme tariff, and co-payments or shortfalls cannot be paid from it. Best Bucks is not available on Beat1, Beat1 Network, Rhythm1 and Rhythm2.
The personal medical savings account percentages are the same in both guides: 16% 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. The rand savings amount rises only because the contribution rises. The guide notes that where it differs from the Scheme Rules, the Scheme Rules prevail.
How does the Bestmed increase compare with other schemes for 2027?
The 7.35% weighted average sits below the averages stated by the other schemes that have published so far: Medihelp at 7.5%, Momentum Medical Scheme at 7.9%, Medshield at 7.9% as reported by IOL, and Discovery Health Medical Scheme at 8.2%. KeyHealth has published no average, and its options rise by between 7.9% and 9.9% on our calculation. The round-up of 2027 medical aid increases tracks every scheme, and the Discovery 2027 analysis and KeyHealth 2027 analysis give the option detail for those two schemes.
Two points of context matter. Averages are not directly comparable between schemes, because each is weighted by a different membership. And every one of these figures, including the 7.35%, is close to double the 3.8% anchor recommended by the Council for Medical Schemes for 2027. Bestmed itself increased contributions by 6.8% for 2026, so its 2027 average is higher than last year.
What should Bestmed members do before the 2027 benefit year?
Start with your own option and band in the tables above, not with the 7.35%. Then read the Bestmed 2027 Comparative Guide for the option you are on and the options either side of it, because several benefit changes apply only to selected options.
Three checks are worth making. First, a family on Beat3 should compare Beat3 Plus, where the 2027 family increase is 5.9% against 7.5% and the savings portion is 25% of the contribution. Second, a household on Beat1 should note that Best Bucks is not available there but is available from Beat2 Network upwards, which narrows the effective gap between those options for members who complete their Tempo screening. Third, a Rhythm2 member should confirm which 2027 income band applies and what the new deduction will be.
Bestmed has not published a 2027 option change deadline that Curemed could verify, so act on the notice from the scheme as soon as it arrives. Our guide on how to choose a medical aid in South Africa sets out the questions to ask, and the Curemed medical aid comparison places Bestmed next to other schemes at similar price points.
If you would like help with your 2027 Bestmed options, a Curemed Advisor can compare your current option with the alternatives inside and outside the scheme, work through the family arithmetic with you, and show where Gap Cover may help with co-payments and shortfalls, depending on the policy. A member with another intermediary can move to Curemed as Advisor of record without changing option or scheme. Curemed has advised members since 1992 across all nine provinces, with no obligation attached to a conversation.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies as a child dependant on Bestmed in 2027?
Bestmed treats dependants under the age of 24 as child dependants, so they pay the child rate rather than the adult rate. On every option except Rhythm1, a family pays for a maximum of three children and any further children join at no additional contribution. On Rhythm1 there is no maximum, so each child is charged.
How do I unlock Best Bucks on Bestmed?
Every adult beneficiary on the membership must complete the free Tempo Lifestyle Screening at a Tempo network pharmacy, GP, partner dietitian or partner biokineticist. Once the results reach Bestmed, R1,000 per family is activated for qualifying out-of-hospital claims. The benefit does not apply on Beat1, Beat1 Network, Rhythm1 and Rhythm2.
Does changing option within Bestmed start a new waiting period?
In general, no. Section 29A of the Medical Schemes Act prevents a scheme from imposing a new general or condition-specific waiting period on a member who changes options within the same scheme. The exception is a member who is still serving a waiting period, which continues to run.
Who claims the tax credit when a parent pays the Bestmed contribution?
The medical scheme fees tax credit belongs to the taxpayer who paid the contributions, not automatically to the person named as the member. If a parent pays for a young adult who is the principal member on Bestmed, the parent claims the credit, provided that person is a dependant of the parent for tax purposes. The same contributions may not be claimed by two taxpayers.
Are the Bestmed Network options cheaper in 2027?
Yes. On Beat1, Beat2 and Beat3 the Network version costs about 10% less than the standard option for a principal member, and both versions rise by about 7.5%. For example, Beat2 Network costs R2,983 for a principal member in 2027 against R3,315 on Beat2. The Network versions require the use of designated service providers, so check that your doctors and hospitals are on the network before moving.
Hagop Jaghlassian
CEO and Certified Financial Planner | Curemed Health and Wealth Consultants
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