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.
Bonitas Medical Fund and Momentum Medical Scheme are both open medical schemes, so anyone can join either one. For 2027 Bonitas offers 15 options, with main member contributions from R1,368 to R13,786 a month. Momentum Medical Scheme offers six options, with principal member contributions from R699 to R17,870 a month. Both schemes publish their 2027 benefits and contributions subject to approval by the Council for Medical Schemes.
This page replaces our 2024 comparison. Every figure below comes from the 2027 documents published by the two schemes, listed under Sources at the end.
In short
- Bonitas contributions rise by an average of 8.7% for 2027, with option increases from 7.3% to 11.5%. Momentum Medical Scheme contributions rise by an annual average of 7.9%.
- Both schemes have an income-based option: BonCap has four income bands and starts at R1,929 a month for a main member; Ingwe has six income bands and starts at R699 for a principal member.
- BonComprehensive is the only Bonitas option with any private hospital. Momentum lets you choose Any or network hospitals on four of its six options.
- Momentum Health Solutions took over the administration of Bonitas from 1 June 2026, but the two remain separate schemes with their own rules, options and prices.
How do Bonitas and Momentum compare at a glance?
| Bonitas | Momentum Medical Scheme | |
|---|---|---|
| Options for 2027 | 15 | 6 |
| 2027 increase | 8.7% average; 7.3% to 11.5% by option | 7.9% annual average |
| Main or principal member, per month | R1,368 (BonCore) to R13,786 (BonComprehensive) | R699 (Ingwe, first income band) to R17,870 (Summit) |
| Income-based option | BonCap, four income bands | Ingwe, six income bands and three hospital choices |
| Hospital access | BonComprehensive gives any private hospital; the other 14 options use networks | Any or network hospital choice on Ingwe, Custom, Incentive and Extender; Evolve uses a network; Summit gives any hospital |
| Chronic cover | At least 28 listed conditions on every option (the 26 CDL conditions, HIV/AIDS and at least one more), up to 61 on BonComprehensive | 26 CDL conditions on every option, with more on Incentive, Extender and Summit |
What does each Bonitas option cost in 2027?
Apart from BonCap, Bonitas sets one rate each for the main member, adult dependants and child dependants. BonCore and BonStart charge every family member the same rate. The percentage is the increase Bonitas publishes for each option, which refers to the risk contribution.
| Option | Main member | Adult | Child | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BonCore | R1,368 | R1,368 | R1,368 | 7.3% |
| BonStart | R1,720 | R1,720 | R1,720 | 7.3% |
| BonStart Plus | R2,189 | R2,082 | R965 | 7.3% |
| BonEssential Select | R2,526 | R1,850 | R834 | 7.7% |
| BonFit | R2,894 | R2,168 | R974 | 7.3% |
| BonEssential | R3,000 | R2,217 | R970 | 9.2% |
| BonPrime | R3,548 | R2,776 | R1,128 | 9.0% |
| Primary | R3,875 | R3,032 | R1,232 | 8.0% |
| Hospital Standard | R3,942 | R3,320 | R1,498 | 10.7% |
| BonSave | R4,343 | R3,282 | R1,299 | 7.3% |
| Standard | R6,474 | R5,612 | R1,900 | 9.2% |
| BonComplete | R7,256 | R5,812 | R1,968 | 9.7% |
| BonClassic | R9,078 | R7,792 | R2,241 | 10.2% |
| BonComprehensive | R13,786 | R13,000 | R2,808 | 10.2% |
What does each Momentum option cost in 2027?
On Custom, Incentive and Extender you choose a hospital provider (Any or Associated) and a chronic provider (Any, Associated or State), so each has six price lines. The table shows the two combinations that bracket each range. Our Momentum 2027 increase analysis lists all 20 lines.
| Option and provider choice | Principal | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evolve (Evolve Network hospitals, State chronic) | R2,176 | R2,176 | R2,176 |
| Custom, Associated hospital, State chronic | R2,789 | R2,110 | R988 |
| Custom, Any hospital, Any chronic | R4,852 | R3,894 | R1,732 |
| Incentive, Associated hospital, State chronic | R3,627 | R2,862 | R1,391 |
| Incentive, Any hospital, Any chronic | R6,543 | R5,317 | R2,551 |
| Extender, Associated hospital, State chronic | R8,576 | R6,505 | R2,523 |
| Extender, Any hospital, Any chronic | R12,448 | R10,025 | R3,571 |
| Summit (any provider) | R17,870 | R14,187 | R4,075 |
How do the BonCap and Ingwe income bands work in 2027?
BonCap and Ingwe both set your contribution by household income, and BonCap is subject to income verification. On both, the adult dependant pays the same rate as the main or principal member. The difference is in the bands: BonCap has four, starting at R12,400 a month, while Ingwe has six, starting at R1,600 a month.
| 2027 income band | Main member or adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| R0 to R12,400 | R1,929 | R909 |
| R12,401 to R20,100 | R2,354 | R1,083 |
| R20,101 to R26,200 | R3,795 | R1,436 |
| R26,201 and above | R4,657 | R1,767 |
Ingwe adds a second choice: the hospital network. Connect Network uses State facilities for chronic and day-to-day care, Ingwe Network uses the Ingwe Primary Care Network, and Any hospital uses the Ingwe Active Network. In the first income band Connect Network costs more than Ingwe Network, so it is worth checking each line rather than assuming the State option is the lower price.
| 2027 income band | Connect Network | Ingwe Network | Any hospital |
|---|---|---|---|
| R0 to R1,600 | R1,158 | R699 | R699 |
| R1,601 to R9,800 | R1,344 | R1,537 | R1,998 |
| R9,801 to R13,100 | R1,755 | R1,957 | R2,794 |
| R13,101 to R18,850 | R1,892 | R2,689 | R3,805 |
| R18,851 to R24,500 | R3,080 | R3,858 | R4,884 |
| R24,501 and above | R3,543 | R3,873 | R4,905 |
As an example, a principal member with a household income of R15,000 a month would pay R2,354 on BonCap, and R1,892 on Ingwe Connect Network, R2,689 on Ingwe Network or R3,805 on Ingwe Any hospital. Each scheme defines household income in its own rules, so confirm your band with an Advisor. For a three-way look at the entry options, see our KeyCare vs BonStart vs Ingwe comparison.
How much are contributions going up in 2027?
Bonitas announced on 8 October 2026 that its average contribution increase across all plans will be 8.7%. By option, the increase runs from 7.3% on BonCore, BonStart, BonStart Plus, BonFit and BonSave to 10.7% on Hospital Standard and 11.5% on BonCap, as published in the Bonitas comparison. Our Bonitas 2027 increase analysis sets out the 2026 and 2027 rates side by side.
Momentum Health has announced that Momentum Medical Scheme contributions will rise by an annual average of 7.9% in 2027, as reported by Moonstone on 1 October 2026. Momentum did not publish a percentage for each option, so our Momentum 2027 increase analysis calculates each line from the 2026 and 2027 brochures. Our 2027 increase tracker covers the wider market.
Which benefit differences should you weigh?
Hospital networks and co-payments
On Bonitas, 14 of the 15 options for 2027 use a hospital network. A planned admission at a non-network hospital costs R13,230 on BonStart and BonStart Plus, R15,310 on BonCore and a 30% co-payment on the other network options. BonComprehensive gives access to any private hospital, with a R5,670 co-payment if you do not use a network day hospital where one is required. Our Bonitas network options guide covers each rule.
On Momentum, Custom, Incentive and Extender members who choose Associated hospitals pay a lower contribution, and a 30% co-payment on the hospital account if they do not use an Associated hospital. Evolve carries a 30% co-payment outside the Evolve Network. Evolve and Custom also carry a R2,100 co-payment per hospital authorisation, with exceptions such as motor vehicle accidents and maternity confinements.
Chronic medicine
Every Momentum option covers the 26 Chronic Disease List conditions with no annual limit. Incentive adds 6 conditions and Extender adds 36 conditions, each limited to R14,300 per family, and Summit adds 36 conditions that accumulate to its overall day-to-day limit of R36,100 per beneficiary. On Custom, Incentive and Extender your chronic provider choice (Any, Associated or State) also changes the price.
Bonitas lists 27 chronic conditions as Prescribed Minimum Benefits: the 26 conditions on the Chronic Disease List published by the Council for Medical Schemes, plus HIV/AIDS. Eleven options cover 28 conditions; on BonStart, BonStart Plus, Primary, BonSave and BonFit the extra condition is depression, with medication up to R170 per beneficiary per month. Standard covers 34 conditions up to R13,590 per beneficiary and R27,270 per family, BonComplete covers 32, BonClassic 46 and BonComprehensive 61. Where an option has a chronic limit, the Prescribed Minimum Benefit conditions stay covered once it runs out.
Specialists and savings
On Ingwe, specialists are covered up to 100% of the Momentum Medical Scheme Rate. On the other Momentum options, Associated specialists are covered in full and other specialists up to 100% of that rate on Evolve and Custom, 200% on Incentive and Extender, and 300% on Summit. Incentive allocates 10% of the contribution to a savings account and Extender 25%. On Bonitas, BonSave includes 25% savings.
Bonitas also says its Benefit Booster grows by 140% for 2027, to up to R12,000 per family once members complete the required actions, and reaches BonCap for the first time.
Does Momentum now run Bonitas?
Momentum Group announced on 10 February 2026 that Momentum Health had won the tender to administer Bonitas Medical Fund, and AfroCentric, whose subsidiary Medscheme was the previous administrator, confirmed that Momentum Health Solutions took over with effect from 1 June 2026. Bonitas remains a separately registered medical scheme with its own rules, options and contributions, so a Bonitas member does not get Momentum Medical Scheme benefits.
Who does each scheme suit?
Bonitas may suit you if you want a flat price per member on an entry option, such as BonStart at R1,720 or BonCore at R1,368 for every member of the family, if you want a wide spread of options to move between as your needs change, or if you value the Benefit Booster.
Momentum may suit you if you want to set your hospital and chronic providers separately within one option, if your household income is very low and Ingwe Network or Connect Network fits your area, or if you want a savings account with a choice of chronic provider on Incentive or Extender. Families with more than three children may also benefit from the Momentum rule that charges for a maximum of three children on every option except Ingwe.
The right answer depends on where you live and which doctors you use. Our guide on how to choose a medical aid sets out the questions to ask.
When can you change your option for 2027?
Bonitas members paid through Persal had to submit the change of option form by 31 October 2026, and all other Bonitas members have until 30 November 2026; a new option applies from 1 January 2027. Momentum members must get the 2027 Option selection form to the scheme by 30 November 2026, and the change applies from 1 January 2027. A Curemed Advisor can quote both schemes side by side and show where Gap Cover may help with shortfalls.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonitas cheaper than Momentum for a single person?
It depends on the option and, on the income-based options, on your income. BonStart costs R1,720 a month per member and BonCore R1,368, while Momentum Evolve costs R2,176. On the income-based options, Momentum Ingwe Network starts at R699 for a principal member with household income up to R1,600 a month, while BonCap starts at R1,929 for income up to R12,400.
Can I move from Bonitas to Momentum, or the other way round, during the year?
You can change schemes during the year, subject to the notice period in the rules of your current scheme. The new scheme may apply waiting periods under section 29A of the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998, depending on your cover history. A change of option within the same scheme usually takes effect on 1 January, as the Bonitas 2027 change of option form shows.
Do both schemes cover chronic conditions on every option?
Yes. Every option on both schemes covers the 26 conditions on the Chronic Disease List published by the Council for Medical Schemes as Prescribed Minimum Benefits. Bonitas lists 27 conditions because it also counts HIV/AIDS, and several Bonitas and Momentum options add further conditions.
Are the 2027 contributions final?
Not yet. Bonitas publishes its 2027 contributions subject to approval by the Council for Medical Schemes, and Momentum says its 2027 benefits and contributions Rules have been submitted to the Council and are subject to approval by the Registrar.
Sources
Bonitas 2027 Contribution Increase Comparison; Bonitas 2027 All Plans brochure; Bonitas 2027 media release (8 October 2026); Bonitas 2027 change of option form; Momentum Medical Scheme 2027 marketing brochure; Moonstone report of the Momentum 2027 announcement; Momentum Group media release (10 February 2026); AfroCentric transfer of Bonitas administration notice.
This article is general information, not advice, and does not replace the rules of either scheme. Where this article and the scheme rules differ, the scheme rules apply. Curemed is a licensed financial services provider with the FSCA, FSP 44098.
Martin Janse van Rensburg
Sales Manager and Financial Advisor | Curemed Health and Wealth Consultants
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