Last reviewed: October 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.
Six open medical scheme options cost under R1,000 a month for a principal member in 2027: Makoti Primary (R466), Momentum Ingwe (R699), Sizwe Hosmed Essential Copper (R700), Thebemed Universal EDO (R730), Medihelp MedMove! Student (R864) and Thebemed Universal (R880). Every one of them applies only in its lowest income band or only to students, so the price you pay depends on what you earn.
Until 31 December 2026 the 2026 rates apply, and the table below shows both years. Every figure comes from the contribution documents the schemes publish, and the 2027 figures are published subject to registration or approval by the Council for Medical Schemes.
In short
- 2027: six open scheme options cost under R1,000 a month for the principal member, from R466 on Makoti Primary to R880 on Thebemed Universal.
- Every one is income-tested or student-only. Above the lowest band the same option costs far more, for example R1,041 on Makoti Primary and R1,537 on Momentum Ingwe Network.
- CompCare DigiCare leaves the list for 2027: it moves from R995 to R1,099.
- Makoti Primary uses State hospitals only. The others give network private hospital cover with limited day-to-day benefits.
- Prescribed Minimum Benefits apply on every option by law.
Which medical aid options cost under R1,000 a month in 2027?
| Scheme and option | 2026 | 2027 | Who qualifies for this rate in 2027 | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makoti Primary | R438 | R466 | Income R0 to R8,374 a month (2026: R0 to R7,900) | Primary care with a nominated GP; hospital cover in State hospitals only |
| Momentum Ingwe | R645 | R699 | Income R0 to R1,600 a month (2026: R0 to R1,550) | Network hospital plan plus network primary care |
| Sizwe Hosmed Essential Copper (new entry band) | Not offered at this price | R700 | Income R0 to R1,650 a month; R700 per beneficiary | Entry option of Sizwe Hosmed; check benefits in its 2027 brochure |
| Thebemed Universal EDO | R680 | R730 | Income R0 to R500 a month | Network private hospital cover plus primary care with a nominated GP |
| Medihelp MedMove! Student | R804 | R864 | Students with income R0 to R900 a month | Network hospital plan plus network and virtual GP care |
| Thebemed Universal | R820 | R880 | Income R0 to R500 a month | Non-EDO version of the Universal option |
| CompCare DigiCare | R995 | From R1,099, above R1,000 | Marketed to students and younger adults | Hospital plan plus day-to-day benefits |
What does the income band mean for your price?
Every option on this list reaches its sub-R1,000 price only in its lowest band. In 2027 Makoti Primary costs R1,041 for income of R8,375 to R11,092 and up to R1,285 above R19,720. Momentum Ingwe on the Ingwe Network costs R1,537 for income of R1,601 to R9,800. Thebemed Universal EDO costs R1,805 for income of R501 to R2,500, and the Sizwe Hosmed Essential Copper rate rises to R3,934 above R1,650. Schemes verify income, usually with payslips or bank statements, so band yourself honestly at application.
Restricted schemes are a separate case. Bankmed Essential started at R893 in 2026, but Bankmed is open only to the banking industry, and for 2027 it has published proposed percentage increases rather than a rand table. GEMS is open only to public service employees.
What do these plans actually cover?
Makoti Primary is not a private hospital plan. It covers primary care and day-to-day benefits through a nominated accredited GP, and hospital and specialist care runs through State facilities. It suits a household that mainly needs a GP, medicine and preventive care, and accepts public hospitals for admissions.
Momentum Ingwe, Thebemed Universal and Universal EDO and Medihelp MedMove! Student give private hospital cover through a network, with defined primary care. Momentum Ingwe has no overall annual hospital limit and pays at 100% of the Momentum Medical Scheme Rate at network hospitals; the Connect Network version, R1,158 in the lowest 2027 band, routes chronic and day-to-day care to State facilities. Thebemed Universal EDO uses a Life, Mediclinic and Netcare network. MedMove! Student is limited to registered students. Network rules decide where you may be admitted, and voluntary use of a non-network hospital attracts a co-payment.
For the next price bracket, see medical aid under R1,500 in South Africa, where flexiFEDSavvy, BonCore, KeyCare Start Regional, Active Smart and the new KeyHealth Core sit in 2027.
What must every one of these plans cover by law?
Every registered scheme must pay the Prescribed Minimum Benefits in full on every option, without co-payment or deductibles, when you use its designated service provider. They cover any emergency medical condition, 271 Diagnosis and Treatment Pairs and 26 chronic conditions on the Chronic Disease List, as set out by the Council for Medical Schemes. On low-cost plans those benefits are often delivered at designated providers, including State facilities.
How does the tax credit change the real cost?
For the year of assessment from 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027, the SARS medical scheme fees tax credit is R376 a month for the taxpayer who paid the contributions, R752 for the taxpayer and one dependant, and R254 for each additional dependant. At this end of the market the credit is large relative to the contribution, but it is a credit against tax payable, so it helps only a taxpayer who owes tax. Our medical aid tax credit calculator works out your figure.
How do you choose without regretting it?
Check four things before you join: whether your income really falls in the lowest band, whether the network hospital and GP are practical from where you live and work, how chronic medicine is handled, and whether you can accept State hospitals if the option uses them. The cheapest option is not always the right one. Our guide on how to choose medical aid in South Africa works through the questions, and how much medical aid costs sets out the wider price range.
Curemed is an FSCA-licensed brokerage (FSP 44098) and has advised on medical aid since 1992. A Curemed Advisor can compare these options against your income and nearest network hospitals; ask for a comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is there really medical aid under R1,000 in South Africa in 2027?
Yes, six open scheme options, but only in their lowest income band or for students: Makoti Primary (R466), Momentum Ingwe (R699), Sizwe Hosmed Essential Copper (R700), Thebemed Universal EDO (R730), Medihelp MedMove! Student (R864) and Thebemed Universal (R880). Makoti Primary uses State hospitals only.
Why does my quote cost more than the price on this page?
Because these prices apply only to the lowest income band. On the same option a higher household income moves you to a higher band, for example R1,537 instead of R699 on Momentum Ingwe Network, and adult and child dependants add their own contributions.
Is a health insurance policy under R1,000 the same as medical aid?
No. Health insurance policies are not registered medical schemes and do not have to cover Prescribed Minimum Benefits, and premiums can rise with age. Medical schemes must accept you on an open scheme and must cover Prescribed Minimum Benefits. The Council for Medical Schemes explains the difference on its medical scheme versus insurance page.
Will my contribution stay under R1,000 next year?
Not necessarily. Contributions are reviewed every year, and CompCare DigiCare moved from R995 in 2026 to R1,099 in 2027. Review your option each year before the scheme cut-off date for changes.
Martin Janse van Rensburg
Sales Manager and Financial Advisor | Curemed Health and Wealth Consultants
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