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Fedhealth vs Medihelp
The Fedhealth ranges compared with the Medihelp plans, with the 2027 changes.
By Martin Janse van Rensburg, Sales Manager and Financial Advisor at Curemed. Reviewed by Roxanne Hurter-Ehlers, Director of People and Governance.
Fedhealth vs Medihelp: Compare Plans, Benefits and Networks (2026 and 2027)
Fedhealth and Medihelp are open medical schemes in South Africa, both regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes. This guide compares their structure, plan ranges, hospital networks and wellness programmes so you can see how they differ. It does not list full premiums, which change every year, but it does summarise the 2027 increases and plan changes each scheme has published. For your own contribution, check the scheme website or ask a broker for a personalised quote.
| At a glance | Fedhealth | Medihelp |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme type | Open scheme, CMS-regulated | Open scheme, CMS-regulated |
| Administration | Governed by its own board of trustees, in a partnership with Sanlam announced in February 2025 | Self-administered |
| Plan ranges | Five ranges for 2027: sureFEDEssential and sureFEDPlus (Traditional), flexiFED Hospital and Savings Plans (flexiFEDSavvy and flexiFED 1 to 4, with Elect and GRID variants), myFED (income-banded), and maxima EXEC and maxima PLUS (Executive) | 11 plans for 2027, plus a student rate on MedMove!: MedMove!, MedVital and MedVital Elect, MedAdd and MedAdd Elect, MedSaver, MedReach, MedPrime and MedPrime Elect, MedElite and MedPlus |
| Plan types | Traditional, income-banded, hospital, savings and executive options | Entry, savings, network (Elect) and comprehensive options |
| Hospital network | Elect and GRID variants of flexiFED cost less in exchange for network conditions, and many options, including myFED and sureFED, require a nominated network GP | Tiered hospital-network access, with Elect options using a defined network |
| Wellness and rewards | D2D+ day-to-day benefits unlocked by taking proactive health steps, and a Wealth Bonus boost for qualifying members with a Sanlam risk product | Preventative and chronic-care support, including an oncology programme, plus the care extender benefit from 2027 (not on MedMove!) |
What changes at Fedhealth and Medihelp in 2027?
Both schemes have published their 2027 contributions, which apply from 1 January 2027. Both framed their announcement around 60% of members, but the figures measure different things, so compare your own plan rather than the headline figures.
| 2027 | Fedhealth | Medihelp |
|---|---|---|
| Published average increase | 8.9% average weighted increase for 60% of members. No scheme-wide average has been published | Weighted average of 7.5%, with increases of 7% or less for 60% of members (Medihelp announcement, 1 October 2026) |
| By plan or option | 0% on sureFEDEssential and sureFEDPlus, 8% on myFED and 8.4% on flexiFEDSavvy. A flexiFED 4 principal member moves from R6 620 to R7 515 a month, about 13.5% (Curemed calculation) | Examples of 2027 main member contributions: MedVital R3 300, MedSaver R4 620 and MedPrime R6 222 a month |
| Notable 2027 changes | Risk benefit limits and savings allocations rise by 3.9%, D2D+ limits rise, a new RSV vaccination benefit applies on flexiFED 4, maxima EXEC and maxima PLUS, and the Alignd Palliative Care Programme extends to all options | New care extender benefit (up to two extra GP consultations and R1 050 towards acute or self-medication for completing health screenings), a dedicated out-of-hospital depression benefit, and wider maternity support |
| Option changes | Option Selection Form to be received by 30 November 2026 | Plan changes apply from 1 January 2027. The cut-off date is on the Medihelp 2027 plan choice form |
For plan-by-plan tables, read our Fedhealth 2027 increase analysis and Medihelp 2027 increase analysis.
Who each scheme may suit
Fedhealth
Fedhealth is an established open scheme. On structure, it may suit people who want a choice between hospital and savings versions of the same flexiFED option, an income-banded option in myFED, or the sureFED Traditional Plans, which Fedhealth held at a 0% increase for 2027.
Medihelp
Medihelp is the oldest medical scheme in South Africa, dating to 1905. On structure, it may suit people who value a long-established, self-administered scheme.
The right choice depends on your specific needs, your preferred hospitals and which plan tier fits your situation, not on the scheme name alone.
How a broker helps you compare
A registered broker compares the schemes side by side against your needs through a needs analysis (required under the FAIS Act), covering your health needs, chronic conditions, family composition, hospital preferences and budget. Curemed is FSP 44098 and accredited by the Council for Medical Schemes as ORG 163, and advises on all the main open schemes. See our credentials.
Related comparisons and guides
Frequently asked questions
Which scheme is self-administered?
Medihelp is self-administered. Fedhealth is governed by its own board of trustees and works in partnership with Sanlam.
What are the Fedhealth plan ranges for 2027?
Fedhealth offers five ranges: the sureFED Traditional Plans, flexiFED Hospital Plans and Savings Plans (flexiFEDSavvy and flexiFED 1 to 4, with Elect and GRID variants), the income-banded myFED, and the Executive Plans maxima EXEC and maxima PLUS.
What plans does Medihelp offer for 2027?
Medihelp offers 11 plans, according to the Medihelp member guide 2027: MedMove!, MedVital and MedVital Elect, MedAdd and MedAdd Elect, MedSaver, MedReach, MedPrime and MedPrime Elect, MedElite and MedPlus. MedMove! also has a student rate.
Do both offer hospital and savings plans?
Yes. Each flexiFED option comes as a Hospital Plan or a Savings Plan, and Medihelp offers savings options such as MedAdd and MedSaver.
Do both have network-discount options?
Yes. Fedhealth offers Elect and GRID variants of flexiFED and the network-based myFED, and Medihelp offers Elect options.
Can Fedhealth members add their own savings?
Yes. On flexiFED, members can choose an amount of back-up savings to add to their day-to-day cover, up to an annual maximum per option. Fedhealth divides the chosen amount by 12 and adds it to the monthly contribution.
Are both regulated by the CMS?
Yes. Both are open schemes regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes.
Compare these schemes against your needs
Speak to an independent Curemed broker for a no-obligation needs analysis and a side-by-side comparison matched to your situation.
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Martin Janse van Rensburg
Sales Manager and Financial Advisor | Curemed Health and Wealth Consultants
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