Last reviewed: October 2026. We review our guides regularly to keep them accurate.
By Hagop Jaghlassian, CEO at Curemed. Reviewed by Roxanne Hurter-Ehlers, Director of People and Governance.
Four Gap Cover providers have published their 2027 premiums on their own documents: Total Risk Administrators (TRA), Stratum Benefits, Discovery Gap Cover and Momentum GapCover. Curemed set each 2027 rate sheet beside the 2026 one. The increases cluster around 9% to 9.7% at Stratum, Discovery and on Momentum GapCover Primary, run from 0% to 9.1% at TRA depending on the product, and reach 22.9% to 25.3% on the main bands of Momentum GapCover Supreme. None of the four states an average increase, so every percentage on this page is a Curemed calculation from the published premiums. The scheme linked products sold with Fedhealth and Bonitas had not published 2027 premiums that Curemed could verify as at 26 October 2026.
In short: Gap Cover increases 2027
- TRA: Basic Cover 300 individual unchanged at R99; Basic family and over 65 and Vital Cover Plus up 6.4% to 6.9%; Super Cover Plus and Absolute Cover Plus up 8.9% to 9.1%.
- Stratum: every active option up 9.4% to 9.7%, for example Elite500 from R529 to R579 for an individual under 65. A new Luma300 option at R275 (35 or younger) and R700 (36 or older).
- Discovery Gap Cover: products renamed Gap 500, Gap 250 and Gap 100 from 1 January 2027, premiums up 8.9% to 9.8% across the plan groups and age bands compared here. Available only to Discovery Health Medical Scheme members.
- Momentum GapCover: Primary up 9.3% to 9.8%; Supreme up 22.9% to 25.3% on the under 42 and over 42 bands and 11.3% to 11.5% on the under 35 and over 65 single bands.
- Overall annual limits per insured person move from R219 845 to about R226 880 at Stratum and Discovery and from R219 800 to R230 800 at Momentum. TRA refers to the statutory limit without printing a 2027 figure.
- For comparison, the medical schemes Curemed tracks stated 2027 contribution increases of 7.35% to 8.9% where an average was given.
Curemed (Pty) Ltd, trading as Curemed Health and Wealth Consultants, is an authorised financial services provider, FSP 44098, and earns commission on Gap Cover policies it places. The figures below are taken from the published documents of each provider and are presented without ranking.
Why does Gap Cover rise by more than the CMS anchor?
Gap Cover is short-term insurance regulated under the Short-term Insurance Act, not a medical scheme benefit, so the Council for Medical Schemes guidance that 2027 contribution increases be anchored at 3.8% does not apply to it. Each insurer sets its own premiums, and none of the four providers on this page publishes the reasoning behind its 2027 increase, so this page reports the figures and does not explain them.
The overall annual limit per insured person is set by regulation and adjusted each year by CPI. Stratum states R226 880 for 2027 and Discovery R226 881, against R219 845 in 2026, an increase of 3.2%. The premium increases on this page are roughly three times that.
How much does TRA Gap Cover cost in 2027?
From the TRA 2026 brochure (30 October 2025) and 2027 brochure (4 October 2026, modified 19 October 2026). Premiums are per policy per month, set by the age of the oldest beneficiary. Underwritten by Auto and General Insurance Company Limited; TRA is FSP 40815.
| Product | Band | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Cover 300 | Individual | R99 | R99 | R0, 0% |
| Basic Cover 300 | Family | R197 | R210 | R13, 6.6% |
| Basic Cover 300 | Oldest beneficiary 65 or older | R394 | R421 | R27, 6.9% |
| Vital Cover Plus | Under 65 / 65 or older | R394 / R591 | R420 / R629 | 6.6% / 6.4% |
| Super Cover Plus | Under 65 / 65 or older | R417 / R626 | R455 / R682 | 9.1% / 8.9% |
| Absolute Cover Plus | Under 65 / 65 or older | R681 / R846 | R742 / R922 | 9.0% / 9.0% |
Tariff shortfall cover is 300% of scheme rate on Basic Cover 300 and 700% on the three Plus products in both years. The product by product working, including the benefit limit changes, is in our TRA Gap Cover increase 2027 analysis.
How much does Stratum Gap Cover cost in 2027?
Stratum publishes its own side by side sheet, the 2026 vs 2027 Individual Product Range Premium Overview, dated 4 October 2026, so both columns below are Stratum figures. Premiums are monthly, per individual or per family where the sheet distinguishes them, and the sheet states that premiums increase annually on 1 January. Stratum Benefits (Pty) Ltd is FSP 2111, underwritten by Guardrisk Insurance Company Limited, FSP 75.
| Option | Band | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elite500 | 64 or younger, individual | R529 | R579 | R50, 9.5% |
| Elite500 | 64 or younger, family | R650 | R712 | R62, 9.5% |
| Elite500 | 65 or older, individual | R858 | R940 | R82, 9.6% |
| Elite500 | 65 or older, family | R1 049 | R1 149 | R100, 9.5% |
| Meridian400 | 35 or younger, individual | R275 | R301 | R26, 9.5% |
| Meridian400 | 36 to 64, individual | R352 | R385 | R33, 9.4% |
| Meridian400 | 64 or younger, family | R352 | R385 | R33, 9.4% |
| Meridian400 | 65 or older | R768 | R841 | R73, 9.5% |
| Compact300 | 64 or younger, individual | R363 | R397 | R34, 9.4% |
| Compact300 | 64 or younger, family | R439 | R481 | R42, 9.6% |
| Compact300 | 65 or older | R692 | R758 | R66, 9.5% |
| Access Co-Pay Plus300 | 64 or younger | R444 | R486 | R42, 9.5% |
| Access Co-Pay Plus300 | 65 or older | R591 | R647 | R56, 9.5% |
| Access Optimiser | 64 or younger | R217 | R238 | R21, 9.7% |
| Access Optimiser | 65 or older | R288 | R315 | R27, 9.4% |
| Luma300 (new for 2027) | 35 or younger / 36 or older | Not offered | R275 / R700 | New option |
The percentage cover of scheme rate is in the product name: 500% on Elite500, 400% on Meridian400 and 300% on Luma300, Compact300 and the Access products. Stratum states the overall policy limit as R226 880 per insured person for 2027.
How much does Discovery Gap Cover cost in 2027?
From the Discovery Gap Cover 2027 brochure (reference RCK_120776DH_19/10/2026) and the 2026 brochure (RCK_114623DH_26/11/2025). From 1 January 2027 Gap Comprehensive becomes Discovery Gap 500, Gap Core becomes Discovery Gap 250 and Gap Active becomes Discovery Gap 100; the brochure states that only the names change. The policy is available only to Discovery Health Medical Scheme members, excluding KeyCare, and every person on the scheme plan must be on the policy. The premium depends on the option, the scheme plan group and the age the oldest member on the plan turns at their next birthday. The brochure states that the premiums shown apply to new members. Underwritten by Discovery Insure Limited.
| Option | Age band | Scheme plan group | 2026 single / family | 2027 single / family | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gap 500 | 0 to 54 | Executive and Classic | R270 / R457 | R295 / R498 | 9.3% / 9.0% |
| Gap 500 | 0 to 54 | Essential and Active | R464 / R815 | R506 / R888 | 9.1% / 9.0% |
| Gap 500 | 0 to 54 | Coastal | R510 / R1 165 | R556 / R1 269 | 9.0% / 8.9% |
| Gap 500 | 55 to 64 | Executive and Classic | R458 / R699 | R499 / R762 | 9.0% / 9.0% |
| Gap 500 | 55 to 64 | Essential and Active | R850 / R1 779 | R926 / R1 938 | 8.9% / 8.9% |
| Gap 500 | 55 to 64 | Coastal | R934 / R1 779 | R1 018 / R1 938 | 9.0% / 8.9% |
| Gap 500 | 65 and older | Executive and Classic | R586 / R969 | R639 / R1 056 | 9.0% / 9.0% |
| Gap 500 | 65 and older | Essential and Active | R1 129 / R2 339 | R1 230 / R2 548 | 8.9% / 8.9% |
| Gap 500 | 65 and older | Coastal | R1 241 / R2 339 | R1 352 / R2 548 | 8.9% / 8.9% |
| Gap 250 | 0 to 54 | Executive and Classic | R171 / R295 | R187 / R322 | 9.4% / 9.2% |
| Gap 250 | 0 to 54 | Essential and Active | R317 / R572 | R346 / R623 | 9.1% / 8.9% |
| Gap 250 | 0 to 54 | Coastal | R348 / R816 | R379 / R889 | 8.9% / 8.9% |
| Gap 250 | 55 to 64 | Executive and Classic | R306 / R365 | R334 / R398 | 9.2% / 9.0% |
| Gap 250 | 55 to 64 | Essential and Active | R718 / R1 186 | R782 / R1 292 | 8.9% / 8.9% |
| Gap 250 | 55 to 64 | Coastal | R789 / R1 186 | R860 / R1 292 | 9.0% / 8.9% |
| Gap 250 | 65 and older | Executive and Classic | R356 / R535 | R388 / R583 | 9.0% / 9.0% |
| Gap 250 | 65 and older | Essential and Active | R1 076 / R1 898 | R1 172 / R2 067 | 8.9% / 8.9% |
| Gap 250 | 65 and older | Coastal | R1 183 / R1 898 | R1 289 / R2 067 | 9.0% / 8.9% |
| Gap 100 | 0 to 30 | Executive and Classic | R53 / R153 | R58 / R167 | 9.4% / 9.2% |
| Gap 100 | 0 to 30 | Essential and Active | R53 / R218 | R58 / R238 | 9.4% / 9.2% |
| Gap 100 | 0 to 30 | Coastal | R82 / R327 | R90 / R357 | 9.8% / 9.2% |
| Gap 100 | 31 to 40 | Executive and Classic | R108 / R191 | R118 / R208 | 9.3% / 8.9% |
| Gap 100 | 31 to 40 | Essential and Active | R108 / R327 | R118 / R357 | 9.3% / 9.2% |
| Gap 100 | 31 to 40 | Coastal | R131 / R436 | R143 / R475 | 9.2% / 8.9% |
For 2027 the Gap 100 premium for the 41 to 50 band is R350 single and R390 family on Executive and Classic plans, R450 and R490 on Essential and Active plans, and R817 and R1 229 on Coastal plans. Tariff shortfall cover is up to 500%, 250% and 100% of scheme rate respectively, and the overall annual limit is R226 881 per person.
How much does Momentum GapCover cost in 2027?
From the Momentum GapCover focus pages for 2027 (29 September 2026) and 2026 (23 October 2025). These are Momentum documents, but at the time of writing the public Momentum Gap Cover page still linked the 2026 brochure, so members should confirm the 2027 premium on their renewal notice. Premiums are monthly. Underwritten by Guardrisk Insurance Company Limited, FSP 75. GapCover Primary is not available to principal members under 35 or over 65.
| Product | Band | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GapCover Supreme | Under 42, single | R478 | R589 | R111, 23.2% |
| GapCover Supreme | Under 42, family | R523 | R643 | R120, 22.9% |
| GapCover Supreme | Over 42, single | R667 | R830 | R163, 24.4% |
| GapCover Supreme | Over 42, family | R736 | R922 | R186, 25.3% |
| GapCover Supreme | Under 35, single | R282 | R314 | R32, 11.3% |
| GapCover Supreme | Over 65, single | R809 | R902 | R93, 11.5% |
| GapCover Primary | Under 42, single | R390 | R428 | R38, 9.7% |
| GapCover Primary | Under 42, family | R420 | R461 | R41, 9.8% |
| GapCover Primary | Over 42, single | R544 | R597 | R53, 9.7% |
| GapCover Primary | Over 42, family | R599 | R655 | R56, 9.3% |
The Supreme increase on the under 42 and over 42 bands is the largest on this page by a wide margin. The two documents describe the same two products, Supreme and Primary, with the shortfall cap rising from R219 800 to R230 800 per insured person. Curemed has not compared every benefit line between the two years, and Momentum has not published a reason for the size of the increase, so none is given here. A Supreme member on the under 42 family band pays R120 a month more in 2027; on the over 42 family band R186 more.
Which scheme linked Gap Cover products have not published 2027 premiums?
Fedhealth members are offered Sanlam Gap NexGen Cover, underwritten by Centriq Insurance Company Limited, FSP 3417. As at 26 October 2026 the Sanlam Gap documentation page listed only 2026 documents, with NexGen at R75 single and R127 family under 35, and R93 single and R187 family over 35, for 2026. Bonitas offers BGAP through its B Value programme, but no brochure or premium table is published on a page Curemed could read. Bestmed, Medihelp and KeyHealth do not market a scheme branded Gap Cover product. This section will be updated when 2027 documents appear.
What should you check before 1 January 2027?
Start with the medical scheme decision, because the option you hold decides the size of the shortfall your Gap Cover has to meet. The 2027 scheme increases and the option change cut-off dates, the earliest of which is 31 October 2026 for Bonitas members paid through Persal, are in our medical aid increase 2027 tracker.
Then read the Gap Cover renewal notice for three things: the 2027 premium on your band, since the increase on your policy may differ from the headline on this page; whether your age band changes in 2027, because on every product here the premium steps up when the oldest insured reaches the next band, independently of the annual increase; and whether the product still matches your scheme option, for example a move to a network option with new co-payments. Our Gap Cover page explains what the products cover.
If you would like help reading your renewal notice, or want to compare the Gap Cover products available to you alongside your 2027 medical aid option, a Curemed Advisor can set the figures side by side for your household. Curemed has advised South African households on medical scheme cover since 1992 and works with members in all nine provinces. There is no obligation.
Which other questions come up about Gap Cover increases for 2027?
Which Gap Cover provider has the smallest increase for 2027?
Of the four providers with published 2027 premiums, TRA has the lowest increases: no change on the Basic Cover 300 individual premium and 6.4% to 6.9% on Basic Cover 300 family and over 65 and on Vital Cover Plus. Its Super Cover Plus and Absolute Cover Plus rise by about 9%, in line with Stratum, Discovery and Momentum GapCover Primary. Products differ in what they cover, so a lower increase does not by itself make a product the better fit.
Which Gap Cover provider has the largest increase for 2027?
Momentum GapCover Supreme, at 22.9% to 25.3% on the under 42 and over 42 single and family bands, from the Momentum 2026 and 2027 focus pages. The under 35 and over 65 single bands rise by 11.3% and 11.5%. Momentum GapCover Primary rises by 9.3% to 9.8%.
Do Gap Cover premiums follow the CMS 3.8% anchor?
No. The Council for Medical Schemes guidance applies to medical scheme contributions. Gap Cover is short-term insurance and its premiums are set by the insurer. None of the four providers on this page increased by less than 6.4% on any band other than the unchanged TRA Basic Cover 300 individual premium.
Is there a deadline to change Gap Cover for 2027?
Not one set by your medical scheme. Gap Cover renews on the terms of the insurer, with the new premium applying from 1 January 2027. If you want to move between Gap Cover products or providers, check the waiting periods and the underwriting terms of the new policy before cancelling the old one, and do not leave a gap between the two.
Why is Discovery Gap Cover priced by medical scheme plan?
Discovery Gap Cover is available only to Discovery Health Medical Scheme members, and its brochure prices the policy by three plan groups: Executive and Classic, Essential and Active, and Coastal, as well as by the age of the oldest member. The brochure does not state the reasoning. The other providers on this page price by age band and by individual or family.
What is the overall annual limit on Gap Cover for 2027?
The limit per insured person is set by regulation and adjusted by CPI. Stratum states R226 880 and Discovery R226 881 for 2027, against R219 845 in 2026. Momentum states a shortfall benefit cap of R230 800 for 2027. TRA refers to the applicable statutory annual limit without printing a 2027 figure.
