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Medihelp vs Bestmed
Two member-focused schemes compared on plans and chronic cover.
By Martin Janse van Rensburg, Sales Manager and Financial Advisor at Curemed. Reviewed by Roxanne Hurter-Ehlers, Director of People and Governance.
Medihelp vs Bestmed: Compare Plans, Benefits and Networks (2027)
Medihelp and Bestmed are both open medical schemes regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS), and both are self-administered, meaning they process claims and manage members in-house rather than through a third-party administrator. For 2027 the Medihelp plans are MedMove!, MedVital, MedAdd, MedSaver, MedReach, MedPrime, MedElite and MedPlus, with lower-cost Elect network versions of MedVital, MedAdd and MedPrime. The Bestmed options sit in the Beat, Pace and income-based Rhythm ranges. Both schemes cover the 26 Chronic Disease List (CDL) conditions as Prescribed Minimum Benefits on every plan, subject to treatment guidelines, formularies and designated service providers. The right scheme depends on your specific needs, and there is no single answer for everyone.
Medihelp vs Bestmed at a glance (2027)
| Attribute | Medihelp | Bestmed |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | CMS | CMS |
| Scheme type | Open scheme | Open scheme |
| Administration model | Self-administered (claims and member services in-house) | Self-administered (claims and member services in-house) |
| Plan ranges | MedMove!, MedVital, MedAdd, MedSaver, MedReach, MedPrime, MedElite and MedPlus, with Elect versions of MedVital, MedAdd and MedPrime | Beat1, Beat2, Beat3, Beat3 Plus and Beat4 (Network versions of Beat1 to Beat3), Pace1 to Pace4, and income-based Rhythm1 and Rhythm2 |
| 2027 average increase | 7.5% weighted average, with 7% or less for 60% of members | 7.35% average weighted increase |
| 2027 main member contribution | From R864 a month (MedMove! Student) to R16,800 a month (MedPlus) | From R1,866 a month (Rhythm1, first income band) to R13,641 a month (Pace4) |
| Network plans | Tiered hospital network on MedMove!, MedVital Elect, MedAdd Elect, MedReach and MedPrime Elect; co-payments of up to 35% of the hospital account if a hospital outside the designated tier is used | Network versions of Beat1 to Beat3 cost about 10% less; voluntary use of a non-network hospital carries a co-payment of up to R15,626 |
| Hospital network | Network plans use a designated hospital tier; the other plans allow broader hospital choice | Standard Beat options allow any hospital; Network options and the Rhythm range use designated hospitals |
| Chronic Disease List (CDL) cover | All 26 CDL conditions covered as PMBs on every plan, subject to treatment guidelines | All 26 CDL conditions covered as PMBs on every plan, subject to formularies and protocols |
| Child dependants | Child rates until age 26; on MedVital, MedAdd and MedPrime you pay for only the two youngest children under 18 | Child rates under age 24; you pay for a maximum of three children on every option except Rhythm1 |
| Extended chronic cover | Available on higher tiers (specific list per plan) | Available on higher tiers (specific list per plan) |
| Day-to-day cover style | Combination of savings, threshold and network benefits, varies by plan | Combination of savings, threshold and network benefits, varies by plan |
| Member services | Member app and member portal | In-house member services; member app and member portal |
| Maternity benefit | Dedicated maternity programme; specifics vary by plan | Dedicated maternity programme; specifics vary by plan |
| Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) | Covered on all plans, in full at designated service providers and subject to protocols | Covered on all plans, in full at designated service providers and subject to protocols |
| Waiting periods | General and condition-specific waiting periods may apply under section 29A of the Medical Schemes Act | General and condition-specific waiting periods may apply under section 29A of the Medical Schemes Act |
| Late-joiner penalties | Applied per the Medical Schemes Act where applicable | Applied per the Medical Schemes Act where applicable |
Table checked 3 November 2026. 2027 figures apply from 1 January 2027 and remain subject to CMS or Registrar approval. Sources: Medihelp 2027 Member Guide and plan pages, Medihelp 2027 announcement and the Bestmed 2027 Comparative Guide. The Bestmed average was announced on 30 September 2026 and reported by Moonstone.
How do the 2027 increases compare?
Medihelp has announced a weighted average contribution increase of 7.5% for 2027, with increases limited to 7% or less for 60% of members. Bestmed has announced an average weighted increase of 7.35%. Both are averages across each membership, so neither is the increase on any single plan. On the published 2026 and 2027 tables, Medihelp main member increases run from about 6.5% to 8.5%, and Bestmed principal member increases run from 6.5% to 8.5% on every option except Rhythm2, where a change from three income bands to two pushes the first band up by 17.0%.
For plan-by-plan figures, see the Medihelp 2027 increase analysis, the Bestmed 2027 increase analysis and our Bestmed 2027 plan review.
Who does Medihelp suit?
Members who want a long-established open scheme with a broad plan ladder, families with three or more children under 18 on MedVital, MedAdd or MedPrime, and members who will accept a tiered hospital network (MedVital Elect, MedAdd Elect, MedReach or MedPrime Elect) in exchange for a lower contribution.
Who does Bestmed suit?
Members who want a structured Beat and Pace ladder that progresses by life stage and budget, a Beat Network option at about 10% less than the standard version, or an income-based Rhythm option, and who will use the free Tempo wellness programme.
How a broker helps you decide
A registered broker conducts a needs analysis (required under the FAIS Act) covering your health needs, chronic conditions, family composition and hospital preferences, then maps those needs to the specific Medihelp or Bestmed plan that fits. The broker handles application paperwork, plan changes and claims support throughout the year. Curemed is FSP 44098 and accredited by CMS as ORG 163. See our credentials.
Frequently asked questions about Medihelp vs Bestmed
Are Medihelp and Bestmed both open schemes?
Yes. Both are open medical schemes regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes, meaning any South African can apply to join (subject to scheme rules, waiting periods and late-joiner penalties where applicable).
What does self-administered mean for Medihelp and Bestmed?
Both Medihelp and Bestmed describe themselves as self-administered. The scheme processes claims, manages member data and runs member services in-house, rather than outsourcing these functions to a third-party administrator. It is not inherently better or worse than the administered model, where specialist administrators bring scale and technology. What matters is the service each scheme actually delivers.
Do both schemes cover the same chronic conditions?
Both cover the 26 Chronic Disease List conditions as Prescribed Minimum Benefits on every plan, subject to treatment guidelines, formularies and designated service providers. Higher-tier plans on both schemes extend chronic cover beyond the 26 CDL conditions, but the specific extended lists differ. Members with chronic conditions should check both lists directly with the scheme before deciding.
What is the MedVital plan?
MedVital is a Medihelp hospital plan with private hospital cover, no overall annual hospital limit and some day-to-day benefits. MedVital Elect is its network version, which uses Tier 1 network hospitals for a lower contribution: R2,568 a month for a main member in 2027, against R3,300 on MedVital.
What is the Beat plan range at Bestmed?
The Beat range runs from Beat1 to Beat4, with Beat3 Plus between Beat3 and Beat4. Every Beat option includes hospital cover, a savings account is added from Beat2 upwards and Beat4 adds a day-to-day benefit. Beat1, Beat2 and Beat3 also come in Network versions at a lower contribution.
Can I move chronic cover when switching between Medihelp and Bestmed?
Under section 29A of the Medical Schemes Act, a member who moves with a break in cover of less than 90 days cannot have Prescribed Minimum Benefits, including CDL conditions, excluded by a new waiting period. With up to two years of prior cover, a condition-specific waiting period of up to 12 months may apply to non-PMB conditions; with more than two years, only a general waiting period of up to three months may apply. An unexpired waiting period from the previous scheme can carry over. A broker can confirm what will and will not apply.
Do both schemes apply late-joiner penalties?
Both schemes apply late-joiner penalties as allowed under the Medical Schemes Act when an adult joins a medical scheme later in life without evidence of prior continuous cover.
How do I choose between Medihelp and Bestmed?
Start with your health needs, your family situation, your preferred hospitals and any chronic conditions. Then compare the specific plans from each scheme that match those needs. A registered broker can do this comparison with you under the FAIS Act needs-analysis requirement.
Get an independent recommendation between Medihelp and Bestmed
Speak to a Curemed broker for a no-obligation needs analysis and a personalised plan recommendation.
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Martin Janse van Rensburg
Sales Manager and Financial Advisor | Curemed Health and Wealth Consultants
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