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.
For 2027 there are two different moves, with different rules. Changing to another option inside your own medical scheme can be done once a year, takes effect on 1 January 2027, and your form must reach the scheme by the cut-off that scheme sets. For most schemes that cut-off is 30 November or 15 December 2026. Switching to a different medical scheme is allowed at any time of year, but the new scheme may impose waiting periods under section 29A of the Medical Schemes Act, depending on your cover before you apply.
In short
- A change of option inside your scheme takes effect on 1 January 2027 and brings no new waiting period (section 29A(4)).
- Scheme cut-offs for 2027 option changes: 30 November 2026 for Bonitas (31 October for Persal members), Fedhealth, CompCare, Momentum Health and Medihelp PERSAL members; 15 December 2026 for Profmed and other Medihelp members; before 15 December for KeyHealth; before 31 December 2026 for Bestmed; 31 December 2026 for Medshield.
- Discovery Health Medical Scheme had not published a 2027 cut-off as at 2 November 2026, and none appears in its 2027 FAQ document (checked 10 November 2026). Curemed works to 15 December 2026 for its Discovery clients.
- You can switch to another scheme at any time. Waiting periods depend on whether you had cover in the 90 days before you apply and for how long.
- Apply to the new scheme before your old cover ends. The 90 days run to the date of application, not the date new cover starts.
What is the difference between changing option and switching scheme?
A medical scheme, such as Bonitas or Medihelp, offers several benefit options. Changing option means moving to a different option within the same scheme, for example to a cheaper network option for 2027. Schemes allow this once a year, with effect from 1 January, and the request has to reach the scheme by its own administrative cut-off.
Switching scheme means resigning from one medical scheme and joining another. That is an application for new membership, so the new scheme may underwrite you and apply the waiting periods the Medical Schemes Act allows. It can happen at any time of year, not only in December.
When is the deadline to change medical aid option for 2027?
Each scheme sets its own date, and it falls before 1 January. The table shows the date each scheme states on its 2027 option change form, and the date by which Curemed asks its clients for their instruction so that the form can be checked before the scheme closes.
| Scheme | Scheme closing date for 2027 | Curemed client cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| Bonitas | 31 October 2026 for Persal members, 30 November 2026 for all other members | 30 November 2026 |
| Fedhealth | 30 November 2026 | 30 November 2026 |
| CompCare | 30 November 2026 | 30 November 2026 |
| Momentum Health | 30 November 2026 | 30 November 2026 |
| Medihelp | 30 November 2026 for civil servants paid through PERSAL, 15 December 2026 for all other members | 30 November 2026 (PERSAL), 15 December 2026 |
| Profmed | 15 December 2026 | 15 December 2026 |
| KeyHealth | Before 15 December | 15 December 2026 |
| Discovery Health Medical Scheme | Not published as at 2 November 2026 | 15 December 2026 |
| Bestmed | Before 31 December 2026 | 15 December 2026 |
| Medshield | 31 December 2026, with a contribution collection cut-off of 15 December 2026 | 15 December 2026 |
Source: the 2027 option change form of each scheme, as at 2 November 2026, compiled with a source link for each scheme in our medical aid increase 2027 tracker. The KeyHealth date is standing form wording, not a dated 2027 notice. Check the tracker for any update before you rely on a date.
How do you change your medical aid option for 2027?
- Check what your current option will cost and cover in 2027. Every scheme has published its 2027 contributions. Our 2027 tracker lists the stated increase and the range across options for ten schemes, with links to our analysis of each.
- Compare the options you could move to. Look at the hospital network, co-payments, the medical savings allocation and day-to-day benefits, not only the contribution.
- Complete the option change form of your scheme for the 2027 benefit year. Use the 2027 version. Momentum Health members whose employer pays the contribution submit through HR or payroll.
- Make sure the form reaches the scheme before its cut-off. The date that counts is the date the scheme receives the form. The Medihelp 2027 form states that late requests will not be considered.
- Keep written confirmation. Ask the scheme to confirm your 2027 option before 1 January 2027.
Can you switch to a different medical aid scheme, and when?
Yes, at any time of year. Under the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998, open schemes must accept applicants throughout the year. What changes is the underwriting the new scheme may apply, which depends on your cover in the 90 days before you apply.
| Your cover at the date of application | General waiting period | Condition-specific waiting period | Subsection |
|---|---|---|---|
| No cover in the 90 days before applying | Up to three months | Up to 12 months | 29A(1) |
| Continuous cover of up to 24 months, ended less than 90 days before applying | None | Up to 12 months | 29A(2) |
| Continuous cover of more than 24 months, ended less than 90 days before applying | Up to three months | None | 29A(3) |
| Change of option inside the same scheme | None | None | 29A(4) |
Source: Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998, section 29A. Where you had cover in the 90 days before applying, Prescribed Minimum Benefit treatment must still be paid during a waiting period. Our guide to medical aid waiting periods covers the full set of situations and how the 90 days are counted.
A break in cover can also bring a late-joiner penalty. Regulation 13 under the Act allows schemes to add a loading to contributions from age 35 for years without cover. Our late-joiner penalty guide explains how it is calculated.
What happens to your medical savings and Gap Cover when you change?
A positive medical savings balance moves with you when you change option or scheme. If you have spent more than the savings that had accrued to you, you must repay the difference. Our guide to how a medical savings account works explains the rules.
Gap Cover is short-term insurance, not a medical scheme benefit, so a change of option or scheme does not by itself change your Gap Cover. Tell your Gap Cover insurer about the change. If your 2027 option carries higher co-payments or a lower rate of cover for specialist accounts, check that your Gap Cover still fits.
Do you need a broker to change option or switch scheme?
No. Regulation 28A under the Medical Schemes Act provides that a scheme must not prevent a person from applying because they are not using a broker. A broker can help you compare options and check the paperwork before the cut-off. If you end a broker appointment, the scheme stops paying that broker once it receives your notice (Regulation 28(7)). You can read how Curemed is paid.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change my option after the scheme cut-off?
Not for 1 January 2027. If the form reaches the scheme after its cut-off, you stay on your current option for 2027. Some schemes allow a downgrade during the year; see our guide on changing your plan mid-year.
Do I get new waiting periods if I change option within my scheme?
No. Section 29A(4) of the Medical Schemes Act does not allow new waiting periods on a change of option within the same scheme, although a waiting period already running may continue.
When does a new option start?
On 1 January 2027, if the scheme received your request before its cut-off.
What if my scheme has not published its 2027 deadline?
As at 2 November 2026, Discovery Health Medical Scheme had not published a 2027 cut-off. Curemed works to 15 December 2026 for its Discovery clients. Check the Discovery website or ask an Advisor before you rely on a later date.
Sources
- Option change forms for the 2027 benefit year from Bonitas, Fedhealth, CompCare, Momentum Health, Medihelp, Profmed, KeyHealth, Bestmed and Medshield, as compiled with links in the Curemed 2027 tracker, as at 2 November 2026.
- Medshield option change request, 2027 benefit year: MSD-FR-MEM-011.
- Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998, section 29A, Council for Medical Schemes consolidated text.
- Regulations under the Medical Schemes Act: regulation 13 (late-joiner penalties), regulation 28(7) and regulation 28A (brokers).
