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Peter Pyburn - Authorised Financial Services Provider fully licensed to provide expert financial services since 1991.
Need Help Deciding on Your 2027 Medical Aid Plan?
Do You know do what other plan options inside of your scheme are available to you?
Are there better plans for you?
The annual plan-change window is a stressful time for medical aid members.
Premiums are increasing, benefits are changing, and the deadlines are in November or December, depending on your scheme.
You don’t have to decide on a strategy all alone.
This page explains what current medical scheme members can do when looking at other options inside their scheme, or at other open schemes, for 1 January 2027.
Everything here is based on published scheme notices, CMS guidance and the Medical Schemes Act.
Where something can’t be confirmed from a public source, it is marked clearly.
I’m an independent medical aid broker and my job is to help you see the real differences in benefits and shortfalls between the plans you’re maybe considering, then give you a clear quote so you can decide with the numbers in front of you.
Trust isn't something you claim. It's something you earn
Peter Pyburn - Authorised Financial Services Provider has been fully licensed to provide expert financial services since 1991.
Based in Sandton, Johannesburg, Gauteng, we specialise in comprehensive financial planning including: Death and Disability Cover, Retirement Planning, Investment Strategies, Medical Aid, Estate Planning.
FSP Licence 2995 and Medical Aid Accreditation BR 7428.
Why Choose Peter Pyburn?
- ✔ FSCA Registered Financial Services Provider
- ✔ Over three decades of hands-on experience
- ✔ Independent advice across multiple schemes like Discovery, Momentum, Bonitas, Fedhealth, Genesis, CompCare and Medshield.
- ✔ Focused on your long-term outcomes
- ✔ No Broker fee as the medical aid pays us.
What can you actually do for 2027?
Two broad options exist:1. Change your plan in your current scheme
Most open schemes let members move to a different plan once a year, with the change taking effect on 1 January.
Upgrades are normally restricted to this window.
Downgrades may be possible during the year on many schemes (Discovery Health Medical Scheme, for example, allows downgrades effective the first of the following month).
Fedhealth allow for plan changes within 30-days of a life-changing event.
When you upgrade within your scheme, there are no new waiting periods. (And any existing waiting period simply continues.)
Sources: bestmedicalaid.co.za “Upgrades your Medical Aid” (reviewed 2026); scheme rules summarised by independent brokers; Medical Schemes Act protections for continuous membership.
2. Move to a different medical aid scheme
You can always join another medical aid at any time you wish.You will need to give notice to your current scheme (often one calendar month), and then ensure the new plan starts when the old one ends, providing continuous cover.
bestmedicalaid.co.za will help you make sure this happens.
Waiting Periods:
A gap of 90 days or more between plans can result in full waiting periods (you are seen as a new member.)
Under Section 29A of the Medical Schemes Act a new scheme may impose:
- a general waiting period of up to 3 months, and/or
- a condition-specific waiting period of up to 12 months for conditions diagnosed or treated in the 12 months before application.
Changing employment can give additional protection under Section 29(3)(c) if the four statutory conditions are met.
Complicated? Contact bestmedicalaid.co.za to guide you through this!
Sources: Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998, Sections 29 and 29A; bestmedicalaid.co.za waiting-period guides updated 2026; CMS guidance.
Stop Overpaying for Medical Aid and Find the Right Cover for Your Needs and Budget.
Key dates and published 2027 increases
Schemes set their own administrative cut-off dates for option changes.Watch for the letter or email from your scheme and act as soon as it arrives.
The date is not 1 January; it is earlier so the scheme can process the change.
BEWARE: Late submissions are routinely refused.
Our advice is to submit your option change request before 30 November 2026.
What the Council of Medical Schemes said about increases
On 31 July 2026 the Council for Medical Schemes issued Circular 20 of 2026 and it recommends that 2027 contribution increases and cost assumptions be anchored at 3.8%, the SARB forecast for average headline inflation in 2027.The figure is guidance, not a hard cap and schemes that want higher increases must submit actuarial justification to the council.
Most schemes announced increases in the region of 7,4% to 9% (subject to final CMS approval)!
These percentages are scheme-wide averages and you need use us to check the rand amount on the specific plan you are on or considering.
Benefits and costs — what is published
Full 2027 benefit schedules and contribution tables are released scheme by scheme and remain subject to CMS confirmation.
Medical aid schemes are updating their contributions and benefits for 2027.
Here is a simple overview of the main changes announced for Bonitas, Discovery Health, Momentum Medical Scheme and Fedhealth.
Compare the changes carefully before deciding whether to stay on your current option or move to another plan.
Please contact bestmedicalaid.co.za for updated plan information.
Medical Aid Increases and Benefit Changes for 2027
Medical aid schemes are updating their contributions and benefits for 2027. Here is an overview of the main changes announced for Bonitas, Discovery Health, Momentum Medical Scheme and Fedhealth.
Compare the changes carefully before deciding whether to stay on your current option or move to another plan.
Average contribution increase: 8.7%
Bonitas is focusing on early detection, preventive care and better health outcomes in 2027.
You can expect changes to wellness benefits, digital services and selected day-to-day healthcare benefits.
Key changes for 2027
- Contribution increases: An average increase of 8.7% across all plans, effective 1 January 2027.
- Affordable plans with premiums starting from R1,368 per month
- Child dependant rates up to age 24
- BonCap day-to-day benefits of up to R12,000 for out-of-hospital claims, subject to the applicable benefit rules.
- Enhanced benefits for BonPrime and Standard options.
- The Standard option now uses a specified private hospital network and requires members to nominate up to two GPs.
More support for your health
- A wellness platform (B-Value) that offers guidance, tools and rewards linked to fitness, nutrition, financial wellbeing and stress management.
- Be Better benefits offers additional support for maternity and child health, men's health, women's health, contraception and elderly care.
- Eligible members identified as "potentially at risk" during a wellness screening get a funded GP consultation within 14 days.
- Basic health screenings through a wider pharmacy network, including Clicks, Dis-Chem and Medirite.
- Emergency dental cover introduced on selected options.
- Free online hearing screenings
- Stronger preventive and condition-support programmes including Live Lean, Ocular Health, expanded mental-health services, and a new Back, Neck, Shoulder and Knee Rehabilitation programme.
Bonitas continues to simplify healthcare through the Bonitas Member App, Member Zone and WhatsApp support.
Further digital initiatives, including the Medical Aid Made Easy podcast hosted by Dr B, are planned for 2027.
If you are considering changing your option for 2027, you should submit your forms by 30 November 2026.
Contribution increases: 7.4% to 8.9%
Discovery Health is introducing changes to contributions, day-to-day benefits, personalised healthcare and preventive care for 2027.
Contribution increases by option
| Discovery Health option | 2027 increase |
|---|---|
| Active Smart | 7.4% |
| Smart, excluding Active Smart | 7.9% |
| Smart Saver | 7.9% |
| Core, excluding Coastal Core | 7.9% |
| Coastal Core | 8.9% |
| KeyCare | 8.9% |
| Priority | 8.9% |
| Comprehensive, including Classic Smart Comprehensive | 8.9% |
| Executive | 8.9% |
This is one of the lowest premiums in the market for families and at R500 per child dependant, the new plan offers the most affordable child dependant contribution in the open medical scheme market.
You can access up to R8,000 in day-to-day healthcare benefits through the Personal Health Fund, together with maternity and mental health benefits.
Personal Health Pathways will be enhanced to provide more personalised health information and recommendations.members will have access to Personal Health Insights, bringing together information such as medical history, claims, screening results and lifestyle data.
Members may earn additional day-to-day funding of up to R3,000 per adult and R1,500 per child by completing eligible health-tracking challenges and screening goals, subject to programme rules.
Richer Vitality-style rewards involving flights, fuel and Discovery Miles, plus expanded healthcare, wellness and investment-related offerings.
These are Discovery Limited/product enhancements rather than necessarily medical-scheme benefits.
Other important changes
- Heart health: Additional support for cardiovascular risk management, including earlier access to statin therapy, additional cholesterol testing, specialist consultations and help with quitting smoking, subject to eligibility.
- Chronic conditions: Expanded virtual care for members with complex chronic conditions.
- Knee care: Additional support for conservative treatment of knee conditions.
- Oncology Protector: Additional cover for certain direct and indirect cancer-related expenses.
- Day-to-day Protector: Additional protection against eligible, unexpected day-to-day medical expenses.
- Improved digital services: The Discovery Health app supports services such as symptom checking, virtual consultations, medicine delivery and hospital authorisations.
Average contribution increase: 7.9%
Momentum Medical Scheme is focusing on access to primary healthcare, digital services and rewards for healthier living.
Key changes for 2027- More GP consultations: The Evolve option will have access to additional GP consultations
- Virtual healthcare: Virtual GP consultations remain available on entry-level options such as Evolve and Ingwe, helping members access care conveniently.
- Improved digital services: Enhanced app features and easier access to healthcare information.
TIP: Use bestmedicalaid.co.za help you check hospital access and network rules before choosing a plan.
Get more from Multiply
Momentum's Multiply wellness programme rewards members for participating in healthy activities and making healthier lifestyle choices.
In 2027, members can look forward to:
- More ways to earn rewards through physical activity, including lower-intensity workouts.
- Discounted nutrition and sleep coaching.
- Improved grocery, health and self-care rewards.
- Rewards at Clicks and Dis-Chem.
- Discounts on entertainment and travel, including selected Nu Metro offers and flights with participating airlines.
- New weekly rewards and additional partners.
Published average weighted increase: 8.9% for options covering approximately 60% of members.
Fedhealth's 2027 contribution changes vary across its options. The 8.9% average does not apply to every member. Some options have increases outside this average, so you should check the contribution for your specific plan.
Key benefit changes- 2 new plans offering unlimited any hospital and affordable network hospital cover.
sureFED Plus has an annual amount and sureFED Essential has set benefit limits.
(Confirm the specific benefits of each option with us, before choosing.) - D2D+ benefits increased on eligible options. Complete the required health-related activities and qualify for up to R4,680 in additional day-to-day benefits.
- Psychiatric hospitalisation limits increased on selected options, and the mental health programme expands to additional plans.
- A new benefit for macular degeneration treatment is introduced on flexiFED 4, with funding of up to R30,000.
- Diabetes support with 2 funded Diabetes Educator consultations per year. Pharmacy access is also expanding.
- A new Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Device Benefit is being introduced for eligible members with Type 1 diabetes on specified plans.
- RSV vaccination on flexiFED 4, maxima EXEC and maxima PLUS.
- The Alignd Palliative Care Programme is expanding to all options.
Fedhealth's day-to-day benefits differ by plan. Some options provide a defined set of benefits, while others have annual funding amounts or specific limits.
How Should You Choose Your Medical Aid Option for 2027?
A lower monthly contribution does not always mean better value.
Before changing your option, consider the following:
- Your monthly budget: Can you comfortably afford the new contribution?
- Hospital cover: Are your preferred hospitals included in the plan's network?
- Day-to-day benefits: How much cover do you have for GP visits, medicine, dentistry and other everyday healthcare needs?
- Chronic conditions: Does the option provide suitable cover for your ongoing treatment?
- Your family's needs: Consider maternity benefits, children's healthcare and other benefits you may need during the year.
- Network restrictions: Check whether you need to use specific doctors, hospitals or pharmacies to receive full benefits.
The best medical aid option is the one that balances affordability with the healthcare cover you and your family are likely to need.
Are you paying for benefits you don't need?
- Do you have a threshold safety net with your plan?
- Do you know how it works?
- Do you ever use it, or are you paying (a lot) for a benefit you don't need?
- Do you have family members who have higher healthcare needs?
If so, then it may be better for them to have their own plans in order to stop limits being reached and having to pay for other members' needs yourself. - Do you have children who are full-time students?
If you do, there are excellent student plans to investigate.
What you should do now:
Find your 2027 premium and add in any expected, future medical costs.If that total is uncomfortable, consider alternative plans within your scheme.
Please note, a lower cost plan carries benefit trade offs and conditions, which we explain in our article on changing a medical aid plan.
Appoint us as your adviser (no charge) and request a plan comparison.
Look out for your year-end plan options, member letter from your medical aid and act on it immediately as there is a time period for change requests.
If you miss the cut-off date contact us soonest, as we may still be able to help you process an option change request.
Need Help Choosing Your Medical Aid for 2027?
Comparing medical aid options can be confusing, especially when premium increases and benefits change at the same time.Contact me for personalised advice on comparing your options, understanding the restrictions and finding cover that suits your needs and budget.
All at NO CHARGE!
Concerns?
Please use this form and we will get back to you.
Private healthcare providers can charge up to 500% of medical scheme rates.
Medical aids add procedure co-payments as well.
These are significant costs you must consider.
A Gap or Top-Up plan is a separate insurance that covers most in-hospital claim shortfalls and any co-payments.
It is a vital safety net, ensuring you have enough to cover medical treatments, without having to pay for unexpected costs.
Joining a hospital plan with Gap Cover is the most affordable way for families to protect against rising costs in 2026.
Protect yourself by joining Zest's GAP/Top-up insurance plan.
Specialised Dental treatments can be extremely expensive!
The costs of braces, root canal, implants and so on, can run into thousands of rand.
Most treatments are done out-of-hospital, and are paid from your savings.
That can result in less money available for other medical needs and family limits being used on one member only!
Dental treatment is something we all need and it is vital you consider the Best Dental Insurance Plan
OR Most Affordable Dental Plan in South Africa.
No Medical Aid or have a Hospital Plan only?
This plan will help you meet the high costs of both normal and specialised dentistry!
083 655 2164You must consult the schemes/company product brochures and rules for comprehensive benefit descriptions.
We will offer you the best help at no cost!
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Council for Medical Schemes
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Important Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or healthcare advice.
Medical aid benefits are subject to change.
Please consult the medical aid brochure and speak to bestmedicalaid.co.za before making any decisions.
South African rights reserved.
By Peter Pyburn | CMS Broker Accreditation: BR 7428 | FSP Licence: #2995 (Licensed since 1991)
Regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS)
This webpage is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or medical advice.
Contact bestmedicalaid.co.za for qualified for advice specific to your situation.