Medical Aid Increases 2027: Every Major Scheme Compared

By Finance Guide Editors Updated October 2026 · 7 sources · 4 min read

Prices and facts checked 15 October 2026. We don't accept payment for rankings.

Short answer: the big open medical schemes have announced average increases of 7.35% to 8.7% for 2027. That's about double the 3.8% the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) recommended. Bonitas is highest at an 8.7% average and Bestmed lowest at 7.35%. Increases differ by plan, so your own increase may be higher or lower than your scheme's average (Moonstone; BusinessTech).

2027 increases by scheme

Sources: Bonitas, Medihelp and the comparison from Moonstone; Discovery from BusinessTech; Momentum from BusinessTech; Medshield from Medshield's release; Bestmed from Moonstone. All checked 15 October 2026.

Discovery Health: increases by plan

Discovery's increases take effect on 1 January 2027, subject to CMS approval. Discovery says two in three members will see an increase below 8% (BusinessTech).

Discovery is also launching a new Active Core hospital plan (subject to approval), priced at R1,700 for a main member, R1,550 per adult dependant and R500 per child.

Bonitas: increases by plan

Source: Moonstone, updated 9 October 2026.

Why increases are double the CMS guideline

The CMS recommended that schemes anchor 2027 increases at 3.8%, in line with the Reserve Bank's inflation forecast. But that anchor excludes "reasonable utilisation", meaning members using more healthcare, and schemes can add that on top (BusinessTech).

The same thing happened last year. The CMS suggested 3.3% for 2026, but the industry's weighted contribution increase was 8.10%, according to CMS Circular 21 of 2026. The Board of Healthcare Funders says guidance alone can't hold increases down without action on costs, such as collective tariff negotiation with healthcare providers.

What it means in rand

A percentage increase is easier to judge as a monthly amount:

Simple arithmetic on the averages. Your plan's increase may differ.

The tax credit helps a little

You can't deduct medical aid contributions, but SARS gives a medical scheme fees tax credit that reduces your tax. For 2026/27 it's R376 a month for each of the first two people covered and R254 a month for each additional dependant (National Treasury Budget 2026 tax guide). The credit is a fixed amount, so it doesn't rise when your contributions do.

What to do now

1. Find your exact 2027 contribution. Look up your option and family size in your scheme's 2027 contribution table. Don't rely on the average.
2. Check what's changing. Some schemes are adding benefits. For example, Medshield is extending child dependant cover to age 24 and removing some co-payments (Medshield).
3. Compare a downgrade carefully. A cheaper option can save hundreds a month, but check the hospital network, chronic medicine cover and co-payments, and how they'd work for your family's actual use.
4. Look at gap cover. If you move to a hospital or network plan, gap cover can help with specialist shortfalls. Read what it excludes.
5. Note your scheme's deadline for changing options for 2027. Changes usually only take effect at the start of the year.

FAQ

How much are medical aid increases for 2027?

Between 7.35% and 8.7% on average for the large open schemes that have announced: Bestmed 7.35%, Medihelp 7.5%, Momentum 7.9%, Medshield 7.9%, Discovery 8.2% and Bonitas 8.7%.

What is Discovery's medical aid increase for 2027?

A weighted average of 8.2%, ranging from 7.4% (Active Smart) to 8.9% (KeyCare, Priority, Comprehensive and Executive), from 1 January 2027, subject to CMS approval.

What did the CMS recommend for 2027?

An anchor of 3.8%, in line with expected inflation, but excluding an allowance for increased healthcare use. Schemes can justify higher increases.

Has GEMS announced its 2027 increase?

We couldn't find a confirmed GEMS 2027 figure when we checked on 15 October 2026. We'll update this guide when it's published.

Can I change my medical aid plan for 2027?

Most schemes let you change options once a year, before the new year starts. Check your scheme's cut-off date and compare benefits, not just price.

Is there a tax benefit for medical aid?

Yes. The medical scheme fees tax credit for 2026/27 is R376 a month for each of the first two people covered and R254 for each additional dependant.

Changelog: 15 Oct 2026, first published. GEMS had not announced its 2027 increase when we checked.