Considering a projected inflation rate of 3.3% in 2026, the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) recommended a guideline increase in medical scheme contributions of 5.4%-6.8%.
However, most schemes have exceeded this. – Financial Mail (30 October 2025)
Momentum Health announced the highest weighted-average increase of 9.9%; Fedhealth contributions will increase to 9.6%; Bonitas: 8.8%; Medihelp: 8.46%; Medshield: 7.5%; Discovery Health: 7.2% (delayed until April 2026); Bestmed: 6.8%; Profmed: 6.75%; and Genesis: 4.7%.
Key factors resulting in the high increase of premiums are: ageing membership, rising chronic disease, high-cost technology and skills, unregulated provider cost, waste and over-servicing, regulatory failures and looming threats.
Two of these threats are: Government's plan to divert funds into a centralised NHI Fund and the removal of medical scheme tax credits.