Another tough year as medical aid hikes outpace inflation

South Africans face another tough year of increasing medical aid scheme costs in 2026.

- 

Weighted average premium increases range between 6% and 9%, depending on the benefit option, despite the Council for Medical Schemes recommending that increases be limited to inflation (3.3%) plus reasonable use.

Across the country's leading open medical schemes, the announced increases are 7.2% for Discovery, 8.8% for Bonitas, 8.46% for Medihelp and 6.8% for Bestmed (6.8%).

While these increases are marginally lower than the increases for 2025, the combined effect of electricity hikes, fuel inflation and increasing food costs mean that household budgets are stretched to breaking point.

Martin Rimmer, CEO of Sirago Underwriting Managers, says for many households the cost of medical scheme membership consumes a significant portion of monthly disposable income, yet it remains a nonnegotiable given the state of the public healthcare system.

"Even for those with employer subsidies, affordability has become a growing challenge as both employees and employers face tightening economic conditions."