Medical scheme options for 2026

Expect to pay more for health plans next year, with increases again above inflation. By Neesa Moodley

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It's that time of the year when medical schemes are announcing their contribution increases for the next year and vying for your membership.

Most increases amount to just under 10%. However, you need to consider not just the medical scheme, but the actual cover you are accepting for what you are paying.

It is important to bear in mind that these are the average weighted contribution increases, so the actual increase in your contribution may be higher or lower, depending on which scheme option you choose.

Discovery Health Medical Scheme is the only scheme so far to have announced a deferred contribution increase, which will kick in from 1 April next year. Discovery is able to do this because of a strong solvency position, which is projected to remain well above 30%.

Dr Ron Whelan, chief executive of Discovery Health, the administrator of the Discovery Health Medical Scheme, says this strategic use of excess solvency enables the scheme to offer members "meaningful financial relief without compromising its long-term sustainability".

The Discovery Health Medical Scheme has leveraged its robust solvency position previously by deferring the contribution increase during the Covid-19 pandemic three times - in 2021, 2022 and 2023.