Rising costs prompt members to weigh medical scheme options
Downgrading to a lower plan may appear to be a cost-saving strategy, but it frequently results in increased out-of-pocket expenses.
Downgrading to a lower plan may appear to be a cost-saving strategy, but it frequently results in increased out-of-pocket expenses.
Bestmed states pending rules for low-cost benefit options have further complicated efforts to reduce costs for members.
Medical inflation outpaces CPI because of unique pressures such as the rising costs of technology, chronic diseases, and private healthcare pricing.
Contribution increases in 2025 are exceeding CPI, with some medical schemes aiming to rebuild reserves and ensure long-term sustainability.
Bestmed says that rand for rand its benefit options will remain competitive despite the proposed average increase of 12.75%.
Judgment is ‘forthcoming’ in the contempt of court case against the Road Accident Fund and its CEO, as Discovery Health seeks the enforcement of court rulings regarding unpaid claims.
With major medical schemes reporting average contribution hikes exceeding 9%, members face tough choices in an increasingly unaffordable healthcare landscape.
Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s contribution adjustments will be more evenly distributed across its members, highlighting the widespread effects of increasing medical inflation on contribution rates.