The Top 5 Best Medical Aid Schemes in South Africa

When it comes to health, most of us want peace of mind, not to panic about costs. That is why so many people are searching for the best medical aid schemes in South Africa, especially when private healthcare bills can add up faster than a month-end braai.

Medical aid schemes help bridge the gap between affordability and quality care, giving you access to doctors, hospitals and preventative cover before small issues turn into bigger problems. The right plan does more than cover emergencies. It helps you stay healthy in the first place.

So how do you choose? We looked at several leading providers to compile a list of five medical aid schemes in South Africa that consistently stand out from the crowd.

How To Find the Best Medical Aid Scheme for Your Needs

There are a bunch of different points to consider when trying to figure out which medical aid is the best in South Africa.

For this article, we chose to look at schemes not just according to their size (although that was a factor, too), but gauge how financially stable they are in terms of their ability to pay back debts and pay out claims. We also looked at another all-important figure: their average customer rating, which helps us gauge how their customers feel about them.

Methodology (how we assessed “best” schemes)

We used:

1. Market share: Market share (based on principal members)
2. Global Credit Rating (GCR).
3. Solvency ratio
4. Average customer rating (Medicalaid.com)

Below are the criteria we used to decide which medical aid ranks best in South Africa: 

Note: When picking the best medical aid for you, weigh up the cost, coverage, benefits, and reputation for customer service and paying out claims. Check out our piece. What to look for when Comparing Medical Aids for more. 

Market share

Medical aid schemes with a large market share typically have more members, which helps spread risk across a wider group of people. This can work in your favour because bigger schemes often have stronger negotiating power with hospitals, specialists, and service providers. In practical terms, that can mean better rates, wider hospital networks, and fewer nasty surprises when a claim is submitted.

That said, size alone does not guarantee good service, which is why we looked beyond just the numbers.

Global Credit Rating (GCR)

A Global Credit Rating (GCR) gives insight into a scheme’s financial stability and its ability to meet its financial obligations. Ratings range from AAA, which indicates excellent credit quality, down to CCC, which signals higher risk.

A strong GCR suggests that a medical aid scheme is well managed and more likely to pay claims reliably, even during tough economic times. For members, this translates to confidence that the scheme will still be standing when you need it most.

Solvency ratio

The solvency ratio shows whether a medical aid scheme has enough assets to cover its long-term liabilities and future claims. In South Africa, medical aid schemes are required by law to maintain a minimum solvency level, but some go well above this threshold.

A higher solvency ratio is a good sign. It means the scheme has a financial buffer in place and is better positioned to handle large claims, unexpected costs, or sudden increases in healthcare demand.

Customer rating

Finally, we looked at what the members themselves had to say. Online reviews, surveys, and customer ratings give valuable insight into day-to-day experiences, from claims processing to customer service and communication.

While no scheme gets it right 100% of the time, consistently positive feedback can be a strong indicator of how a medical aid treats its members when it really counts.

Note: When picking the best medical aid for you, weigh up the cost, coverage, benefits, and reputation for customer service and paying out claims. Check out our piece. What to look for when Comparing Medical Aids for more.

South Africa’s Five Best Medical Aid Schemes

The below medical aid schemes did well based on the criteria we mentioned above. Does this mean that other medical aids aren’t good? No, different medical aids might be better suited to different needs depending on the plans they offer.

*At the time of writing, January 2026

**Market share was calculated by their total number of principal members.

***Sources: medicalaid.com, cover.co.za, businessday.co.za, moonstone.co.za

Bestmed

Even though it is not one of the biggest schemes in the market, Bestmed consistently punches above its weight, especially when it comes to member satisfaction. It regularly scores higher than the industry average for customer experience, which is a big reason it earns a place on our list of the best medical aid schemes in South Africa.

In 2025, Bestmed was recognised with two Titanium Awards for Service to Membership and Excellence in Creating Access to Quality Healthcare. These awards speak to what many members already know: this is a scheme that puts people first and works hard to make quality healthcare more accessible.

Bestmed also holds an AA credit rating, which points to strong financial stability. On top of that, it offers a range of flexible and affordable options, including hospital plans and more comprehensive medical aid plans that can be tailored to different life stages and budgets.

• Premiums between R1,736 - R12,572 a month
• 14 medical aid plans

Bonitas Medical Fund

Bonitas is considered one of the bigger medical schemes in the country, and it’s definitely one of the most solid choices on the market. As of the end of 2024, Bonitas had about 731,576 total beneficiaries, making it the second-largest open scheme in the country. It has retained an AA+ credit rating and a strong financial position with a solvency ratio comfortably above the minimum requirement, showing it has the long-term strength to pay claims when members need care most.

Bonitas also continues to impress in the member experience department, winning the Ask Afrika Orange Index™ award for Medical Scheme customer experience in 2025. A respected benchmark based on extensive independent research across brands in South Africa.

On the benefits side, Bonitas offers a broad range of plans designed for different needs and life stages, from entry-level cover for young adults to more comprehensive options for families and retirees. Its managed care programmes are a particular strength, with dedicated support for chronic conditions such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and mental health. .

Other perks many members appreciate include family-friendly features (like free cover for a fourth and subsequent children) and access to a wide GP and specialist network under negotiated rates, which can stretch your benefits further.

• Premiums between R1,275 and R12,509 a month
• 14 medical aid plans

Discovery Health Medical Scheme

When it comes to medical aids in South Africa, Discovery Health is hard to ignore. Holding around 56% of the open medical scheme market, it’s the largest scheme in the country by a significant margin, with millions of members relying on it for day-to-day care and major medical events alike..

What sets Discovery apart is the breadth of cover it offers. From robust comprehensive medical plans and hospital-only options to more flexible savings-plus plans, there’s a structure for many different needs and budgets. Add to that the well-known Discovery Vitality programme, which rewards members for healthy living (think rewards for gym visits, steps and preventative health checks), and you get a package that blends healthcare with incentives to stay well..

On the financial front, Discovery Health maintains a very strong AA+ credit rating, reflecting solid financial management and a dependable ability to meet claims. It’s worth noting that its solvency ratio remains within regulatory requirements and has historically been stable even through economic pressures..

Discovery also regularly scores well in member satisfaction surveys, with customer ratings commonly around 4.4 out of 5. Many members appreciate the combination of comprehensive benefits, extensive healthcare provider networks, and the added value that Vitality brings to everyday health and wellbeing.

• Premiums between R1,184- and R11,430 a month
• 25 medical aid plans

Medshield Medical Scheme

Medshield might be one of the older players in the South African medical aid landscape (established in 1968), but it still delivers solid performance where it matters. One of the key reasons it makes our list is its strong solvency ratio, well above the industry minimum. Again, this is an indicator that the scheme is financially sound and well-placed to pay claims when members need care most.

Medshield’s membership base is smaller than some of the major schemes, with a more mature age profile and a notable proportion of pensioner members. That mix can work in its favour when it comes to stability and long-term planning, especially if you’re comparing schemes based on financial resilience rather than market size.

While Medshield may not have the broadest reach, its financial footing and decades of experience make it a reliable choice for many South Africans. Particularly those who value steady performance and a benefits structure that supports long-term healthcare needs.

• Premiums between R1,821 and R9,489 a month
• 11 medical aid plans

Momentum Health

Momentum Medical Scheme is one of South Africa’s well-established medical aid options, known for offering flexible plans and value-added wellness benefits that appeal to a wide range of members. It sits comfortably among the larger, open medical schemes in the country and is often recognised for its balance of affordability, choice, and innovative perks.

One of the defining features of Momentum’s offering is its Multiply rewards and wellness programme. Members can earn HealthReturns and partner rewards from day one by taking steps to improve their health and wellbeing. From fitness goals to preventative care activities. In many cases, those rewards can even help reduce overall healthcare costs or contribute back into your medical aid benefits.

Momentum Medical Scheme also stood out in 2025 when it won the News24 Business Award for Scheme of the Year. A recognition based on feedback from real members and industry insight, reflecting both quality and customer satisfaction.

• Premiums between R645 - R16,469 a month
• 6 medical aid plans

Why Do You Need Medical Aid?

South Africa’s public healthcare system has its challenges:

• Long waiting times
• Limited resources
• Overworked staff

This can sometimes mean care isn’t as quick or personalised as you’d like. Private healthcare, on the other hand, offers:

• Shorter waiting times
• More personalised care
• Access to a broader range of specialists

…but it can also cost an arm and a leg if you’re paying out of pocket. That’s where medical aid comes in. Whether it’s a basic hospital plan or a more advanced medical aid package.

Chronic Conditions Are Growing

More than 11 million South Africans live with chronic conditions like:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Arthritis
• HIV

…and that number keeps growing. Take diabetes as an example: prevalence rose from 4.5% in 2010 to 7.2% in 2025. Millions of people now need ongoing medication. Without medical aid, accessing treatment can be a huge financial and logistical burden.

Need Something to Bridge the Gap? Gap Cover is Imperative

Even with the best medical aid scheme, there can still be shortfalls. Many specialists and private hospitals charge more than the medical aid tariff, sometimes up to 300% or more. That difference is known as a medical shortfall, and it’s often paid straight out of your pocket.

This is where gap cover becomes essential. Gap cover is an add-on product designed to cover the difference between what your medical aid pays and what private healthcare providers actually charge. It can also help with specific out-of-pocket costs like co-payments, sub-limits on procedures, and certain casualty or hospital-related expenses.

The good news is that you don’t have to navigate this alone. Most of South Africa’s leading medical aid schemes either:

• Offer their own gap cover option, or
• Partner with trusted gap cover providers to give members access to additional protection

This means you can often combine your medical aid with gap cover to create more comprehensive protection, especially if you’re on a hospital plan or a lower-cost medical aid option.

If you want peace of mind knowing that a medical emergency won’t leave you with unexpected bills, Gap Cover is well worth considering.

Compare gap cover options quickly and easily on Hippo and find a plan that works alongside your preferred medical aid.

Find The Best Medical Aid For You in 2 Minutes

The right medical aid scheme will give you:

• Access to quality care when you need it
• Support in managing chronic illnesses
• A financial safety net so healthcare doesn’t break the bank

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or medical advice.