Medical Aid Price Increases for 2027: What They Mean for Your Budget and Borrowing
Medical aid costs keep rising faster than salaries. Momentum Health has announced an average contribution increase of 7.9% for 2027, and the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) has guided schemes to anchor their increases at 3.8%. For comparison, the industry-wide weighted increase assumption for 2026 was 8.10%, against a projected inflation rate of 3.0%. When premiums and shortfalls climb, some households turn to loans to cope. The tables below show the numbers and your options, and you can compare NCR-registered lenders on saloansonline.co.za if you need to borrow.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Momentum Health average increase, 2027 | 7.9% |
| CMS guideline for 2027 | Schemes should anchor increases at 3.8% |
| Industry-wide weighted increase assumption, 2026 | 8.10%, against projected inflation of 3.0% |
| 2026 increases at two large schemes | Discovery 7.2% and Bonitas 8.8% |
| Healthcare costs vs typical salary increases | Healthcare costs up 9% to 10%, while many employees received 4% to 5% |
Your options when costs rise
| Option | How It Helps | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Review your out-of-pocket spending | Compare what you spent with what your scheme covered to see whether you are on the right option | Do this before the new year’s contributions start |
| Switch to a hospital or “core” plan | Lower monthly premiums | You pay for GP visits, medication, dental and optometry yourself, and there are stricter rules and more penalties |
| Add gap cover | Covers the shortfall between what specialists charge and what your scheme pays in hospital | Subject to policy terms, limits and conditions |
| Borrow only as a last resort | A loan can bridge an urgent shortfall | Interest adds to your costs, so borrow only the shortfall from an NCR-registered lender |
Speak to an accredited healthcare adviser or broker who can explain your benefits, exclusions and options. Figures are based on published announcements and may change. This article is for information only and is not financial advice.
Sources
- Momentum Health announces medical aid price increases for 2027 (BusinessTech)
- CMS contribution increase guidelines for 2027 (BusinessTech)
- Huge problem for medical aid members (BusinessTech)
- Warning over medical aid price increases (BusinessTech)
- Planning your private healthcare funding for 2026 (InsuranceBiz)