A new guide compares options from three popular South African medical aid schemes, focusing on comprehensive, hospital-plus-savings, and hospital-only plans. It uses a family of four as an example to illustrate costs and benefits for 2025. The analysis highlights networks, copayments, and chronic medicine coverage to help consumers choose based on needs and budget.
Finding suitable medical aid can be challenging, but a recent guide from Daily Maverick simplifies the process by examining plans from Discovery, Bonitas, and Momentum. Published on November 10, 2025, the article compares three plan types: comprehensive coverage, hospital plans with medical savings, and hospital-only options. Calculations are based on a family of four—two adults and two children—with no discounts for pensioners and potential late-joiner penalties noted.
Key differences include hospital networks and copayments. Discovery’s Smart, Core, and Delta plans, along with Momentum’s Evolve, rely on networks, while Bonitas’ BonEssential Select avoids a 30% copay within its network. For chronic medicines on the Chronic Disease List, hospital plans cover them via designated service providers (DSPs) if they match the scheme’s formulary; otherwise, copayments range from 20% to 30%. Comprehensive plans extend coverage to more conditions with higher limits.
Copayments for scans like MRI or CT average R2,800 per scan, except for prescribed minimum benefits. The guide recommends Discovery Classic Comprehensive for families with heavy daily use needing broad specialist cover and threshold protection. BonComprehensive offers clear savings structure with strong maternity and child benefits, while Momentum Summit provides flexibility for high specialist needs at a premium. For value, BonEssential suits those adhering to DSPs, and Momentum Evolve appeals to digital-savvy users with virtual GP access. Discovery Core is a basic hospital option pairable with a health-saver.
All 2025 figures are public list prices, subject to Council for Medical Schemes rules. Readers are advised to obtain personalized quotes based on age, income, and network choices. The story originated in the Daily Maverick 168 newspaper.