About MedicalAidZA

MedicalAidZA is an independent South African information service that helps people make better decisions about medical aid schemes, plans and benefits. We are not a medical scheme, a broker, or an adviser, and we do not sell cover or earn commission.

Medical aid is confusing on purpose - dozens of schemes, hundreds of plans, and fine print on benefits, co-payments, waiting periods and gap cover. We translate that fine print into plain language and give away the templates and tools members actually need.

What we cover

MedicalAidZA is built around three things. The first is the schemes: we profile the major South African medical schemes - Discovery Health, Bonitas, Momentum, GEMS, Bestmed, Fedhealth, Medihelp, Medshield and more - and explain their plan ranges, contributions and benefits. The second is guides and help: how to join, claim, hospital plans, prescribed minimum benefits (PMBs), gap cover, waiting periods and tax credits. The third is free templates and tools: resignation and complaint letters, claim and PMB letters, and comparison checklists.

How we keep it accurate

Scheme details are drawn from schemes' own public materials and the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS). Plans and contributions change every year, so every guide carries a "last updated" date and we ask you to confirm current benefits and contributions with the scheme before you join. Where we describe typical costs, we say so - they are guidance, not quotes.

We deliberately flag the things that catch members out: waiting periods, co-payments, sub-limits, network restrictions and the difference between a hospital plan and comprehensive cover. We would rather a page tell you what to watch out for than push you toward a sale.

Our editorial standards

We write in plain language, we do not use scare tactics, we do not present indicative figures as firm quotes, and we link to primary sources - the CMS - so you can verify what you read and act on your rights. Pages are reviewed and refreshed as plans and prices change, and the date on each page reflects its most recent review.

How we fund this

MedicalAidZA is free for members. We may show advertising to cover our costs. Advertising never changes our editorial guidance or the order in which we list schemes.

Who writes MedicalAidZA

Naledi Mokoena

Editor, MedicalAidZA

Naledi Mokoena leads editorial at MedicalAidZA. She researches medical schemes, plans and benefits from schemes own public materials and South African regulators such as the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS), and writes in plain language for ordinary members.

We link to primary sources where we can - the Council for Medical Schemes for registered schemes, your rights and complaints - so you can verify what you read.