Medshield Medical Scheme will raise contributions by a weighted average of 7.9% in 2027, according to its 2027 benefit options announcement, published by Moneyweb. A weighted average smooths out the fact that different options and age groups pay different rates. For the 125 603 lives whose increase is at the lower end, the rise is between 6% and 7%, which means other members will pay more than the 7.9% average.
The scheme also reported 4.5% membership growth for 2025, with an improved age profile, meaning a larger share of younger members who typically cost less to cover. All of these figures are Medshield’s own.
How 7.9% compares
Medshield’s weighted average increase for 2026 was 7.5%, according to Moneyweb’s comparison of the seven largest open schemes. That range ran from 6.8% at BestMed to 9.9% at Momentum Medical Scheme, with Fedhealth at 9.6%, Bonitas at 8.8%, Medihelp at 8.46% and Discovery Health Medical Scheme at 7.2%. Discovery deferred its increase by three months to April 2026, citing a solvency level of 32.6% against a legal requirement of 25%.
The Council for Medical Schemes said at the time that schemes should limit increases to 3.3% plus reasonable utilisation estimates, because contribution rises were outpacing consumer inflation. It also noted that medical inflation typically runs three to six percentage points above consumer inflation. That guidance related to 2026, but it is the most recent benchmark the regulator set out, and a 7.9% average sits above it before any utilisation allowance.
Benefits and service changes
Medshield says it has extended cover for child dependants from age 21 to 24 and removed or reduced selected co-payments. It has added diabetic retinal AI screening on all options, a Mediclinic Hospital-at-Home service and an oncology treatment co-funding programme, and has strengthened chronic disease management at primary care level.
On service, members can now reach the scheme through WhatsApp, an improved mobile app with emergency assistance features and walk-in centres, of which 19 are new alongside the scheme’s seven existing regional offices, according to Bizcommunity’s version of the announcement. WhatsApp support runs seven days a week, access to mental health care has been improved, and there are dedicated support channels for brokers. Kevin Aron, Medshield’s principal officer, said: “Our focus for 2027 ensures that members can afford to retain private healthcare in a challenging economic environment.”
Sanlam partnership and what it means for employers
According to Business Day, Medshield wants employer-sponsored members to rise from about 40% to about 60% of its principal membership, and the Sanlam agreement is partly a route to Sanlam’s corporate client base. Aron told the paper that “people are looking at what they pay versus what they receive” when choosing cover. By the end of July 2026, Business Day reported, principal membership had grown 8.3% and total beneficiaries 9.4%, to 80,899 principals and about 160,000 members. The scheme held R2.62 billion in accumulated member funds and a solvency ratio of 53%, more than double the regulatory minimum, and about 90% of members who left did so for affordability reasons. Young professionals aged 20 to 37 account for about 70% of new monthly enrolments, the paper reported, which fits the age-profile point in the 2027 announcement.
Medshield has signed a distribution agreement with Sanlam, recognising Medshield as a preferred healthcare partner. Members will progressively gain access to wellness, gap cover, financial planning, insurance, investment, retirement, banking and rewards solutions across the Sanlam group.
For small employers who subsidise medical scheme contributions, the practical point is the size of the increase against payroll. Employers should compare the new benefit limits with what their staff actually use before the 2027 options take effect. Our SME & Entrepreneurship and Regulatory & Policy sections carry more on employer costs, and our guides library covers related topics.
