{"id":447744,"date":"2020-11-11T17:00:15","date_gmt":"2020-11-11T15:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=447744"},"modified":"2020-11-11T15:27:24","modified_gmt":"2020-11-11T13:27:24","slug":"how-much-you-will-be-paying-for-medical-aid-in-2021-discovery-vs-bonitas-vs-momentum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/447744\/how-much-you-will-be-paying-for-medical-aid-in-2021-discovery-vs-bonitas-vs-momentum\/","title":{"rendered":"How much you will be paying for medical aid in 2021: Discovery vs Bonitas vs Momentum"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Africa’s three biggest open medical schemes have published their full pricing for plans in 2021, reflecting the industry’s call to freeze prices or keep increases capped at low rates due to wider economic troubles.<\/p>\n

In a year where consumers faced unprecedented financial pressure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, medical aid members will be relieved to see their plan costs remain around the same levels as 2020.<\/p>\n

The country’s biggest scheme by membership, Discovery Health, has opted to freeze prices until halfway through 2021 when a viable vaccine for Covid-19 is expected to be available.<\/p>\n

The second and third largest schemes – Bonitas and Momentum Health, respectively – will implement increases significantly lower than the industry standard of CPI+4%.<\/p>\n

Of the big three, however, only Discovery and Momentum have heeded the call of the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) earlier this year<\/a>\u00a0for companies to implement a freeze where possible. If not possible, the CMS recommended that increases be capped at 3.9%, in line with inflation.<\/p>\n

Discovery managed a freeze, in line with the CMS recommendation, while Momentum managed to keep most – not all – increases capped at 3.9%.<\/p>\n

Bonitas, meanwhile, managed to freeze fees on one plan, with the rest seeing increases between 4% and 7%, with a weighted average increase of 4.6%.<\/p>\n

The CMS said that despite the cost savings accrued to most schemes due to a noticeable decrease in utilisation during lockdown, there was a risk that the savings might be wiped out due to the Covid-19 peak in the country as well as because of pent-up demand.<\/p>\n

“Accordingly, certain schemes may need to increase their contribution to mitigate against the risk of high-cost claims and subsequent reserves erosion,” it said.<\/p>\n

“In cases where schemes are unable to freeze their contribution increase for 2021, the CMS recommends that schemes should limit their increases to 3.9% in line with CPI.”<\/p>\n

“It is the CMS\u2019 view that above inflationary contribution increases, are simply above the budget line for most consumers and are therefore unaffordable for the majority of members of medical schemes.<\/p>\n

“Similarly, notwithstanding the unique industry-specific cost-push factors such as the impact of the weaker rand exchange rate, the burden of diseases etc., it remains the position of the CMS that the increase in hospital fees and therapeutic appliances should also be limited to 3.9% in line with inflation,” it said.<\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Discovery<\/strong><\/p>\n

Following the CMS’s recommendations, Discovery has opted to freeze its plan prices for the first six months of 2021, with increases only expected thereafter. The group said price increases for the second half of the year will be capped at CPI+2%.<\/p>\n

This means that prices – for now – will be the same as they were in 2020:<\/p>\n

Executive<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n
Plan<\/th>\n2020<\/th>\n2021<\/th>\n% change<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Executive Plan<\/td>\nR7 257<\/td>\nR7 257<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Comprehensive<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Plan<\/th>\n2020<\/th>\n2021<\/th>\n% change<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Classic Comprehensive<\/td>\nR5 954<\/td>\nR5 954<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Classic Delta Comprehensive<\/td>\nR5 362<\/td>\nR5 362<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Essential Comprehensive<\/td>\nR5 003<\/td>\nR5 003<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Essential Delta Comprehensive<\/td>\nR4 507<\/td>\nR4 507<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Classic Smart Comprehensive<\/td>\nR4 327<\/td>\nR4 327<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Priority<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n\n
Plan<\/th>\n2020<\/th>\n2021<\/th>\n% change<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Classic Priority<\/td>\nR3 814<\/td>\nR3 814<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Essential Priority<\/td>\nR3 278<\/td>\nR3 278<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Saver<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Plan<\/th>\n2020<\/th>\n2021<\/th>\n% change<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Classic Saver<\/td>\nR3 290<\/td>\nR3 290<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Classic Delta Saver<\/td>\nR2 628<\/td>\nR2 628<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Essential Saver<\/td>\nR2 615<\/td>\nR2 615<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Essential Delta Saver<\/td>\nR2 085<\/td>\nR2 085<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coastal Saver<\/td>\nR2 608<\/td>\nR2 608<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Smart<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n\n
Plan<\/th>\n2020<\/th>\n2021<\/th>\n% change<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Classic Smart<\/td>\nR1 954<\/td>\nR1 954<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Essential Smart<\/td>\nR1 400<\/td>\nR1 400<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Core<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Plan<\/th>\n2020<\/th>\n2021<\/th>\n% change<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Classic Core<\/td>\nR2 449<\/td>\nR2 449<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Classic Delta Core<\/td>\nR1 960<\/td>\nR1 960<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Essential Core<\/td>\nR2 104<\/td>\nR2 104<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Essential Delta Core<\/td>\nR1 681<\/td>\nR1 681<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coastal Core<\/td>\nR1 946<\/td>\nR1 946<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

KeyCare<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Plan<\/th>\n2020<\/th>\n2021<\/th>\n% change<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
KeyCare Plus 0 – 8 550<\/td>\nR1 207<\/td>\nR1 207<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KeyCare Plus 8 551 – 13 800<\/td>\nR1 659<\/td>\nR1 659<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KeyCare Plus 13 801+<\/td>\nR2 450<\/td>\nR2 450<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KeyCare Core 0 – 8 550<\/td>\nR949<\/td>\nR949<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KeyCare Core 8 551 – 13 800<\/td>\nR1 183<\/td>\nR1 183<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KeyCare Core 13 801+<\/td>\nR1 809<\/td>\nR1 809<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KeyCare Start 0 – 9 150<\/td>\nR914<\/td>\nR914<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KeyCare Start 9 151 – 13 800<\/td>\nR1 538<\/td>\nR1 538<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KeyCare Start 13 801+<\/td>\nR2 394<\/td>\nR2 394<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Bonitas<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Africa\u2019s second-largest open medical aid scheme, Bonitas, announced a weighted increase of 4.6% across all its plans for 2021 \u2013 ranging between 0% and 7%.<\/p>\n

The only plan to see a fee freeze is the BonFit Select plan, while the more comprehensive plans see the largest increases.<\/p>\n

The group has also introduced two new plans for 2021.\u00a0 The plans: BonStart and BonStart Plus, are designed for economically active singles or couples, living in the larger metros.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Plan<\/th>\n2020<\/th>\n2021<\/th>\n% change<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
BonComprehensive<\/td>\nR7 207<\/td>\nR7 715<\/td>\n7.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BonClassic<\/td>\nR5 003<\/td>\nR5 330<\/td>\n6.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BonComplete<\/td>\nR4 009<\/td>\nR4 291<\/td>\n7.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BonSave<\/td>\nR2 723<\/td>\nR2 847<\/td>\n4.6%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BonFit Select<\/td>\nR2 152<\/td>\nR2 152<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard<\/td>\nR3 888<\/td>\nR4 044<\/td>\n4.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard Select<\/td>\nR3 368<\/td>\nR3 589<\/td>\n6.6%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Primary<\/td>\nR2 429<\/td>\nR2 537<\/td>\n4.4%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Primary Select<\/td>\nR2 065<\/td>\nR2 180<\/td>\n5.6%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hospital Standard<\/td>\nR2 284<\/td>\nR2 434<\/td>\n6.6%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BonEssential<\/td>\nR1 877<\/td>\nR1 962<\/td>\n4.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BonEssential Select<\/td>\nR1 602<\/td>\nR1 675<\/td>\n4.6%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BonCap 0-8520<\/td>\nR1 159<\/td>\nR1 212<\/td>\n4.6%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BonCap 8521-13840<\/td>\nR1 372<\/td>\nR1 434<\/td>\n4.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BonCap 13841-18900<\/td>\nR2 210<\/td>\nR2 311<\/td>\n4.6%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
BonCap 18901+<\/td>\nR2 714<\/td>\nR2 837<\/td>\n4.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NEW<\/strong> BonStart<\/td>\n–<\/td>\nR1 452<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NEW<\/strong> BonStart Plus<\/td>\n–<\/td>\nR1 731<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Momentum<\/strong><\/p>\n

Momentum Medical Scheme is the third-largest open medical aid scheme in South Africa and announced a weighted average annual contribution increase of 3.9% for 2021.<\/p>\n

The figures below are the starting prices, with more variety offered in each plan grouping.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Plan<\/th>\n2020<\/th>\n2021<\/th>\n% change<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Evolve<\/td>\nR1 294<\/td>\nR1 345<\/td>\n3.9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Custom<\/td>\nR1 642<\/td>\nR1 706<\/td>\n3.9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Incentive<\/td>\nR2 141<\/td>\nR2 224<\/td>\n3.9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Extender<\/td>\nR5 033<\/td>\nR5 231<\/td>\n3.9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Summit<\/td>\nR10 187<\/td>\nR10 642<\/td>\n4.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ingwe<\/td>\nR432<\/td>\nR455<\/td>\n5.3%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Read: Best and worst major medical aids in South Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

South Africa’s three biggest open medical schemes have published their full pricing for plans in 2021, reflecting the industry’s call to freeze prices or keep increases capped at low rates due to wider economic troubles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":287554,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9876],"tags":[26],"class_list":["post-447744","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-headline"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447744","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=447744"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447744\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":447770,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447744\/revisions\/447770"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/287554"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=447744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=447744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=447744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}