Healthcare
South Africa — Healthcare: Private Insurance
About 9.17 million South Africans were covered by 71 medical schemes at end 2024, regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceCouncil for Medical Schemes — Industry Report 2024Last reviewed: 2026-10-23
Why this matters
Relocating individuals should consider private insurance as a way to access better healthcare facilities and avoid long waiting times in the public system, but the complexity of the system makes it difficult to navigate.
Key facts
- Medical schemes covered about 9.17 million lives on 31 December 2024 across 71 schemes (16 open and 55 restricted), 33 administrators and 43 managed care organisations.
- Membership grew about 0.45% from 2023; benefits paid reached R259.3 billion in 2024, up 8.52%, with hospital spending the largest cost at 35.95%.
- The CMS regulates schemes and publishes approved contribution adjustments each year.
- The 2025 membership total and NHI Act status were not in these results.
Steps
- Choosing a Private Health Insurance Plan — Relocating individuals should research and compare different insurance plans, considering factors such as premium costs, coverage, and network of healthcare providers. It is also essential to understand the plan's exclusions and limitations.
- Applying for a Private Health Insurance Plan — Applicants typically need to provide personal and medical history information, as well as proof of income and employment. The application process may involve a medical examination and underwriting.