Medical scheme deadline warning as first cut-off nears

Some South African medical scheme members have only days left to change their benefit options for 2027, with the earliest deadline falling on Saturday, 31 October.

Hagop Jaghlassian, chief executive of Curemed Health and Wealth Consultants, has cautioned members against assuming they have until the end of December to submit their choices.

BusinessTech reports that each scheme sets its own administrative deadline, which is separate from the date a new option takes effect.

According to Curemed’s published guidance, the first cut-off applies specifically to Bonitas members whose contributions are paid through the Public Service Salary System, or Persal. Other Bonitas members have until 30 November.

Fedhealth and Momentum members also face a 30 November deadline, as do Medihelp members paid through Persal. Other Medihelp members and Profmed members have until 15 December, according to the consultancy.

Curemed distinguishes between schemes’ submission deadlines and earlier dates it sets for its own clients to allow time for processing.

Missing the applicable cut-off could leave a member on their existing option for another year, BusinessTech reported.

Members should confirm the deadline directly with their scheme, particularly where employer payroll arrangements apply, and ensure the required paperwork reaches the correct recipient in time.

Sources: BusinessTech, “Deadline for medical aid members in South Africa”, 28 October; Curemed, 2027 contribution and option-change guidance, reviewed October 2026.