Best for: Lower-income individuals needing affordable primary care with unlimited GP access. Not suitable if you expect hospital admissions beyond emergencies.
Hospitals
Bestmed Rhythm DSP Network (restricted)
Day-to-day
No savings account. Unlimited GP visits at Rhythm network. Primary care from Scheme risk.
Chronic meds
CDL & PMB: 100% Scheme tariff. 30% co-payment for non-formulary. No Non-CDL chronic cover. Acute medicine at 100% Scheme tariff (Bestmed formulary).
Hospital cover
PMB conditions only at DSP hospitals. Income-based contributions: R1 736 – R3 615/month depending on income.
Best for: Lower-to-middle income families wanting full hospital cover plus unlimited GPs, basic optometry and comprehensive oncology — all at an income-linked premium.
Hospitals
Bestmed Rhythm DSP Network (restricted)
Day-to-day
No savings account. Unlimited GP visits at Rhythm network. Out-of-hospital from Scheme risk (limited).
Chronic meds
CDL & PMB: 100% Scheme tariff. 30% co-payment for non-formulary. No Non-CDL chronic cover. Acute medicine at 100% Scheme tariff (Bestmed formulary).
Hospital cover
100% Scheme tariff at DSP hospital. Non-PMB day procedures up to R57 441 per family at network day hospitals. Income-based: R2 747 – R3 516/month.
Maternity
9 antenatal + 1 postnatal consultation + 2 ultrasound scans at DSP network + maternity supplements R145/month for 9 months.
Dental
Basic dentistry at Bestmed Rhythm Dental Network Providers only. No specialised dental benefit.
Optical
Network: frame R310 + standard lenses OR contact lenses R795. Non-network: frame R233 + lenses. Every 24 months.
Mental health
21 days inpatient or 15 outpatient sessions per year. 100% Scheme tariff. Pre-auth required.
Gap cover
Recommended for specialists.
Family pricing
Adult dependant R2 610 · Child R1 653
Note
Income-based: rates shown are for household income R0–R5,500/month. Child rates apply under 24. You pay for a maximum of 3 children.
In-hospital: up to R12 772 per family. Out-of-hospital: basic from preventative or savings, specialised from savings; supplementary services up to R2 188 family.
Optical
Network: frame R990 + standard lenses OR contact lenses R1 760. Non-network: frame R743 + lenses. Every 24 months.
Mental health
21 days inpatient or 15 outpatient sessions per year. Pre-auth required.
Gap cover
Recommended for specialist cover.
Family pricing
Adult dependant R3 746 · Child R1 902
Note
Child rates apply under 24. You pay for a maximum of 3 children.
Best for: Individuals and families wanting comprehensive in- and out-of-hospital cover, with savings and a day-to-day safety net, at the entry Pace price.
Hospitals
Open — any private hospital
Day-to-day
Medical savings account: 19% of premium (R1 127/month). Day-to-day limit: R13 794 (member)/R27 586 (family) once savings depleted.
Chronic meds
CDL & PMB: 100% Scheme tariff. 25% co-payment for non-formulary. Non-CDL: 7 conditions, 90% Scheme tariff, up to R8 414 (member)/R16 827 (family).
Hospital cover
100% Scheme tariff — any private hospital. In- and out-of-hospital from Scheme risk + savings.
In-hospital: up to R10 217 per family. Out-of-hospital: savings first, basic from preventative benefit or savings. Orthodontic up to R5 228 (member)/R10 609 (family).
Optical
Network: frame R1 270 + standard lenses OR contact lenses R2 085. Non-network: frame R953 + lenses. Every 24 months.
Mental health
21 days inpatient or 15 outpatient sessions per year. Pre-auth required.
Gap cover
Recommended.
Family pricing
Adult dependant R4 289 · Child R1 541
Note
Child rates apply under 24. You pay for a maximum of 3 children.
In-hospital: up to R16 979 per family. Out-of-hospital: savings first then day-to-day limit. Orthodontic (18 yrs and under) up to R8 762 (member)/R17 527 (family).
Optical
Network: frame R1 325 + standard lenses + lens enhancement R750 OR contact lenses R2 280. Non-network: frame R994 + lenses. Every 24 months.
Mental health
21 days inpatient or 15 outpatient sessions per year. Pre-auth required.
Gap cover
Optional.
Family pricing
Adult dependant R8 596 · Child R1 933
Note
Child rates apply under 24. You pay for a maximum of 3 children.
Best for: Families wanting top-tier chronic cover (20 conditions), biological medicine up to R420 695/year, enhanced oncology (Core & Enhanced ICON protocols), and glucose monitoring.
Hospitals
Open — any private hospital
Day-to-day
Medical savings account: 14% of premium (R1 409/month). Day-to-day limit: R23 028 (member)/R47 590 (family) once savings depleted.
Chronic meds
CDL & PMB: 100% Scheme tariff. 15% co-payment for non-formulary. Non-CDL: 20 conditions, 90% Scheme tariff, up to R17 654 (member)/R35 310 (family).
Hospital cover
100% Scheme tariff — any private hospital. Full in- and out-of-hospital Scheme risk cover.
In-hospital: up to R21 335 per family. Out-of-hospital: savings first then day-to-day limit. Orthodontic (18 yrs and under) up to R9 442 (member)/R17 603 (family).
Optical
Network: frame R1 325 + standard lenses + lens enhancement R750 OR contact lenses R2 280. Non-network: frame R994 + lenses + lens enhancement R750. Every 24 months.
Mental health
21 days inpatient or 15 outpatient sessions per year. Pre-auth required.
Gap cover
Optional.
Family pricing
Adult dependant R8 101 · Child R1 731
Note
Child rates apply under 24. You pay for a maximum of 3 children.
Best for: High-income families needing maximum cover: 29 chronic conditions, biological medicine R622 628/year, cochlear implants R350 000, and the highest day-to-day limits on the scheme.
Hospitals
Open — any private hospital
Day-to-day
Medical savings account: 3% of premium (R377/month). Day-to-day limit: R45 375 (member)/R73 172 (family) — highest on Bestmed.
Chronic meds
CDL & PMB: 100% Scheme tariff. 10% co-payment for non-formulary. Non-CDL: 29 conditions, 100% Scheme tariff, up to R25 165 (member)/R50 558 (family).
Hospital cover
100% Scheme tariff — any private hospital. All in-hospital, out-of-hospital and preventative care from Scheme risk.
