Bestmed
Bestmed Rhythm 1 2026
Network plansMost affordable — income-based
Rhythm 1 is a network plans plan from Bestmed. In 2026 it costs R1 736 a month for the main member, R1 736 for an adult dependant and R715 for a child.
Best for: Lower-income individuals needing affordable primary care with unlimited GP access. Not suitable if you expect hospital admissions beyond emergencies.
From Bestmed's official 2026 brochure
What Rhythm 1 covers
- Hospitals you can use
- Bestmed Rhythm DSP Network (restricted)
- In hospital
- PMB conditions only at DSP hospitals. Income-based contributions: R1 736 – R3 615/month depending on income.
- Day-to-day
- No savings account. Unlimited GP visits at Rhythm network. Primary care from Scheme risk.
- Chronic medication
- CDL & PMB: 100% Scheme tariff. 30% co-payment for non-formulary. No Non-CDL chronic cover. Acute medicine at 100% Scheme tariff (Bestmed formulary).
- Maternity
- 6 antenatal consultations + 2 ultrasound scans at DSP network. 100% Scheme tariff.
- Dental
- Basic dentistry at Bestmed Rhythm Dental Network Providers only. No specialised dental benefit.
- Optical
- Eye test only (network optometrist). No benefit for frames, lenses or contact lenses.
- Mental health
- PMB conditions only at DSPs. Pre-auth required.
- PMBs (prescribed minimum benefits)
- Full PMB cover at DSPs.
- Emergencies
- PMBs only. Casualty and out-of-network GP: PMBs only.
- Gap cover
- Yes — hospitalisation limited to PMBs only.
Summarised from Bestmed's official 2026 brochure. Always confirm the details with the scheme or an accredited broker before you join.
Similar plans to compare
Other network plans plans close to R1 736 a month.
DiscoveryEssential Dynamic SmartR1 797per month, main memberView plan DiscoveryKeyCare CoreR1 859per month, main memberView plan DiscoveryKeyCare Start RegionalR1 932per month, main memberView plan
Compare Rhythm 1 with Essential Dynamic Smart and KeyCare Core side by sideIs Rhythm 1 right for you?
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