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Bestmed Medical Scheme

Bestmed Medical Scheme is an open scheme. Its plans fall into three series: Rhythm (income-based network cover), Beat (hospital and savings cover, many with a cheaper Network version) and Pace (comprehensive cover).

Plans: 14
From: R1 736
Up to: R12 572

Monthly premium for the main member, 2026.

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Bestmed plans for 2026

Hospital only (4)

Covers you when you're admitted. Day-to-day costs are mostly yours.

Beat 1 Network

Hospital onlyLowest Beat premium

R2 269

per month, main member

Best for: Young healthy individuals wanting the most affordable hospital cover and are happy using the Bestmed network.

Hospitals: Beat Network (restricted)
Day-to-day: No savings account. No out-of-hospital day-to-day benefits.
Chronic meds: CDL & PMB: 100% Scheme tariff. 30% co-payment for non-formulary medicine. No Non-CDL chronic cover.

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Beat 1

Hospital onlyOpen network hospital only

R2 523

per month, main member

Best for: Young healthy individuals wanting basic hospital-only cover with freedom to use any private hospital.

Hospitals: Open — any private hospital
Day-to-day: No savings account. No out-of-hospital day-to-day benefits.
Chronic meds: CDL & PMB: 100% Scheme tariff. 30% co-payment for non-formulary medicine. No Non-CDL chronic cover.

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Beat 2 Network

Hospital onlyNetwork + savings — best value Beat

R2 775

per month, main member

Best for: Budget-conscious members wanting hospital cover plus a savings buffer for day-to-day expenses, using a network hospital.

Hospitals: Beat Network (restricted)
Day-to-day: Medical savings account: 16% of premium (R444/month principal member). Out-of-hospital from savings only.
Chronic meds: CDL & PMB: 100% Scheme tariff. 30% co-payment for non-formulary. No Non-CDL chronic cover.

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Beat 2

Hospital onlyMost popular Beat entry plan

R3 084

per month, main member

Best for: Members wanting open hospital access plus a savings account for day-to-day costs.

Hospitals: Open — any private hospital
Day-to-day: Medical savings account: 16% of premium (R493/month principal member). Out-of-hospital from savings only.
Chronic meds: CDL & PMB: 100% Scheme tariff. 30% co-payment for non-formulary. No Non-CDL chronic cover.

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Network plans (2)

Cheaper, but you must use the scheme's chosen hospitals and doctors.

Rhythm 1

Network plansMost affordable — income-based

R1 736

per month, main member

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).

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Rhythm 2

Network plansBest Rhythm for families

R2 747

per month, main member

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).

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Hospital + savings (3)

Hospital cover plus a savings pot for GP visits, meds and more.

Beat 3 Network

Hospital + savingsNetwork + chronic cover

R4 062

per month, main member

Best for: Families wanting network hospital savings, some chronic cover (5 conditions), and enhanced maternity benefits.

Hospitals: Beat Network (restricted)
Day-to-day: Medical savings account: 15% of premium (R609/month). Some out-of-hospital benefits also from Scheme risk.
Chronic meds: CDL & PMB: 100% Scheme tariff. Non-CDL: 5 conditions, 80% Scheme tariff, up to R4 358 (member)/R8 865 (family). 30% co-payment for non-formulary.

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Beat 3

Hospital + savingsMost popular mid-range Beat

R4 514

per month, main member

Best for: Families wanting open hospital access, a savings buffer, and basic chronic medicine coverage for 5 conditions.

Hospitals: Open — any private hospital
Day-to-day: Medical savings account: 15% of premium (R677/month). Some out-of-hospital benefits also from Scheme risk.
Chronic meds: CDL & PMB: 100% Scheme tariff. Non-CDL: 5 conditions, 80% Scheme tariff, up to R4 358 (member)/R8 865 (family). 30% co-payment for non-formulary.

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Beat 3 Plus

Hospital + savingsBest Beat for chronic conditions

R5 042

per month, main member

Best for: Families needing expanded chronic cover (9 conditions), generous savings account, and optometry benefits included.

Hospitals: Open — any private hospital
Day-to-day: Medical savings account: 25% of premium (R1 261/month). Substantial savings buffer for day-to-day costs.
Chronic meds: CDL & PMB: 100% Scheme tariff. Non-CDL: 9 conditions, 90% Scheme tariff, up to R9 571 (member)/R19 143 (family). 20% co-payment for non-formulary.

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Comprehensive (5)

The most cover: hospital, day-to-day and extras.

Pace 1

ComprehensiveEntry-level comprehensive

R5 934

per month, main member

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).

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Beat 4

ComprehensiveMost comprehensive Beat plan

R7 365

per month, main member

Best for: Families wanting top-tier Beat cover: structured day-to-day benefit, dental, optometry, hearing aids (R13 357) and advanced illness benefit (R109 288).

Hospitals: Open — any private hospital
Day-to-day: Medical savings account: 14% of premium (R1 031/month). Out-of-hospital from savings then day-to-day limit (R16 227 member / R32 452 family).
Chronic meds: CDL & PMB: 100% Scheme tariff. 20% co-payment for non-formulary. Non-CDL: 9 conditions, 90% Scheme tariff, up to R9 571 (member)/R19 143 (family). 20% co-payment for non-formulary.

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Pace 2

Comprehensive20 chronic conditions covered

R8 766

per month, main member

Best for: Families needing enhanced chronic cover (20 conditions), high-cost biological medicine (R210 208/year), hearing aids, insulin pump, and medically necessary breast reduction.

Hospitals: Open — any private hospital
Day-to-day: Medical savings account: 14% of premium (R1 227/month). Day-to-day limit: R17 233 (member)/R34 465 (family) once savings depleted.
Chronic meds: CDL & PMB: 100% Scheme tariff. 20% co-payment for non-formulary. Non-CDL: 20 conditions, 90% Scheme tariff, up to R11 488 (member)/R22 976 (family).

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Pace 3

ComprehensiveEnhanced oncology protocols

R10 064

per month, main member

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).

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Pace 4

ComprehensiveMost comprehensive Bestmed plan

R12 572

per month, main member

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).

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