Medshield 2027: Building on momentum, delivering greater value

JOHANNESBURG, 28 SEPTEMBER 2026 - Medshield Medical Scheme announced its 2027 benefit options and contributions, delivering a low 7.9% weighted average contribution increase, with 125 603 lives experiencing increases of just 6% to 7.9%. The Scheme grew by 4.5% in membership with an improved age profile in 2025, and the experience continued into 2026.

As one of the most financially stable, open medical schemes in South Africa, Medshield mapped its existing benefits against members’ needs to identify strengths and gaps, reviewed the competitive landscape and considered the role of modern technology in delivering greater value and access. For 2027, the Scheme has protected its existing benefits, enhanced selected benefit limits, and introduced new benefits:

“Our focus for 2027 ensures that members can afford to retain private healthcare in a challenging economic environment. Over the years, the Scheme has maintained a considered and consistent approach to benefit design and contribution increases, carefully balancing affordability, medical inflation and long-term sustainability while delivering quality benefits and healthcare solutions, financial protection and meaningful support. We will continue to look for opportunities to enhance the value we provide to our members,” says Medshield Principal Officer, Kevin Aron.

Connecting Health And Financial Wellbeing

One such opportunity is Medshield’s collaboration with Sanlam, South Africa’s largest and leading financial services group. Medshield and Sanlam have signed a distribution agreement recognising Medshield as a Sanlam preferred healthcare partner. This partnership will bring members closer to a more connected health and financial wellbeing experience.

Through the collaboration, members will progressively gain access to wellness, gap cover, financial planning, insurance, investment, retirement, banking and rewards solutions across the Sanlam ecosystem. The collaboration also gives members and corporate clients access to Sanlam Gap, Sanlam Reality and Sanlam Wealth, thereby strengthening the value Medshield provides to members and corporate clients through brokers.

“Healthcare decisions do not occur in isolation from the other financial pressures people face. Health and financial wellbeing are closely connected, and through our collaboration with Sanlam we can broaden the conversation,” says Aron. We want members to understand not only what they are covered for, but also how to use that cover effectively to achieve better health outcomes and access additional value that can help ease financial pressures.”

More ways for members to access support

Medshield continues to strengthen the way members access support, with a focus on making services easier to access across digital, self-service and face-to-face channels.

The Scheme has expanded its self-administered servicing capabilities, increased capacity, strengthened digital capabilities, enhanced processes, and invested in training and quality assurance.

Key service enhancements include:

Together, these channels give members greater choice in how they engage with Medshield, whether through digital self-service, WhatsApp or face-to-face support.

Looking Ahead To Greater Integrated Value

“Our 2027 offering is about more than benefits and contributions. It brings together sustainable benefit design, enhanced benefits, improved service and strategic collaborations to deliver greater value and support across every stage of the healthcare journey.

“That is the bigger picture. And it is what being a Partner for Life means to us: understanding what our members need, evolving with them and being there when it matters most,” Aron concludes.

Fin (Word count 730)

Willem S Eksteen

Chief Executive, Stone

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Kgotso Chauke

Media Consultant, Stone

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