Circular 24 of 2025: Guidance on contribution increases and benefits changes for 2026

This Circular outlines the requirements that medical schemes should comply with when determining annual contribution increases and benefit amendments for the 2026 benefit year.

The annual medical scheme contribution rates have consistently increased at a higher rate than consumer inflation. The CMS remains concerned by this trend as it places a significant financial burden on members of medical schemes. Coupled with steep increases in the price of electricity and high food inflation, it is evident that most household budgets are significantly constrained. To ease the financial strain on members of medical schemes and the risk of losing health insurance, the CMS hereby recommends that the contribution increase and cost assumptions for tariff increases for the 2026 benefit year be limited to 3.3% plus reasonable utilisation estimates.

Download the full Circular here.