Health Insurance Growth Reshapes Private Healthcare Market

Original Article by Thabiso Mochiko | TimesLIVE | 15 August 2026

Health insurance growth is transforming the private healthcare market as consumers look for more affordable alternatives to medical aid.

Health Insurance Growth Reshapes Private Healthcare Market

Image | Panchanok | Adobe Stock_/028120835

Health insurance is now the fastest-growing segment of South Africa’s private healthcare market, driven by consumers seeking more affordable options than traditional medical aid.

Momentum Health estimates the health insurance market is growing by 14% to 16% annually, significantly outpacing the largely stagnant medical scheme sector.

Over 1.2 million principal members now hold health insurance policies, covering nearly 2 million beneficiaries, including dependants. In comparison, South Africa’s medical schemes cover about 8 million beneficiaries.

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