Medical Aid Contributions: 3.8% Target Won’t Fix Affordability

Original Article by Duduzile Ramela | Moneyweb | 30 September 2026

The BHF says a 3.8% target won't curb medical aid contributions. It adds that tariff and PMB reforms could make cover more affordable.

Medical Aid Contributions: 3.8% Target Won't Fix Affordability

Image | Ameer | Adobe Stock/1919978183

A 3.8% guideline for 2027 medical aid contributions will not make private healthcare more affordable, the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) says. Instead, managing director Dr Katlego Mothudi says structural reforms are needed to tackle rising hospital and specialist costs and higher utilisation.

Unexplained component in the 2027 guideline

Speaking in a broadcast interview, Mothudi said the main problem lies beyond the headline figure. The guideline includes an additional utilisation adjustment, which he said is not explained. Moreover, he argued this component is larger than the 3.8% itself.

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