Momentum Health today announced its 2027 healthcare solutions offering. For Momentum Medical Scheme, this includes a 7.9% annual average contribution increase, together with enhancements designed to help South Africans access practical, preventative and digitally-enabled healthcare.
At a time of evolving healthcare needs and continued economic uncertainty, the 2027 offering reflects the Scheme’s commitment to balancing affordability, meaningful cover and long-term value.
Momentum Health has enhanced HealthReturns, expanding rewards for employers and creating more opportunities to support employee wellbeing through HealthSaver contributions and additional health initiatives.
Healthcare affordability under growing pressure
With South Africans navigating a complex financial landscape, the 2027 contribution adjustment has been carefully considered. It reflects the rising cost of healthcare delivery and the need to sustain meaningful benefits in a system under increasing pressure.
Health data presented at the 2026 Momentum Healthcare Insights Summit revealed that South Africa’s open medical scheme market contracted by 3% between 2019 and 2024, while the average age of members increased from 35 to 37. This trend signals mounting pressure on the affordability and long-term sustainability of private healthcare.
“Hospitalisation remains the largest area of expenditure in the medical scheme market, which is why prevention and early intervention cannot be treated as optional extras. A sustainable healthcare model must help people act before a health concern becomes a more serious, and often more expensive, event,” says Damian McHugh, Chief Marketing Officer at Momentum Health.
Additional flexibility in healthcare insurance
Momentum continues to enhance Health4Me, providing employers with greater flexibility while maintaining affordable access to private healthcare cover for their employees.
In 2022, Health4Me held just over 25% of a market covering approximately 600 000 lives. Today, that market exceeds one million lives, with Health4Me accounting for 30% of the segment.
With wage inflation under pressure and healthcare costs continuing to rise, Momentum has reviewed the product for 2027 to ensure long-term sustainability while responding to changing member needs.
“Momentum is focused on maintaining the right balance between benefit richness, affordability and sustainable risk management,” says McHugh. “As part of our 2027 enhancements, we have increased specialist benefit limits, replaced underutilised COVID-19 screening benefits with an over-the-counter pharmacy medicine benefit, and introduced a third GP benefit tier. This gives employers and advisers greater flexibility to provide healthcare cover to more employees within tighter budgets.”
Making prevention easier to act on
Since January 2026, Momentum Multiply has recorded a 25% increase in members achieving their physical activity goals and a 35% increase in members reaching their rest and recharge goals. These are among the healthy behaviours rewarded through HealthReturns, which incentivises members to take positive steps towards better health and wellbeing.
The programme continues to demonstrate the value of rewarding healthy behaviour, with engaged members generating 19% lower claims than other members.
“We believe people should be empowered to take practical steps towards better health in ways that are accessible, relevant and meaningful to them,” says McHugh. “When health support is convenient, understandable and rewarding, people are more likely to build habits that last. These everyday choices help create healthier people, stronger businesses and a more resilient future.”
Expanding access through digital care
Momentum Health has seen Hello Doctor consultations increase by 634% since 2021. The increase reflects growing demand for convenient and accessible healthcare support, enabling members to begin their healthcare journey digitally and receive guidance earlier.
“We are not just a medical scheme administrator; we are a partner in the health journey of South Africans,” says McHugh. “We are deeply invested in the future of healthcare for our nation and remain committed to building a system that is inclusive, sustainable and accessible to all.”
“As we look ahead, we remain mindful of the pressures South Africans face,” he adds. “Our 2027 offering reflects a careful balance between affordability, innovation and meaningful cover. We remain committed to helping more South Africans access the support they need to stay well, build resilience and achieve better health outcomes.”