Momentum Medical Scheme 2026: the six options, Ingwe, HealthSaver+ and who it suits

Momentum suits people who want to build their cover in layers: a hospital plan as the base, with chronic cover and day-to-day benefits added depending on the option. Its income-based Ingwe option is the lowest-priced option in the range and is built for lower earners, and the middle options let you trade a wider hospital choice for a lower contribution.

It suits you less well if you want simple, all-in cover with no add-on decisions. On Evolve and Custom, day-to-day benefits depend on HealthSaver+, which is a Momentum product and not a scheme benefit, so you must understand what you are buying. Summit is priced for people with high medical needs and is well above most household budgets.

Pensioners can join like anyone else, and people aged 65 and older can claim a bigger additional medical expenses tax credit. See the pensioners guide and the tax credit guide.

• Momentum Medical Scheme (registration number 1167) is a not-for-profit open medical scheme registered under the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998; Momentum Health is its administrator, and www.momentumhealth.co.za redirects to momentummedicalscheme.co.za. (momentummedicalscheme.co.za)
• 2026 contribution increase: 9.9% average weighted contribution adjustment for 2026 (per-option range 9.4% to 10.5% reported by broker Aon: Ingwe 9.4-9.8%, Evolve 9.9%, Custom 9.8-9.9%, Incentive 9.8-10.1%, Extender 10-10.3%, Summit 10.5%). (dailymaverick.co.za)
• Momentum Health4Me is not one of the six Momentum Medical Scheme options (Evolve, Custom, Incentive, Extender, Summit, Ingwe). The scheme site says Momentum products are separate from the scheme and 'not medical scheme benefits', and lists 'Ingwe or Health4Me' separately when describing Multiply Engage. The scheme pages do not describe Health4Me itself as health insurance; that is from secondary sources only (see notes). (momentummedicalscheme.co.za)
• Momentum states its products are separate from the scheme: Momentum is not a medical scheme and Momentum products (e.g. HealthSaver+, GapCover+, Multiply) are not medical scheme benefits. (momentum.co.za)
• Six 2026 options are published: Evolve, Custom, Incentive, Extender, Summit and Ingwe. (momentum.co.za)
• Custom, Incentive and Extender let members save up to R1 000 a month on contributions by using the scheme's Associated providers. (momentummedicalscheme.co.za)
• Momentum Medical Scheme is News24's Medical Scheme of the Year for 2026 (back-to-back winner, per the Ingwe page). (momentum.co.za)
• Ingwe contributions depend on income and family composition (income bands), and Ingwe members get Multiply Engage free. (momentum.co.za)
• Summit covers chronic conditions beyond the 26 CDL conditions: 62 in total, with the extra 36 paid from the R34 500 per beneficiary day-to-day limit. (momentum.co.za)
• Momentum is one of the top three open schemes by its own description. (momentummedicalscheme.co.za)

Momentum Medical Scheme (administered by Momentum Health) publishes 6 benefit options for 2026. Prices are the monthly contribution for a main member as published by Momentum, and income-banded plans show the band. Adult and child dependants pay extra. Checked on 29 September 2026.

Sources: content.momentum.co.za/...26_Member_Brochure_Ingwe.pdf, content.momentum.co.za/...6_Member_Brochure_Evolve.pdf, content.momentum.co.za/...6_Member_Brochure_Custom.pdf, content.momentum.co.za/...ember_Brochure_Incentive.pdf, content.momentum.co.za/...Member_Brochure_Extender.pdf, content.momentum.co.za/...6_Member_Brochure_Summit.pdf.

If you are choosing between a network plan and one with open hospital choice, read network versus traditional plans and the hospital plan guide.

Checked on 29 September 2026 against Momentum's official website. Numbers change, so confirm on the linked page before you call. A scheme will not ask you to pay into a new bank account over the phone: hang up and call the official number if anything feels off.

Sources: momentummedicalscheme.co.za/contact, medicalschemes.co.za/pmb. All schemes' numbers are on our medical aid contact numbers page.

On Momentum, the hospital list you pick is one of the biggest price levers. Custom, Incentive and Extender let you save up to R1 000 a month on contributions by using the scheme's Associated providers, and the price for one adult also depends on whether you choose Any or Associated hospitals and which chronic provider you use.

Ask for a quote with your actual hospital and doctor before you decide. If the hospital you would use in an emergency or for a planned procedure is not on the list you choose, you may face a co-payment for a voluntary non-network admission. In a genuine emergency, PMB cover rules still apply. See designated service providers.

Momentum handles day-to-day costs in three different ways, depending on the option.

• Savings accounts: Incentive puts 10% of your contribution into a medical savings account, and Extender puts in 25%. The money is yours and unspent savings stay available.
• HealthSaver+: On Evolve and Custom, day-to-day benefits are subject to HealthSaver+. Momentum states that HealthSaver+ is its own product and is not a medical scheme benefit.
• Summit: paid from a day-to-day limit of R34 500 per beneficiary per year for the extra chronic conditions.

Ask exactly what happens when the account or limit runs out, and what you would pay from your own pocket. Our day-to-day benefits guide and savings account guide explain the mechanics.

Every option must pay prescribed minimum benefits in full, which includes the 26 chronic conditions on the Chronic Disease List. Momentum's chronic cover goes further as you move up: Summit covers 62 chronic conditions in total, with the 26 Chronic Disease List conditions fully covered and the additional 36 paid from the R34 500 day-to-day limit.

The hospital and chronic provider you choose affects the price on several options, so ask what the chronic provider choice means for where you collect your medicine. If you take chronic medicine, ask whether your exact medicine is on the formulary. Read the chronic disease benefits guide.

Momentum's scheme site says Momentum is not a medical scheme and is a separate entity from Momentum Medical Scheme, and that Momentum products are not medical scheme benefits. That covers HealthSaver+, GapCover+ and the Multiply rewards programme.

Health4Me is a separate Momentum product and is not one of the six scheme options. We could not reach an official Health4Me page to check its terms, so we cannot describe its benefits. Ask Momentum in writing whether it pays prescribed minimum benefits and whether complaints about it go to the Council for Medical Schemes.

Health insurance products, including gap cover and hospital cash plans, are not medical schemes. Complaints about them go to the National Financial Ombud, not the CMS. Read medical aid versus health insurance and gap cover explained before you buy.

Contributions. For 2026 Momentum's average weighted contribution adjustment was 9.9%. Broker Aon reported a range across options of 9.4% to 10.5%, with Ingwe at 9.4% to 9.8% and Summit at 10.5%. A separate analysis by Alexforbes also had Momentum highest among the big schemes at 9.9%.

Range. Six options are published for 2026. The Evolve network option and the income-based Ingwe option are the entry points.

Recognition. Momentum Medical Scheme is News24's Medical Scheme of the Year for 2026, back-to-back, according to Momentum. Treat awards as one input only and check claims handling with real members.

2027. Momentum had not announced 2027 contributions when we checked on 29 September 2026. The Council for Medical Schemes has asked schemes to anchor 2027 increases at 3.8%, though it is a benchmark and not a cap. Follow the 2027 increases page.

Administrator. Momentum Health also became administrator for Bonitas on 1 June 2026. That does not merge the two schemes: they have separate rules, members and benefits.

• Bonitas has 16 plans in 2026 and an income-based BonCap. Momentum's Ingwe is the direct rival. Compare the network lists for your area, since the networks are different.
• Discovery Health has KeyCare plans that also price by income, so it is the other obvious comparison for Ingwe.
• Bestmed is self-administered, with three ranges and Rhythm options priced by income.
• Medshield has eight options, flat rather than income-priced, and announced a 7.9% average increase for 2027.

For 2026 the Alexforbes analysis put Momentum at 9.9%, Bonitas at 8.88%, Discovery at 7.2% (deferred to April) and Bestmed at 6.8%. Use how to compare medical aid plans to put your own numbers side by side.

You can join through the scheme's website, a broker or the Momentum App. The app lets you submit and track claims, get pre-authorisation, find a network provider, download your membership card or tax certificate and connect to a virtual help session.

Waiting periods follow section 29A of the Medical Schemes Act: up to three months general and up to 12 months condition-specific if you have had no cover for at least 90 days, with shorter limits if you switch with a gap under 90 days. If you are 35 or older and not continuously covered, a late joiner penalty can apply to your own portion of the contribution. See the late joiner guide and waiting periods.

If you have a complaint, use the scheme's own process first, then the Council for Medical Schemes. The CMS acknowledges complaints in writing within six working days. See the complaints guide and the contact numbers hub.