What happened to Spectramed Medical Scheme, and where to go now

The merger date comes from MedicalBrief, as the CMS pages we checked do not state it.

• Spectramed no longer exists as a separate scheme: it merged with Resolution Health Medical Scheme to form Health Squared Medical Scheme from 1 January 2019, and Health Squared was placed in liquidation by the Gauteng High Court on 17 February 2023; neither name appears on the CMS register of medical schemes as at 31 March 2025. (medicalschemes.co.za)
• Spectramed Medical Scheme and Resolution Health Medical Scheme merged from 1 January 2019 to form Health Squared Medical Scheme; 93% of members voted in favour. (medicalbrief.co.za)
• At the time of the merger the Council for Medical Schemes described both Spectramed and Resolution as failing entities. (medicalschemes.co.za)
• Health Squared applied for voluntary liquidation in August 2022, blaming financial deterioration from high 2020 and 2021 COVID-19 claims, and the CMS opposed it and placed the scheme under curatorship. (medicalschemes.co.za)
• The Gauteng High Court placed Health Squared Medical Scheme in liquidation on 17 February 2023 (CMS notice dated 15 March 2023). (medicalschemes.co.za)
• The CMS list of registered medical schemes as at 31 March 2025 contains neither Spectramed nor Health Squared. (static.pmg.org.za)
• Independent explainer (July 2024): Spectramed no longer operates independently. (medinol.co.za)

Your cover ended when the scheme did. If you still have none, you can apply to any open scheme: open schemes must accept any applicant who can pay, though they can apply waiting periods.

If you have been without cover for more than 90 days, a new scheme can apply a general waiting period of up to 3 months and a condition-specific one of up to 12 months. These are maximums. See the waiting periods guide.

If you are 35 or older, a late joiner penalty of 5%, 25%, 50% or 75% of your contribution can apply, depending on how many years you were without cover. Your years on Spectramed count as previous cover. If you cannot get documents, the regulations accept a sworn affidavit as proof, and the new scheme must recalculate the penalty from the date you produce evidence. See the late joiner penalty guide.

For an unpaid claim from before the liquidation, ask the CMS how to lodge it.

Of 71 registered schemes, 16 are open and 55 restricted, and only open schemes accept the public. Starting points:

If cost is the main issue, read cheapest medical aid, low-income medical aid and hospital plans in South Africa.

Hospital cash plans, primary care insurance and gap cover are health insurance products, not medical schemes. They do not carry the Prescribed Minimum Benefits protection that scheme options must provide, and complaints go to the National Financial Ombud, not the CMS. Read medical aid versus health insurance before you choose one.

Before you join any scheme, check it is on the register at medicalschemes.co.za. Complaints about a scheme go to the scheme first, then to the CMS at [email protected] or 0861 123 267. See how to complain to the CMS.