Big price increases for Bonitas medical aid users in 2020
Medical aid group Bonitas has announced a weighted average increase of 9.9% in monthly contributions for its plans in 2020.
The increases are on par with those announced by Discovery this week, though above the typical annual industry average of CPI+4% (which would be around 8.5%).
Bonitas is the third largest medical aid scheme in South Africa (after Discovery and GEMS), with 330,993 principal members and 710,206 total beneficiaries.
In July, the fund reported its financial results for 2018, announcing bolstered reserves from R4.0 billion in 2017 to R4.13 billion, despite difficult economic conditions.
“This is satisfying, especially given the stagnant economy and other negative fiscal influences. Our strategic initiatives resulted in a positive impact with the Fund attaining a 25.2% solvency rate and achieving a surplus of R164.8 million,” said Lee Callakoppen, principal officer for the fund.
For 2020, the fund said it has introduced new benefits, changed the name of BonFit to BonFit Select and kept increases as low as possible. Increases range between 6.2% and 11.9% across its plans.
“South Africans are under immense financial pressure. This combined with the concerns around the NHI Bill definitely impacts members,” said Callakoppen.
“We’d like to assure everyone it is business as usual at Bonitas and quality, affordable healthcare for our members, remain a priority.”
The individual plan increases are as follows:
- 6.2% for BonFit Select
- 8.4% for Primary, Primary Select, BonEssential, BonEssential Select
- 9.3% for Standard and Standard Select
- 9.5% for BonSave
- 11.9% for BonComprehensive, BonClassic, BonComplete, Hospital Standard and BonCap
Official pricing for 2020 is still to be released, but the table below gives an indication based on the announced increases and the previous years’ rates.