Fedhealth Medical Scheme 2026 Review
SA's 6th-largest open medical scheme, administered by Sanlam Health. flexiFED 1 Elect from R2,051/month is the cheapest plan; flexiFED 1 (any private hospital) is R2,630. Two plan families — flexiFED (modern savings) and maxima (traditional). 2026 increase: 9.6%.
Cheapest plan
flexiFED 1 Elect
From (main member)
R2,051
2026 increase
9.6% weighted (flexiFED 1 only +5%)
Beneficiaries
~165k (6th-largest open scheme)
Administrator
Sanlam Health (MMI Health)
Plan range
flexiFED 1–4 + maxima
2026 Fedhealth plan range
| Plan | Main member 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| flexiFED 1 Elect | R2,051 | Hospital plan, Fedhealth network. R15,950 excess on non-emergency non-network admissions |
| flexiFED 1 | R2,630 | Hospital plan, any private hospital |
| flexiFED 2 Elect | Quote-based | Hospital + entry savings, Fedhealth network |
| flexiFED 2 | Quote-based | Hospital + entry savings, any hospital |
| flexiFED 3 Elect / flexiFED 3 | Quote-based | Mid-tier savings + above-threshold benefit |
| flexiFED 4 Elect / flexiFED 4 | Quote-based | Comprehensive savings + above-threshold benefit |
| maxima Standard / maxima Plus / maxima Exec | Quote-based | Traditional comprehensive plan range |
Verified 2026 contributions shown where published; higher flexiFED and maxima tiers vary by family composition — get a quote from Fedhealth direct or a registered broker. Source: Fedhealth flexiFED 1 / flexiFED 1 Elect 2026 product brochures.
flexiFED vs maxima — which plan family?
flexiFED (modern)
Hospital plus medical savings account structure. flexiFED 1 is a pure hospital plan, 2–4 add escalating MSA allocations and above-threshold benefit. Each tier has an Elect version (Fedhealth hospital network, lower premium, R15,950 excess if you use non-network voluntarily) and a non-Elect version (any hospital, higher premium).
maxima (traditional)
Traditional comprehensive plans — Standard, Plus, Exec. No MSA; day-to-day claims paid from scheme benefits subject to per-discipline limits (GP visits, dentistry, optometry, acute medication, specialists). Best for high-utilisation households who prefer scheme-paid benefits over budgeting an MSA.
Key features
- • flexiFED 1 Elect at R2,051 — competitive entry pricing for a hospital plan with PMB cover, if you live within Fedhealth's hospital network
- • Sanlam Health backing (formerly MMI Health) — financial and operational depth of a major insurer
- • Two plan families — flexiFED for MSA-style flexibility, maxima for traditional scheme-paid benefits
- • Elect / non-Elect choice at every flexiFED tier lets you trade hospital freedom for ~R579/month off the premium
- • 27 CDL conditions covered on all plans; additional chronic conditions on flexiFED 3+ and maxima range
- • 6th-largest open scheme by beneficiaries — sizeable enough for stable DSP partnerships, smaller than Discovery, Bonitas, Momentum, Medshield, Medihelp
Things to weigh
- • R15,950 non-network excess on Elect plans is the largest in the industry — make sure a Fedhealth network hospital is genuinely accessible from where you live.
- • 9.6% 2026 increase is on the higher end of major schemes (vs Bestmed 6.8%, Discovery 7.2%, Medshield 7.5%) — worth modelling 3-year contribution growth before committing.
- • flexiFED 1 (any hospital) at R2,630 is more expensive than Bonitas Hospital Standard (R3,561 with broader benefits) or Bestmed Beat 1 (R2,523) — comparison shop before contracting.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Fedhealth cost in 2026?+
What is the R15,950 excess on flexiFED 1 Elect?+
Is Fedhealth a good medical aid?+
What is the difference between flexiFED and maxima?+
Does Fedhealth cover chronic medication?+
Important
This article is for general information only and is not financial advice. Figures and rules change frequently — always verify with the official source before acting.