Built Different: Redefining medical aid in SA

How Fedhealth and Sanlam are reshaping medical aid cover.

Fedhealth has just announced a blueprint for its reimagined medical scheme which will be launched in partnership with Sanlam in 2026.
Under the theme of Built Different, the scheme is setting out to reimagine medical aid as we know it by addressing universal frustrations South Africans experience with their medical aid.

“We found some common themes that emerge among medical aid consumers,” said Jeremy Yatt, Fedhealth’s Principal Officer. “These included the fact that medical aid is seen as too expensive, too rigid, too complicated, and not inclusive enough.”

As a solution to these issues, the reimagined scheme will embody five core values: affordability, customisation, inclusivity, simplicity and trust.

Benefits that answer real member needs

Fedhealth’s 2026 benefit changes reflect a scheme that listens and responds to its members. Some of the most significant enchancements are:

• Expanded maternity benefits on flexiFED 1, including cover for additional scans, antenatal consultations, classes and amniocentesis.
• Stronger mental health support, with funded depression medication now extended to members on entry-level options like flexiFED Savvy, flexiFED 1 and flexiFED 2.
• Emergency contraception added as a covered benefit across all options.
• Preventative care for mature members, with an additional pneumococcal vaccine for those aged 65 and older.
• Oncology enhancements, including a 25% higher brachytherapy benefit limit on flexiFED 4.
• Day-to-Day Plus (D2D+), a new benefit that rewards members for completing a health risk assessment and downloading the Fedhealth Member App, with up to R4 500 unlocked in additional cover for specified day-to-day expenses.

Despite these upgrades, Fedhealth has kept affordability at the forefront for cash-strapped South Africans. It has managed to secure its lowest average weighted contribution increase in years: just 9.6%. Popular options, such as flexiFED 1, will rise by only 5% (R125 per month for a main member), and the fast-growing flexiFED Savvy option will see a modest increase of R100 per month. For low-income earners, myFED will maintain its competitive position with only a 9.5% increase.

Fedhealth and Sanlam: a partnership of power

Fedhealth’s partnership with Sanlam has enabled the scheme to offer a truly valuable product that integrates health, wealth, risk protection and rewards.

Members can enjoy access to a range of financial and wellness products that extend beyond medical aid, all under one brand. These include:

• Sanlam Gap Cover, which protects against medical shortfalls, with Fedhealth members enjoying an exclusive 30% discount.
• Sanlam Primary Care, an affordable health solution ideal for corporates and individuals, offering unlimited GP consultations and essential day-to-day benefits through a nationwide network.
• Oncology solutions with cover of up to R6 million, ensuring treatment and recovery are never compromised by financial stress.
• Sanlam Health Rewards, live on the Fedhealth Member App, turns everyday health choices into vouchers, discounts and lifestyle rewards.
• Wealth Bonus & Health Boost, where Fedhealth members who purchase Sanlam risk products enjoy up to a 15% additional boost to their Wealth Bonus.

Said Jeremy Yatt: “We believe this model will help transform medical aid from a grudge purchase into a cornerstone of long-term financial planning.”

Looking ahead: Built Different for 2030 and beyond

In 2026, Fedhealth and Medshield will amalgamate, subject to regulatory approval. Once this process is completed, the combined scheme will be among South Africa’s top four open medical schemes. While the amalgamation will be a significant milestone, Fedhealth is already delivering on its promise of a stronger, more innovative healthcare solution.

Building South Africa’s most trusted medical scheme

It’s the reimagined scheme’s ambition to become South Africa’s most trusted medical scheme by 2030. By building on values like affordability, inclusivity and trust, and by harnessing the power of the partnership with Sanlam, Fedhealth is creating a healthcare ecosystem that’s financially strong, member-driven and prepared for the future.

Visit fedhealth.co.za to find out how medical aid is changing.