The short version
- By law, savings can't be more than 25% of your total contribution.
- Unused savings always roll over to the next year. The scheme can't keep them.
- If you change schemes, the balance moves to your new scheme's savings account or is paid out to you.
- Prescribed Minimum Benefits must be paid by the scheme, not from your savings.
- When savings run out, some options make you pay yourself until you reach a threshold. This is the self-payment gap.
How a savings year usually runs
| Stage | Who pays day-to-day claims |
|---|---|
| 1. Savings | Your medical savings account |
| 2. Self-payment gap (only on options that have one) | You, from your own pocket. Claims still count towards the threshold, so keep sending them to the scheme. |
| 3. Above-threshold benefit (only on options that have one) | The scheme, usually at the scheme rate and sometimes with limits |
| All year | PMBs, Chronic Disease List medicine and hospital cover are paid by the scheme, not from savings |
Day-to-day cover in our 2026 data
Cheapest option with a day-to-day pool
Bonitas BonCapR1 730 a month, with a published day-to-day benefit of R2 390 a year for a single member.
Computed from published 2026 contributions and brochure figures. Not financial advice.
What the 2026 brochures say about savings
Verbatim mentions from each scheme's own 2026 brochure summary.
Annual savings of R14,832 for the main member.
Unlimited above threshold benefit for out-of-hospital expenses
Savings account for day-to-day medical expenses
Savings account for day-to-day medical costs
Above threshold benefit for additional day-to-day cover
If you use all your savings for the year, your family will still get 1 GP consultation paid at the Bonitas Rate.
Comprehensive out-of-hospital cover through a medical savings account.
Additional GP consultations if savings run out.
Out-of-hospital expenses paid from a medical savings account.
Additional GP consultations available after savings are depleted.
Extensive day-to-day cover from a 25% Medical Savings Account and limited Above Threshold Benefit
Day-to-day cover from a 15% Medical Savings Account and limited Above Threshold Benefit
68 of 114 plans in our 2026 data don't mention this in the brochure summary we hold. That doesn't mean they exclude it — check the plan's own brochure.
Make your savings last
- Send every claim to the scheme, even after savings run out. Claims in the self-payment gap still count towards the threshold.
- Use network GPs, pharmacies and optometrists. Many options pay more, or pay from the risk benefit, when you do.
- Register chronic conditions with the scheme so the medicine comes from the chronic benefit, not your savings.
- Use the preventive benefits. On most options, flu shots and screening tests are paid separately and don't touch savings.
- Ask for generics. The price difference comes straight out of your savings.
- Check your statement every month for claims you don't recognise.
Savings or a day-to-day benefit pool?
Some options give you savings; others give you a pool with limits per category. Savings are flexible and roll over. A pool can't be moved between categories and resets each year, but it isn't capped at 25% of your contribution. Add up last year's day-to-day claims and compare them with what each option offers.
Questions people ask
Do unused medical savings roll over?
Yes, always. Unused savings are yours and carry over to the next year.
What happens to my savings if I change medical aid?
The balance moves to your new scheme's savings account, or is paid out to you if your new option doesn't have one. The scheme's rules set the timing. If you'd used savings in advance, what you owe is deducted first.
Can my scheme pay PMBs from my savings?
No. PMBs must be paid from the scheme's risk benefit. If you see a PMB claim paid from savings, ask the scheme to reprocess it.
Why is my whole year's savings available in January?
Most schemes give you the full year's savings upfront. If you leave or downgrade mid-year after using more than you've paid in, you'll have to pay the difference back.
Related on Medical Aid Online
Sources
This guide is general information, not financial or medical advice. Medical Aid Online is not a medical scheme. Scheme rules and benefits change every year, so check the scheme's own rules and brochure before you decide.
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