To costly to get sick: medical aid hikes in 2026 sparks affordability fears

Stephen Grootes speaks to Verona Pillay, Lead Technical Advisor at Financial Services, about South Africa's looming medical aid affordability crisis.

Listen to the interview in the audio player below.

South Africans should prepare for steep medical aid premium increases in 2026.

The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) recommends a cautious 3.3% CPI-linked cap, but ASI Financial Services projects potential price hikes could reach double digits.

It's forecasting possible medical aid price increases of between 9.2% and 12.0%, citing rising healthcare costs, ageing patients and a widening affordability gap.

Speaking to Stephen Grootes on The Money Show, Verona Pillay, Lead Technical Advisor at ASI Financial Services says there are several factors impacting the steep medical aid increases.

"The strain of chronic conditions, the strain of illnesses. We've seen post-covid how the impact of illness has impacted hospital admissions and chronic conditions...altogether from an illness perspective, that's driving up costs."

- Verona Pillay, Lead Technical Advisor - ASI Financial Services

"...the statistics have shown now that hospital admissions are more prevalent for the ages of between 40 and 60, that's where we see the peak. And the people over the age of 60 are increasing the hospital admissions even more."

- Verona Pillay, Lead Technical Advisor - ASI Financial Services

"We've been encouraging clients to be on proper medical aids, that are suitable for their needs. We find that people, throughout the lifetime whether their financial needs change, their ages change, they still maintain the same plan..."

 - Verona Pillay, Lead Technical Advisor - ASI Financial Services

Scroll to the top of the article to listen to the full interview.