ABOUT THE SCHEME
The Story Behind Fedhealth
Fedhealth is one of South Africa's oldest medical schemes, founded in 1936 under the name Reef Medical Scheme. It has operated continuously for nearly 90 years, making it one of the most enduring institutions in the country's private healthcare landscape. It is administered by Medscheme Administrators and currently covers approximately 56,000 principal members and 100,000 lives.
QUICK FACTS
Founded
Principal Members
Beneficiaries
Number of Plans
Average Member Age
Administrator
Notable Partnership
1936 (as Reef Medical Scheme)
~ 56 000
~100 000
8
44
Medscheme Administrators
Sanlam joint venture (launched 2026)
HISTORY
Mergers, Membership Loss and a Sanlam Partnership
In 2019 Fedhealth merged with Topmed, absorbing its membership base. A proposed merger with Medshield in 2025 was approved by the Competition Commission but was ultimately called off by the two schemes — likely because the combined average member age of both schemes would have exceeded 41, raising concerns about long-term financial sustainability.
In 2025 Fedhealth entered into a joint venture with Sanlam, which officially launched in 2026 under the banner of Sanlam Health Solutions. The partnership gives Fedhealth members access to Sanlam products — including gap cover at a discount, short-term insurance, long-term assurance and investment products. In return, Sanlam customers gain access to the Fedhealth Medical Scheme. This was a strategic move to help Fedhealth compete against Momentum and Discovery Health, both of which have long offered integrated financial and wellness products to their members.
MEMBERSHIP TREND
A Concern Worth Understanding
In 2015 Fedhealth had 64,000 principal members. By 2026 that figure had dropped to 56,000 — a loss of approximately 8,000 members and 16,000 lives over a decade. This membership decline, combined with an increasing average age of 44, creates financial pressure for the scheme. Older membership profiles typically mean higher healthcare utilisation and rising costs.
Importantly, Fedhealth's solvency ratio may appear strong on paper — but this should be interpreted carefully. When members leave a scheme, the 25% statutory reserve does not leave with them. This means a shrinking scheme can show an improving solvency ratio not because it is getting stronger, but simply because it has fewer members. Prospective members should factor this into their assessment.
UNIQUE BENEFITS
What Fedhealth Does Differently
Despite its challenges, Fedhealth offers several genuinely distinctive member benefits worth noting:
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Upgrade at any time of year on a life-changing event — accident, heart attack, pregnancy, marriage and similar qualifying events. Members can stay on a lower plan until they need more cover, then upgrade within 30 days of the event.
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Child and student rates until age 27 — more generous than most schemes.
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Best maternity benefit covered by risk of all open schemes — meaning maternity costs are covered from risk benefits rather than the savings account.
