At a glance:

• 340 119 Principal members
• 709 881 Total beneficiaries 
• 190 000 new members over the past 36 months
• Average age of beneficiary: 33.9
• Average age of new members is 15 years younger than existing members
• R7.4 billion in reserves  
• 36.5% solvency ratio
• AA Credit rating 

Plans

Bonitas offers a wide range of plans that are simple and easy to understand. There are 15 options in five categories: Savings, traditional, hospital, Edge (virtual) and income-based.

Increases 

• A three-month price freeze will apply in 2023: From January to March contributions remain the same as 2022
• The average increase, across all plans, is 5.9%. However, factoring in the three-month price freeze, the average increase drops to 4.8%
• Plan increases range from 0% to 9.4%
• BonStart has a 0% increase
• By applying very low contribution increases since December 2020, the Scheme has effectively passed R1.4 billion in savings back to members
• Nine plans are priced under R3 000 per main member’s monthly contribution
• The most popular plans, with newer members, include Primary, Primary Select, BonFit, BonEssential, BonEssential Select, BonStart and BonStart Plus

Note: Contributions from April 2023  

What’s new?

• Bonitas has introduced a mental health app – in partnership with Panda. It’s a free to download mental health and wellness mobile app that uses scientifically validated assessment tools and appropriate treatment to provide the right care at the right time. Panda will be available from October 2022
• The Hospital-at-Home initiative has been successful and the offering is being extended to include:
  • A programme for re-admissions
  • Screening and disease prevention
  • Alternative to stepdown facilities
  • Kidney dialysis at home
  • An improved programme for chronic kidney disease
• Restructured benefits are unlimited for PMB cancers across all plans. With a set Rand amount where non-PMB cancer cover is available. Once the Rand limit is exhausted, a 20% co-payment will apply 
• Cover for two doses of the vaccine Human Papillomavirus (HPV) for girls aged between 9 -14 years, on BonComprehensive, BonClassic, BonComplete, Standard and Standard Select
• Introduction of one booster vaccine for Pertussis or whooping cough, per beneficiary aged between 7 and 64 years on Standard, Standard Select, BonComplete, BonClassic and BonComprehensive.
• The savings component across the savings plans have been increased from between 5% to 9.4% and amended rules allow members to use their savings as they deem fit for the new year 
• The Benefit Booster – introduced in 2022 which unlocked R446million in additional benefits  – has been adjusted according to utilisation

Footprint and networks

Our footprint extends across all 9 provinces, with our membership concentrated in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape.

• A GP network of over 4 400 
• An extensive Pharmacy network, with around 2 500 practices located in all nine provinces to dispense chronic, acute and over-the-counter medicine through Scriptpharm
• Dental network, through DENIS, provide access to around 3 000 practices across SA
• Optical network through PPN gives members access to over 2 300 practices