GEMS Beryl 2026: price and benefits
GEMS Beryl costs R1,915 a month for a member on the lowest salary band in 2026 (R1,911 per adult dependant and R1,075 per child), before the employer subsidy. It is an entry-level plan from the Government Employees Medical Scheme, open only to public service employees and their dependants.
Source: Government Employees Medical Scheme 2026 published contributions (GEMS website)Last reviewed
Contributions
Total monthly contribution by salary band, before the employer subsidy. The state pays 75% of it, and all of it on Tanzanite One for salary levels 1 to 5, up to a monthly cap that depends on how many dependants you have. What you pay yourself is therefore usually well below these figures.
| Monthly salary | Member | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under R11,462 | R1,915 | R1,911 | R1,075 |
| R11,462 to under R16,084 | R2,079 | R2,062 | R1,186 |
| R16,084 to under R27,554 | R2,399 | R2,399 | R1,346 |
| R27,554 and above | R2,881 | R2,881 | R1,635 |
Child dependants: up to 3 are charged, and a child must be under 21. Adult dependants are charged the adult rate.
In-hospital
- Partial cover: Comprehensive in-hospital (GEMS network hospitals)
- Restriction: Annual hospital limit applies (sub-limit)
- Restriction: 2026: Advanced radiology sub-limit R15,183/family
- Restriction: 30% co-payment for voluntary non-network admission
Day-to-day
- Partial cover: GEMS network GP visits (subject to specialist referral rules)
- Network pathology, radiology, and allied services
- Outpatient specialist visits: referral required
Chronic conditions
- All 27 PMB chronic conditions
- 3 additional conditions: Anxiety, ADHD, Depression
- Via GEMS CDBP — network pharmacies and providers
Dental
- Root canal: 1 per beneficiary/year (network dentist only)
- Plastic dentures every 4 years (21+ only)
- No metal frame dentures. No orthodontics.
Optical
- Basic optical benefit — frames and lenses (sub-limits)
Maternity
- Partial cover: GEMS Maternity Programme: antenatal + postnatal visits
Wellness & extras
- Partial cover: G-Health screening + flu vaccination
- 24/7 emergency support line
FAIS Disclaimer
This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice. Consult a registered financial adviser (FSP) before making any medical aid decision. Contributions shown are current-year (2026) figures from official scheme sources.
Compare GEMS Beryl with
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Frequently Asked Questions
Before the employer subsidy, GEMS Beryl costs R1,915 for a member on salaries under R11,462; R2,079 for a member on salaries from R11,462 to under R16,084; R2,399 for a member on salaries from R16,084 to under R27,554; R2,881 for a member on salaries of R27,554 and above. Adult dependants and children are charged at the rates on the plan page for the same band.
The state pays 75% of it, and all of it on Tanzanite One for salary levels 1 to 5, up to a monthly cap that depends on how many dependants you have. Use the GEMS calculator to see your own figure for your salary level and family size.
GEMS network (public & private). Comprehensive in-hospital (GEMS network hospitals). Annual hospital limit applies (sub-limit). 2026: Advanced radiology sub-limit R15,183/family. 30% co-payment for voluntary non-network admission.