Discovery vs Bonitas vs Momentum, 2026
Of the three, Bonitas has the cheapest plan that costs the same at every income for one adult (BonCore, R1,275 a month), and Bonitas for a family of four (BonCore, R5,100 a month). The tables below compare the three schemes on price, hospital plans and dependant rules, using our 2026 plan data.
Last reviewed: Sources: Discovery Health website, Bonitas website, Momentum Health website
Cheapest option per scheme
“Same at every income” plans have one price. Salary-banded plans (KeyCare, BonCap, Ingwe) are shown at their lowest income band, which only applies up to the income stated, so they are listed apart.
| Discovery | Bonitas | Momentum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 adult, same at every income | Active SmartR1,350 a month | BonCoreR1,275 a month | Momentum EvolveR2,029 a month |
| Family of four, same at every income | Active SmartR5,400 a month | BonCoreR5,100 a month | Momentum Custom — Assoc/StateR6,373 a month |
| 1 adult, cheapest incl. salary-banded | KeyCare Start RegionalR1,278 a monthincome up to R10,950 a month | BonCoreR1,275 a month | Momentum IngweR645 a monthincome up to R1,550 a month |
| Family of four, cheapest incl. salary-banded | KeyCare CoreR3,760 a monthincome up to R10,250 a month | BonCapR5,090 a monthincome up to R11,930 a month | Momentum IngweR2,452 a monthincome up to R1,550 a month |
Scheme rules side by side
| Discovery | Bonitas | Momentum | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan options | 25 | 16 | 23 |
| Hospital plans | 5 | 3 | 7 |
| Pays providers at | Discovery Health Rate (DHR) | Bonitas Scheme Rate | Momentum Health Rate |
| Child dependants covered | under 21 | under 21 | under 21 |
| Children and plan notes | All plans: 3 children max (under 21). KeyCare plans are income-banded and network-only. | All plans: 3 children max (under 21). | Most plans: 3 children max (under 21). Ingwe plans charge ALL children with no cap. |
Hospital plans compared
Hospital plans pay for admissions and have little or no day-to-day cover, so they are the cheapest like-for-like way to compare the three schemes. Monthly contribution for one adult and for a family of four.
| Plan | Hospital network | 1 adult | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery | |||
| Essential Delta Core | Delta | R2,681 | R6,851 |
| Classic Delta Core | Delta | R3,126 | R8,091 |
| Coastal Core | Coastal | R3,250 | R8,270 |
| Essential Core | Any | R3,356 | R8,567 |
| Classic Core | Any | R3,905 | R10,112 |
| Bonitas | |||
| BonEssential Select | Network | R2,345 | R5,611 |
| BonEssential | Network | R2,747 | R6,553 |
| Hospital Standard | Network | R3,561 | R9,266 |
| Momentum | |||
| Momentum Evolve | Network | R2,029 | R8,116 |
| Momentum Custom — Assoc/State | Associated | R2,585 | R6,373 |
| Momentum Custom — Any/State | Any | R3,295 | R8,196 |
| Momentum Custom — Assoc/Assoc | Associated | R3,334 | R8,276 |
| Momentum Custom — Assoc/Any | Associated | R3,749 | R9,351 |
| Momentum Custom — Any/Assoc | Any | R3,953 | R9,916 |
| Momentum Custom — Any/Any | Any | R4,472 | R11,253 |
What this comparison leaves out
- Benefits. Prices are contributions only. Day-to-day limits, chronic cover, oncology and maternity benefits differ plan by plan; open a plan to see them.
- Annual increases. Figures are the 2026 contributions. This page does not show year-on-year increases; check each scheme for its announced increase.
- Not modelled. Waiting periods, late-joiner penalties, underwriting and co-payments. See our methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Comparing plans that cost the same at every income, the cheapest for one adult in 2026 is BonCore from Bonitas at R1,275 a month. By scheme: Discovery Active Smart at R1,350, Bonitas BonCore at R1,275, Momentum Momentum Evolve at R2,029. Each scheme also has salary-banded plans that can be cheaper for lower earners.
For two adults and two children, the cheapest fixed-price plan is BonCore from Bonitas at R5,100 a month. By scheme: Discovery Active Smart at R5,400, Bonitas BonCore at R5,100, Momentum Momentum Custom — Assoc/State at R6,373.
Of the three, Momentum's Momentum Evolve is the cheapest plan in the Hospital category at R2,029 a month for one adult. Hospital plans cover in-hospital care and little else, so they are not like-for-like with comprehensive plans.
No. Discovery pays providers at the Discovery Health Rate (DHR), Bonitas pays providers at the Bonitas Scheme Rate, Momentum pays providers at the Momentum Health Rate. Each scheme sets its own rate, so "100% of scheme rate" on one plan is not the same rand amount as on another scheme's plan.
They are the 2026 monthly contributions in our plan data. Schemes announce new contributions each year, normally effective from 1 January, and we refresh the data then. Check your scheme for the current figure before you join.
No. It is an educational comparison of published contributions. Hospital network, benefits, waiting periods and your health needs matter as much as price, so speak to the scheme or a registered broker before you switch.
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.