GEMS medical aid plans and prices
Every GEMS option for 2026, from R1,698 a month for a main member on the lowest salary band, before the employer subsidy, with contributions for adult and child dependants. Government Employees Medical Scheme pays providers at the GEMS Scheme Rate.
Source: Government Employees Medical Scheme 2026 published contributions (GEMS website)Last reviewed
- 2026 contributions from
- R1,698/ month
- on the lowest salary band, before the employer subsidy
- Plan options
- 6
- Pays providers at
- GEMS Scheme Rate
2026 monthly contributions
Contributions are per person per month. Where a plan charges by income, the range covers the lowest to the highest salary band. These are total contributions 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. Most members therefore pay considerably less than the figures below. The comparison explorer shows the amount after subsidy.
| Plan | Main | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive | |||
| Emerald ValueGEMS network (public & private) | R3,705 – R4,593 | R2,831 – R3,531 | R1,377 – R1,721 |
| EmeraldAny GEMS-registered hospital | R4,425 – R5,491 | R3,371 – R4,210 | R1,643 – R2,053 |
| OnyxAny GEMS-registered hospital (full private) | R7,673 – R8,621 | R5,874 – R6,626 | R2,307 – R2,797 |
| Saver | |||
| RubyREO network (preferred) | R3,960 – R4,880 | R2,970 – R3,680 | R1,530 – R1,895 |
| Entry | |||
| Tanzanite OneGEMS network only | R1,698 – R2,881 | R1,341 – R2,881 | R731 – R1,635 |
| BerylGEMS network (public & private) | R1,915 – R2,881 | R1,911 – R2,881 | R1,075 – R1,635 |
Choosing a GEMS plan
Restricted to South African public service employees. Income-banded contributions with government employer subsidy (75%, or 100% for Level 1-5 on Tanzanite One). Out-of-pocket capped by DPSA limits.
Price is only half the decision. A cheaper plan usually means a smaller hospital network, less day-to-day cover, or both. Open a plan above for its benefits, or put two or three side by side to see where they differ.
Other schemes
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 6 GEMS plan options in our 2026 data.
GEMS Tanzanite One at R1,698 a month for a main member on the lowest income or salary band, before the employer subsidy. The most expensive is GEMS Onyx at R7,673 on the lowest income or salary band.
Restricted to South African public service employees. Income-banded contributions with government employer subsidy (75%, or 100% for Level 1-5 on Tanzanite One). Out-of-pocket capped by DPSA limits.
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.