Fedhealth and Sanlam to Launch Simplified Medical Aid Scheme in October

South African medical scheme administrator Fedhealth and financial services group Sanlam plan to introduce a redesigned medical aid product in October 2025, aiming to address widespread consumer frustration with opaque benefit structures and unexpected co-payments. The forthcoming open scheme, endorsed by Sanlam and administered by Fedhealth, is built around five stated principles—simplicity, trust, affordability, customisation and inclusivity. Marketing material indicates members will receive clearly defined benefits, upfront cost disclosures and a greater ability to tailor cover levels, in contrast with traditional plans that rely on dense jargon and hidden exclusions. The partners say the product will also streamline enrollment and claims processing to improve the customer experience, though detailed pricing, benefit tables and regulatory approvals have not yet been disclosed.