Bonitas Medical Fund is one of South Africa’s largest open medical schemes, offering a range of plans to suit different budgets and healthcare needs. This guide covers the available plans, current pricing, and all the contact information you need.
Bonitas Medical Aid Plans, Prices And Contact Number (Current Year)
Overview of Bonitas Medical Aid
Bonitas offers a wide portfolio of plans, from entry-level hospital plans to comprehensive options with extensive day-to-day cover. The scheme is known for its network of designated service providers (DSPs) and preventative care benefits like the Benefit Booster.
Key features across plans:
– 27 Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) covered in full
– Access to network GPs, specialists, and hospitals
– Virtual care consultations
– Chronic medicine coverage (including depression)
– HIV/AIDS programme with unlimited cover upon registration
– Wellness and preventative screening benefits
1. Entry-Level Plans
These plans are designed for young, healthy individuals or those who want affordable cover for hospitalisation and basic day-to-day needs.
BonStart Plus
Monthly Contributions:
| Member Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Main member | R2 040 |
| Adult dependant | R1 940 |
| Child dependant | R899 |
Key benefits include:
– Unlimited hospital cover at network hospitals (R1 240 co-payment per admission, except for PMB emergencies)
– Unlimited GP and specialist consultations (100% of Bonitas Rate)
– Unlimited blood tests and X-rays (100% of Bonitas Rate)
– Virtual Care GP and Nurse consultations (unlimited)
– Maternity benefits: 6 antenatal consultations, 2 ultrasound scans, 1 amniocentesis
– Childhood immunisations up to age 12
– Benefit Booster available (R1 160 per family after wellness screening)
Limits to note:
– MRIs and CT scans: R14 090 per family (R2 800 co-payment per scan unless PMB)
– GP-referred acute medicine: R3 450 per family
– Over-the-counter medicine: R860 per family per year
Compare the costs: For a family of four, BonStart Plus would cost approximately R6 819 per month (2 adults, 2 children).
BonStart
Monthly Contributions:
| Member Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Main member | R1 603 |
| Adult dependant | R1 519 |
| Child dependant | R689 |
Key benefits include:
– Unlimited hospital cover at network hospitals (R1 850 co-payment per admission, except for PMB emergencies)
– Unlimited GP and specialist consultations (100% Bonitas Rate for network, 70% for non-network)
– Unlimited X-rays (100% Bonitas Rate)
– Blood tests limited to R32 120 per family
– Maternity benefits similar to BonStart Plus
Key differences from BonStart Plus: Blood tests have a limit (R32 120) and non-network specialists are covered at 70% rather than 100%.
BonEssential Select
Monthly Contributions:
| Member Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Main member | R2 345 |
| Adult dependant | R1 718 |
| Child dependant | R774 |
This plan offers a balanced mix of hospital and day-to-day cover, with a focus on network providers to manage costs. It includes the Back and Neck Programme, which has been extended to cover shoulder and knee pain treatment as well.
2. Mid-Range Plans
BonCap
Bonitas describes BonCap as an “income-based option” designed for lower-income earners. It provides essential hospital cover with affordability as the primary focus. Contact Bonitas directly for specific pricing as it is income-dependent.
BonClassic
This plan offers a broader network and higher day-to-day limits than the entry-level plans. It is suitable for families who need regular GP visits and some specialist care.
BonSave
BonSave includes a medical savings account component, allowing members to pay for out-of-hospital expenses from their own savings pool while still having comprehensive hospital cover.
3. Comprehensive Plans
BonComplete
This plan offers extensive hospital cover with minimal co-payments and higher limits for specialist consultations and allied healthcare services.
BonComprehensive
Monthly Contributions:
| Member Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Main member | R12 509 |
| Adult dependant | R11 796 |
| Child dependant | R2 548 |
Key benefits include:
– Comprehensive hospital cover with a savings component (15% of contribution)
– Insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring device benefit (for type 1 diabetics under 18)
– Back, Neck, Shoulder, and Knee Pain Programme
– Benign Prostate Hypertrophy added as a chronic condition
– In-hospital dental treatment paid from savings or above-threshold benefit
For a family of four: A full family would pay approximately R29 401 per month (2 adults, 2 children).
4. Digital-First Plans
Bonitas refers to BonStart and BonStart Plus as “digital-first plans,” aimed at younger, tech-savvy members who prefer virtual consultations and app-based healthcare support. These plans offer unlimited Virtual Care GP and Nurse consultations and encourage the use of digital tools for claims and pre-authorisations.
Summary Table of Plans and Prices
| Plan Name | Main Member | Adult Dependant | Child Dependant | Plan Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BonStart | R1 603 | R1 519 | R689 | Entry-Level |
| BonStart Plus | R2 040 | R1 940 | R899 | Entry-Level |
| BonEssential Select | R2 345 | R1 718 | R774 | Entry-Level |
| BonCap | Contact Bonitas | Contact Bonitas | Contact Bonitas | Income-Based |
| BonClassic | Contact Bonitas | Contact Bonitas | Contact Bonitas | Mid-Range |
| BonSave | Contact Bonitas | Contact Bonitas | Contact Bonitas | Mid-Range |
| BonComplete | Contact Bonitas | Contact Bonitas | Contact Bonitas | Comprehensive |
| BonComprehensive | R12 509 | R11 796 | R2 548 | Comprehensive |
Note: Bonitas offers a total of 16 plans. Prices for plans not listed above can be obtained by contacting Bonitas directly.
Contact Number and Ways to Reach Bonitas
General Enquiries and Member Support
Phone: 0860 002 108
This is the primary contact number for general enquiries, membership updates, benefit queries, and pre-authorisations for most plans. For BonCap and BonCore members, a separate number is available: 0861 239 333.
Physical Address
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 37-39 Conrad Street, Roodepoort, 1724 |
| City | Roodepoort, Gauteng, South Africa |
You can also submit claims or other documents in person at one of Bonitas’s walk-in centres.
Email Addresses
| Purpose | Email Address |
|---|---|
| General claims submission | claims@bonitas.co.za (bonitas.co.za in Bing) |
| Hospital pre-authorisation (most plans) | hospital@bonitas.co.za (bonitas.co.za in Bing) |
| Hospital pre-authorisation (BonCap & BonCore) | PHAauthorisations@bonitas.co.za (bonitas.co.za in Bing) |
Emergency Medical Services
Bonitas SOS (Emergency Number): 0860 555 505
Europ Assistance is the designated service provider for Bonitas SOS. This is for medical emergencies only. Place the Bonitas SOS stickers on your car window and keep this number saved on your phone. For non-emergency SOS queries, email customercare@europassistance.co.za.
Postal Address for Claims
Post your claims to: Bonitas Claims Department, PO Box 74, Vereeniging, 1930
Online Portal
You can manage your membership, submit claims, and access benefits through the Bonitas website: www.bonitas.co.za
How to Get the Most Value from Your Bonitas Plan
Bonitas provides several ways to stretch your medical aid benefits further.
Use Network Providers
Bonitas negotiates special rates with GPs, specialists, and hospitals on the network. Using these network providers helps you avoid co-payments and makes your day-to-day benefits last longer.
Activate Your Benefit Booster
Complete a wellness screening (at a participating pharmacy or Bonitas wellness day) and a mental health assessment. This unlocks the Benefit Booster — additional benefits for acute medicine, GP consultations, and non-surgical procedures.
Register Chronic Conditions
If you have a chronic condition (diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, depression, etc.), register it with Bonitas. Payment for chronic medicine will then come from Risk rather than your savings, and using a Designated Service Provider (DSP) like Marara Pharmacy or Pharmacy Direct helps avoid co-payments.
Join Care Programmes
Bonitas offers dedicated programmes for managing serious conditions like cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and mental health. These programmes help you use your benefits correctly to get the best care.
Use Generics
Generic medicine has the same dosage, safety, and effectiveness as brand-name medicine but costs 30-80% less. Ask your pharmacist about generics.
Pre-authorise Hospital Stays
Always get pre-authorisation before any hospital admission. This ensures your stay is covered. Call 0860 002 108 (or 0861 239 333 for BonCap/BonCore) or email the relevant address. Ask about any co-payments that may apply and how to avoid them.
Use Virtual Care
Bonitas offers unlimited Virtual Care GP and Nurse consultations on most plans. This is a convenient way to get medical advice without visiting a doctor in person, saving both time and your day-to-day benefits.
How to Choose the Right Plan
Bonitas Principal Officer Lee Callakoppen advises that the key is choosing a plan that works for your life, not someone else’s.
Ask yourself:
– Do I only go to the doctor when absolutely necessary, or do I rely on regular check-ups and ongoing specialist care?
– Do I have children or am I planning a pregnancy?
– Where do I live (urban vs. remote area affects network availability)?
– Do I have any chronic conditions that require regular medicine?
Bonitas allows members to choose from a wide range of plans — from income-based options like BonCap, to digital-first plans for tech-savvy members, to comprehensive plans for families and those with chronic conditions.
Related:
- Discovery Medical Aid Plans Prices
- Top 10 Highest Paying Medical Jobs In South Africa
- Momentum Medical Aid Plans Prices
Summary: Key Takeaways
| What You Need | Where to Find It |
|---|---|
| General enquiries & support | 0860 002 108 |
| Emergency medical assistance | 0860 555 505 (Bonitas SOS) |
| Email for claims | claims@bonitas.co.za |
| Hospital pre-authorisation | hospital@bonitas.co.za |
| Website | www.bonitas.co.za |
| Physical address | 37-39 Conrad Street, Roodepoort |
| Cheapest entry plan | BonStart from R1 603 (main member) |
| Comprehensive family plan | BonComprehensive from R12 509 (main member) |
Disclaimer: Prices and benefits are subject to change. The information provided is based on current published rates. Always verify current pricing and benefits directly with Bonitas Medical Fund before joining or switching plans.