14/10/2026
Primary healthcare is being revisited in South Africa. What could this mean for private practitioners?
The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) is currently working on the costing of a proposed Primary Healthcare service benefits package as part of the broader review of Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs).
Medical schemes have been asked to submit membership and claims data covering 2023–2025 by 15 October 2026.
For doctors and dentists, this is an important development.
A stronger focus on primary healthcare could have implications for:
• The services covered by medical schemes
• Healthcare financing and affordability
• The role of primary healthcare practitioners
• Referrals and continuity of care
• Provider tariffs and contracting
• Patient access to healthcare
It is important to understand that this is still a review and costing process. A final Primary Healthcare benefits package has not yet been approved.
So what exactly is being reviewed? What could it mean for private practitioners? What should doctors and dentists be watching as the process develops?
Our latest SAMDP blog unpacks the issue and explains why it matters.
Read the full article: https://samdp.co.za/primary-healthcare-benefits-review/
For the official CMS information, visit:
https://www.medicalschemes.co.za/latest-publication/circular-26-of-2026-request-for-membership-and-claims-data-for-the-costing-of-the-proposed-primary-healthcare-service-benefits-package
The broader CMS PMB review document is also useful:https://www.medicalschemes.co.za/download/2094/pmb-review/15498/pmb-review-consultative-doc.pdf