MEDICAL AID

BONITAS Medical Fund has put a freeze on contributions until April 1 next year. Lee Callakoppen, the principal officer of Bonitas, said: “Our average increase for the year would have been 5.9%, well below the current inflation rate of 7.6%. The good news is that we’ve put a freeze on contributions for the first quarter of 2023 to offer our members some respite. This effectively means an increase of 4.8% over the 12 months. We have also shared exactly what members can expect to pay from April 1, 2023. By applying very low increases since December 2020, the scheme has effectively passed R1.4 billion in savings back to members.”