In response to soaring medical scheme costs, Profmed CEO Craig Comrie advocates for a collective focus on preventive healthcare and education. With several major medical schemes announcing double-digit increases for 2025, Comrie believes health literacy and preventative care is the only long-term solution to help knock down healthcare costs for all South Africans.
Comrie points out that rising medical scheme prices are largely due to what is known as ‘healthcare inflation’, which is historically a few percentage points above traditional inflation. He says this is exacerbated by issues like escalating healthcare service costs, a rise in chronic illnesses, and an ageing population, to name a few.
“The burden we place on the healthcare system as a society reflects the cost of healthcare,” says Comrie. “When we’re healthy, the system is less burdened, so we pose less of a risk for insurers – a recipe for more accessible and affordable healthcare.”
According to Comrie, while the medical scheme industry wishes it could lower the cost immediately, the only long-term solution is to nurture a healthier nation through education and motivation.
