Annual Renewal Review
Annual Employee Benefits Renewal Review
Every year, medical schemes announce new contribution increases and benefit changes, and employees get a short window to change options. An annual renewal review is a structured check of what those changes mean for your company before you accept them: the cost per employee, whether each option still fits, and whether your contribution policy still makes sense. We run the review, present the findings to your decision-makers and handle the changes that follow.
How the renewal cycle works
Most South African medical schemes renew on 1 January. Timing varies by scheme, so we track each one for you.
| When | What happens | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| August to September | Schemes finalise pricing and benefit changes | We prepare your baseline: current costs, membership profile and open issues |
| September to October | Schemes announce increases and option changes | We analyse the impact on your company and each staff grade |
| October to November | Your company decides on changes | We present findings and recommendations to HR, finance and leadership |
| November to December | Employees choose options for the new year | We run employee communication and process option changes |
| January | New contributions and benefits take effect | We check invoices and resolve any member issues |
What we review
Cost impact
The increase per option, per staff grade and in total, compared with your budget and with the market.
Option fit
Whether each option still matches how your employees use their cover, and whether new options launched this year would serve them better.
Contribution policy
Whether your subsidy or CTC model still works after the increase, and the impact of any change on take-home pay.
Gap cover
Whether your gap cover still fits your medical aid options, and how its premiums and limits have changed.
Service and claims issues
Recurring problems your employees have raised during the year, and how to fix them.
Wellness use
How well your people are using wellness benefits, and whether a corporate wellness day would help.
What you receive
- A renewal report with costs, changes and options set out clearly for decision-makers
- A recommendation on whether to stay, change options or restructure, with the reasoning behind it
- An employee communication pack explaining the changes in plain language
- Option-change admin handled by us, not your HR team
We never promise savings, because some years the right answer is to stay where you are. What we do commit to is making sure the decision is made with the full picture in front of you.
Not one of our clients yet?
You can still book a renewal review. If you decide to work with us afterwards, you can appoint us as your broker without changing scheme. See how switching your employee benefits broker works.
How it works
Baseline
We gather your current invoices, membership data and open issues.
Analysis
We model the scheme announcements against your workforce.
Recommendation
We present the findings and options to your decision-makers.
Employee communication
We explain changes to your staff through sessions and written guides.
Implementation
We process option changes and check the first invoices of the new year.
Frequently asked questions
When should we start our renewal review?
Ideally in August or September, before schemes announce their increases. That gives you time to plan and to make decisions before the option-change deadline.
Can employees change medical aid options at renewal?
Yes. Most schemes allow members to change options once a year, effective from the new benefit year. Changes outside that window are usually limited.
Can we change medical schemes at renewal?
Yes, subject to the scheme rules and notice periods. Changing schemes is a bigger decision, so we’ll compare it with the alternatives before you commit.
Do you guarantee we'll save money?
No, and you should be cautious of anyone who does. Some years the best decision is to stay where you are. Our job is to make sure that decision is an informed one.
Is there a fee for the renewal review?
No. Broker commission is paid by the schemes, so the review is part of our service at no extra cost to your company.
Related services
Group Medical Aid
Scheme comparison, negotiation and admin for companies with 50+ employees.
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