Platinum Health Medical Scheme
Restricted scheme · For platinum mining sector employees · Self-administered since 2001 · 7.0% 2026 increase
Overview
Platinum Health Medical Scheme is a registered non-profit restricted medical scheme regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes. It originated from the Platmed Benefit Society (Anglo-American Group) and Mine Healthcare Benefits, which combined in 2000 — Platinum Health launched as a self-administered scheme in 2001. Membership is restricted to employees in the platinum mining sector and their qualifying dependants.
Source: Platinum Health website; FA News, "Platinum Health Medical Scheme announces increased benefits for 2026".
Membership Profile
Platinum Health covers employees in the platinum mining sector and qualifying dependants. The Scheme operates its own clinics and pharmacies as part of its DSP network.
Financial Health
Platinum Health reports solvency above the 25% statutory minimum. 2026 contribution increase 7.0% — below the open-scheme market average.
Plans & Options
Platinum Health offers benefit options including PlatComprehensive. For 2026, the Overall Annual Limit was restructured into a dedicated Hospital Annual Limit, with sub-limit benefits no longer impacting the overall annual limit — a structural change that unlocks approximately 36% additional benefit value for members.
Source: PlatComprehensive 2024 Option Brochure; FA News 2026 launch coverage.
Key Benefits & Differentiators
2026 benefit restructure. Conversion of the Overall Annual Limit into a dedicated Hospital Annual Limit gives members approximately 36% more usable benefit.
Own clinical infrastructure. Platinum Health operates its own clinics, pharmacies and clinical services across its network — an unusual model among South African medical schemes.
New 2026 vaccines. Pneumococcal (for adults) and RSV vaccines added to the benefit set.
All plans cover the 27 PMB Chronic Disease List conditions.
Wellness & Loyalty
Standard preventive-care benefits on plans. The Scheme integrates with mining-sector occupational health programmes.
Claims & Service
Claims via member portal, email, walk-in centres, and a WhatsApp platform that allows benefit checks, claim submission, membership card access, and real-time updates. From 2026, WhatsApp adds welcome-pack access, feedback surveys, member-detail updates, authorisation requests and chronic-medicine ordering.
How the Scheme Is Set Up
Structurally suited only to platinum-mining-sector employees and their dependants. Within that population, the scheme's own clinics and pharmacies make it particularly relevant to members located near Platinum Health's operating regions.
Eligibility & Continuation
Who can join: Employees in the platinum mining sector qualifying through participating employers, plus qualifying dependants.
On leaving the mining sector: Continuation rules apply for retirees. Non-retiring leavers generally need to transfer to another scheme.