POLMED medical aid 2026

POLMED: the medical scheme of the SAPS

The CMS register at 31 March 2026 lists the South African Police Service Medical Scheme (POLMED) as restricted (CMS Annual Report 2025/26). POLMED describes itself as "a closed medical scheme registered under the Medical Schemes Act (Act 131 of 1998)", registration number 374; half of its trustees are elected by members and half appointed by the National Police Commissioner (About POLMED, 2026 guide).

Only serving SAPS members and their dependants can apply: the application asks for a letter of appointment or SAP96 (2026 guide). The guide refers to "the Administrator" and to Medscheme for recoveries, and every scheme e-mail address ends in @medscheme.co.za.

POLMED contributions from 1 April 2026

The guide prints two figures for each band: what the member pays and the full contribution before the SAPS subsidy. Main member, a month, 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 (2026 guide, pp. 38 and 57); adult dependants pay the same as the main member:

Child dependants, lowest to highest band:

From January to March 2026 the 2025/26 table (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026) applied. The guide adds that students aged 21 to 24 pay child rates, and adult subsidised rates from 25.

Marine or Aquarium: the hospital rules

Source: POLMED 2026 guide. PMB conditions are paid in full on both options at the designated providers: Prescribed Minimum Benefits.

POLMED from April 2027

POLMED has published its Benefit Guide 2027, marked "Scheme rules are subject to approval by CMS", with tables from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2028: for example the Marine member share starts at R546 (income up to R8,365) and the Aquarium member share at R135. It states no average percentage. Until 1 April 2027 the 2026 table above applies.

Joining and claiming

To apply, send the application form with your letter of appointment or SAP96, ID, proof of income, three months of bank statements and any previous scheme certificate to [email protected], fax 0861 888 110, post (Private Bag X16, Arcadia 0007) or a regional walk-in branch (2026 guide, forms). A certificate from your last scheme limits the waiting periods it may apply (s 29A; see medical aid in South Africa).

Claims must be submitted within 120 days of the service: [email protected], fax 011 758 7660, post or a walk-in branch (Scheme Rule 15, 2026 guide). Call centre: 0860 765 633 (0860 POLMED) (About POLMED).

Complaints and appeals

1. Complain to POLMED first, in writing, and keep the reference number: write to [email protected], fax 0860 104 114 or call 0860 765 633 (2026 guide).
2. If the answer does not settle it, use the scheme's internal dispute process (the scheme's rules require one, s 29(1)(j) of the Medical Schemes Act).
3. Then complain to the Council for Medical Schemes: e-mail [email protected] with the CMS complaint form, the scheme's reply and your accounts (CMS complaints procedure). Under section 47 the scheme has 30 days to answer the CMS; a ruling can be appealed within 3 months (s 48). How it works: Council for Medical Schemes.

Sources

1. POLMED — 2026 Benefits and Contribution Guide (Member Guide): annual member contributions 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, Marine and Aquarium (scheme's own PDF, pp. 38 and 57, seen 31 October 2026)
2. POLMED — Benefit Guide 2027: contributions 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2028, 'Scheme rules are subject to approval by CMS' (scheme's own PDF)
3. POLMED — About POLMED: closed scheme, registration number 374, Board of Trustees (seen 31 October 2026)
4. POLMED — Forms and downloads (seen 31 October 2026)
5. Council for Medical Schemes — Annual Report 2025/26 (copy tabled in Parliament, hosted by PMG): register of medical schemes at 31 March 2026, solvency, complaints
6. Council for Medical Schemes — Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998 and Regulations (consolidated copy, Web Archive)
7. Council for Medical Schemes — The Complaints Procedure (Web Archive)