In short: Ingwe is Momentum Medical Scheme’s entry-level option. Momentum advertises it from R645 a month, with the actual contribution set by your income and family size and by the hospital network you pick. It gives hospital cover with no overall annual limit, unlimited network GP visits (pre-authorisation from the 11th visit), chronic cover for the 26 Chronic Disease List conditions, and basic dental, eye and specialist benefits. You must use network providers. Get a quote from Momentum before you sign. Not financial advice.
Who Ingwe suits
Momentum pitches Ingwe at first-time earners and students who want real medical aid, not just a hospital plan, at the lowest price the scheme offers. It works best if you are happy to use a set network of doctors and hospitals. If you want to choose any GP or specialist freely, look at a higher option instead.
Step 1: Pick your hospital network (this sets your price)
When you join, you choose one of three hospital providers. Your choice also decides where you get day-to-day and chronic care:
| Hospital choice | Day-to-day and chronic care from |
|---|---|
| Connect Network hospitals | State facilities, unless otherwise indicated |
| Ingwe Network of hospitals | Ingwe Primary Care Network |
| Any private hospital | Ingwe Active Network |
The narrower the network, the lower the contribution. The Connect choice is usually cheapest but sends most out-of-hospital care to State clinics, so check that works for you.
What Ingwe covers in hospital
- Hospital accounts: covered in full at the rate Momentum agreed with the hospital group, when the admission is authorised.
- Specialists in hospital: paid up to 100% of the Momentum Medical Scheme Rate. Specialists who charge more can leave you with a shortfall.
- Maternity confinements and neonatal intensive care: no annual limit. Emergency caesareans are covered.
- Emergency transport: Netcare 911 in South Africa, no annual limit.
- Rehabilitation and step-down care: R17,500 per beneficiary (combined), subject to case management.
- MRI, CT and other specialised scans, and organ transplants: limited to Prescribed Minimum Benefits, mostly at State facilities or Connect hospitals depending on your choice.
- Take-home medicine: 7 days’ supply after discharge.
Day-to-day benefits
- GP visits: unlimited at your network GP. From the 11th visit you need pre-authorisation from the scheme.
- Virtual GP: 3 virtual consultations per beneficiary per year, including Hello Doctor, with scripts where needed.
- Specialists out of hospital: 2 visits per family per year, up to R1,425 a visit and R2,850 per family per year.
- Dentistry: 1 consultation per beneficiary per year plus extractions, fillings and x-rays. Braces and other specialised dentistry are not covered.
- Eye care: 1 eye test and 1 pair of standard clear or bifocal lenses with a standard frame per beneficiary every 2 years.
- Medicine: prescribed medicine from the scheme’s formulary (medicine list).
- Mental health: limited to Prescribed Minimum Benefits at State facilities.
There is no built-in medical savings account. Momentum sells HealthSaver+ as a separate add-on if you want extra day-to-day cash.
Chronic cover
Ingwe covers the 26 Chronic Disease List conditions under Prescribed Minimum Benefits, such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma. You must register the condition with the scheme and get your medicine from your network provider (Ingwe Primary Care Network, Ingwe Active Network or State, depending on your choice). HIV antiretroviral treatment is covered through a preferred provider, up to R42,300 per family.
Before you sign: what to check
- Ask for a written quote for your exact income band and family. The “from R645” price is the lowest band only.
- Find your nearest network GP and hospital on Momentum’s provider search before you choose a network.
- Ask about waiting periods and late-joiner penalties, which can apply if you have not been on medical aid before.
- If you use a specialist often, compare the R2,850 family limit with what you actually spend.
- Remember that Momentum Multiply, HealthSaver+ and GapCover+ are separate Momentum products, not scheme benefits.
How to join or get help
Get a quote on the Momentum Ingwe Option page or ask for a call back there. Existing members can call Momentum Medical Scheme on 0860 117 859 (Monday to Friday 08:00 to 17:00, Saturday 08:00 to 16:00). For a medical emergency, Netcare 911 is on 082 911.
Last checked: 9 October 2026 against Momentum’s Ingwe Option page (2026 benefits). Benefits and contributions change each January; confirm with Momentum. Not financial or medical advice.