Bestmed Medical Scheme is South Africa’s largest self-administered medical scheme, with a history dating back more than 60 years.
Registered with the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) in 1971, Bestmed operates as an open medical scheme, meaning anyone can apply for membership.
According to the most recent CMS industry performance report, Bestmed has 116,599 principal members and 242,988 beneficiaries. The scheme offers three benefit ranges: Beat, Pace, and Rhythm; with a total of 14 plan options designed to suit different healthcare needs and budgets.
Yes. In line with Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) set out in the Medical Schemes Act, Bestmed covers inpatient treatment for substance use disorders. This includes:
These benefits apply across all Bestmed plans as part of PMB entitlements, although the exact way they are authorised and managed can vary slightly from plan to plan. Houghton House works directly with Bestmed to secure authorisation and ensure your rehabilitation is covered according to your scheme benefits.
Yes. Bestmed members are entitled to cover for inpatient psychiatric treatment, in line with PMB requirements. This includes up to 21 days of hospitalisation per year for qualifying psychiatric conditions. Mental health conditions covered under PMBs include:
These benefits apply across all Bestmed options, although plan-specific limits and managed care protocols may differ. Because Houghton House is dual-licensed as both a psychiatric hospital and a rehabilitation facility, all psychiatric and addiction-related admissions can be billed correctly and covered under your scheme.
Houghton House is dual-licensed as a psychiatric hospital and rehabilitation / step-down facility. We are part of the National Hospital Network (NHN), which contracts directly with Bestmed. This means your treatment is recognised, billed at scheme rates, and processed within Bestmed’s benefit rules.
We work hand-in-hand with Bestmed to make sure authorisation, reporting, and claims are handled smoothly. For you, this means your treatment is fully funded within your plan’s benefits, with no hidden shortfalls. Even if a co-payment would normally apply, Houghton House typically waives this so you can focus entirely on recovery.
Bestmed covers both addiction rehabilitation and inpatient psychiatric treatment in line with the Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) required by law. This means members are entitled to:
These entitlements apply to all Bestmed members as part of PMBs, although the way they are authorised and managed can vary slightly from plan to plan.
At Houghton House, we ensure these benefits are fully accessible. Our case management team secures pre-authorisation on your behalf, submits the required clinical motivations, and liaises directly with Bestmed so that your treatment is covered and billed correctly.
Houghton House is not currently a designated service provider (DSP) for Bestmed. However, we are a registered provider and a member of the National Hospital Network (NHN), which contracts directly with Bestmed. This means all services provided at Houghton House are billed at Bestmed’s scheme rates.
While DSP arrangements can differ depending on the benefit option, patients admitted to Houghton House for rehabilitation or psychiatric care will not face additional penalties. If a co-payment would normally apply, Houghton House typically waives the balance, ensuring your treatment is fully covered.
No referral is required. You can contact Houghton House directly to begin the admission process.
We start with a confidential assessment by one of our registered professionals. Our team submits the necessary documentation and motivation to Bestmed for pre-authorisation. We manage all the clinical coding, paperwork, and communication with the scheme so you and your family can focus fully on treatment and recovery.
No. Treatment at Houghton House is billed at Bestmed scheme rates. While some medical aids may cover only a percentage of these rates, Houghton House waives any shortfalls or co-payments so you are not left with unexpected costs. The only payment you will make is the once-off admission fee, which applies to all patients.
Bestmed requires pre-authorisation for both rehabilitation and psychiatric admissions. At Houghton House, our case management team handles this process for you. We prepare and submit the clinical motivations, treatment plans, and progress reports directly to Bestmed, ensuring your care is authorised without unnecessary delays.
Bestmed may apply a three-month general waiting period or a 12-month condition-specific waiting period for new members. During this time, hospital admissions for rehabilitation or psychiatric treatment are usually not covered except in emergencies.
Once waiting periods have passed, you are entitled to your Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs), which include cover for detox, inpatient rehabilitation, and psychiatric care. The admissions team at Houghton House will confirm whether any waiting periods apply to you before treatment begins.
At Houghton House, we make it simple for Bestmed members to access high-quality, fully covered treatment for addiction and mental health conditions.
We are:
With 30 years of experience in addiction treatment Houghton House combines trusted clinical expertise with a patient-first approach, ensuring Bestmed members can focus on recovery without financial worries.