In the early 2000s, South Africa achieved remarkable progress in the area of financial inclusion for lower-income households, specifically in the banking and, to a lesser degree, insurance markets. Limited progress had been made in expanding medical schemes (government’s chosen vehicle for private health financing) to more South Africans. While it may be fair to say that the higher income market for medical schemes was saturated, middle to lower income groups remained excluded.

This 2009 study tackled the demand-side of the market for medical schemes in South Africa. The analysis is presented in the context of how to extend access to health services to more South Africans.