A year after opening its doors to the entire consumer goods industry, the Consumer Goods Medical Scheme (CGMS) is redefining what a healthcare model built around the specific needs of one of South Africa’s largest and most diverse sectors can achieve.

Previously an employer-specific scheme, CGMS’s transformation has unlocked quality, affordable healthcare that was previously unavailable on the open market. “We built CGMS around the real needs of consumer goods employees and the response has exceeded our expectations,” says Principal Officer Andre Koekemoer.

Being an industry-specific medical scheme enables CGMS to respond directly to the sector's health and financial pressures, delivering practical, relevant coverage through four benefit options, with key account managers supporting simplified claims and benefit navigation. CGMS’s governance structure actively involves members and employers, creating a feedback loop that keeps the scheme responsive and sustainable, while eliminating the frustrations of an open medical scheme.

Within its first year, the scheme has already received regulatory approval to launch two new savings options, expanding choice, flexibility and control for members.

For employers, CGMS strikes a rare balance between thoughtful innovation, practical care, and cost management. Proactive wellness programmes and smart benefit structures support productivity and employee retention while ensuring affordability. From small and medium-sized enterprises to larger corporate enterprise-level clients, companies get sustainable healthcare that truly works for their workforce.

Employees see the difference daily. CGMS offers a comprehensive range of benefits across its options – from unlimited GP visits within the Universal Healthcare network on the Base option to chronic medication and private hospital benefits that provide peace of mind when it matters most. Members seeking greater flexibility can choose from the product range, which includes options that offer a broader provider choice, comprehensive chronic medication benefits and continued access to private hospitals. With virtual consultations, AI-powered health checks, easily accessible member medical records and 24/7 nurse support, CGMS ensures that quality care is always within reach – anytime, anywhere.   

“As we enter our second year as an industry-specific scheme, we remain focused on growing responsibly and innovating with purpose, spurred on by the signs of positive change we are already seeing,” concludes Koekemoer.

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