South Africa prepares for next phase of the NHI – which includes ‘mandatory pre-payment’ Subscribe The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) says that the government’s planned National Health Insurance is in full development, with plans to move to phase 3 of the programme from next year. In its 2021/2022 annual performance plan, the CMS said that phase 3 will include mandatory pre-payment of the new scheme, contracting for accredited private hospital and specialist services, and finalisation and implementation of the NHI Act. The NHI Bill was presented to and approved by cabinet in July 2019, and has been presented to parliament’s health portfolio committee.