Health insurance in Zimbabwe — medical aid

Short answerChecked 31 October 2026

Private health cover in Zimbabwe is provided by medical aid societies: associations that take subscriptions from members to pay their medical and dental expenses (Medical Services Act [Chapter 15:13]). No one may run a medical aid society unless it is registered (section 9). Since 24 April 2026 the Insurance and Pensions Commission Amendment Act also gives IPEC the power to register and supervise medical aid societies. The societies people search for most are CIMAS and PSMAS.

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Answers come from the law, the regulator and the insurers' own documents, with the source under each answer. General information, not advice.

Does the cover include outpatient care?How do waiting periods work?What should I check before I buy?

Who regulates medical aid

Medical Services Act [Chapter 15:13], in force since 9 February 2001: "no person shall establish or conduct a medical aid society unless it is registered" (s 9(1)); the application goes to the Secretary of the Ministry responsible for health, who checks that the minimum cover is adequate and that there is adequate financial provision (s 9(5)), and may cancel a registration (s 10) (ZimLII).
Insurance and Pensions Commission Amendment Act, 2026, in effect from 24 April 2026: IPEC's functions now include registering "medical aid societies" and supervising them and their associates (new section 4(1)(a) and (c)) (Act, IPEC Circular 13 of 2026). IPEC says it is "working on modalities for a seamless transition".

How to compare medical aid packages

Ask for the package rules: the annual global limit, the limits per benefit, and the waiting periods. CIMAS defines a waiting period as "the time frame before certain benefits become available after joining" (CIMAS).
Check the currency: societies sell US dollar packages and local-currency packages (CIMAS "Secure (USD)", PSMAS "USD Products").
Check the network: which hospitals, doctors and pharmacies accept the card without a cash payment.
Read how claims are refunded and how long it takes (CIMAS: subscriber claims every two weeks, by bank transfer only).

Society by society: medical aid societies compared · CIMAS · PSMAS.

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Frequently asked questions

Who regulates medical aid in Zimbabwe?

Medical aid societies must be registered under the Medical Services Act [Chapter 15:13] (Ministry of Health). Since 24 April 2026 the Insurance and Pensions Commission Amendment Act also gives IPEC the power to register and supervise them.

Is medical aid the same as health insurance?

In Zimbabwe private health cover is provided by medical aid societies, which take subscriptions from members to pay medical and dental costs. Life assurers and short-term insurers may also sell health-related policies.

Which is the best medical aid in Zimbabwe?

Tulinde does not rank medical aid societies. Compare the package limits, waiting periods, currency, network and claims process in writing.