What is a Late Joiner fee?

A late joiner penalty is a financial charge applied to individuals who:

• Are 35 years or older
• Have not been members of a registered medical scheme before April 1, 2001
• Have had a break in membership exceeding three months since April 1, 2001.

The penalty is calculated based on age and duration without coverage, with a tiered structure:

• 1-4 years: 5%
• 5-14 years: 25%