Discovery Health Medical Scheme is South Africa’s largest open medical scheme by beneficiary count and is regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS). For 2026, Discovery offers 25 plan options across five plan ranges: KeyCare, Smart Saver, Priority, Comprehensive and Executive. All Discovery plans cover Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) chronic conditions and have no overall annual limit on hospital cover. Most plans integrate with the Vitality wellness programme. Curemed is an FSCA-registered intermediary (FSP 44098) and advises on all Discovery plans.
| Plan range | Plans in this range | Often chosen by |
|---|---|---|
| KeyCare | KeyCare Start, KeyCare Plus, KeyCare Core, KeyCare Access (with network and regional variants) | Members on lower incomes wanting affordable network-based hospital cover |
| Smart Saver | Smart Plan; Saver Plans (Classic, Essential, Coastal and Delta variants) | Members wanting a medical savings account plus in-hospital cover |
| Priority | Priority Plans | Members wanting more day-to-day cover than Saver plans |
| Comprehensive | Comprehensive Plans (Classic, Essential, Coastal and Delta variants) | Members wanting extensive day-to-day cover plus the Above Threshold Benefit |
| Executive | Executive Plan | Members wanting Discovery’s most comprehensive cover with unlimited Above Threshold Benefit |
Source: discovery.co.za/medical-aid/our-medical-aid-plans (2026). Plan availability and variants are set by Discovery and can change.
Discovery Health medical aid special benefits
- Annual increases to member contributions are consistently lower than the industry average.
- All members have unrestricted access to oncology, renal and HIV management programs.
- No limits apply for hospital cover on any Discovery plan.
- The Medical Savings Account works like a bank account. What you don’t spend, you carry over to the next year.
- Discovery Vitality wellness programme offers rewards and discounts.
Discovery Medical Aid Plans:
Classic Delta Saver
- Unlimited private hospital cover in the Delta Hospital Network
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on a payment arrangement, and up to 200% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- A Medical Savings Account for your day-to-day healthcare needs
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- Cover for medical emergencies when travelling
- Additional cover from the Day-to-day Extender Benefit (DEB) when your Medical Savings Account (MSA) runs out for essential healthcare services in our network and kids casualty visits
KeyCare Start Regional
Available only in the following six locations:
Western Cape – Bellville, George;
Mpumalanga – Mbombela, Trichardt;
Limpopo – Tzaneen, Polokwane
- Cover for emergencies – Cover for emergencies in any private hospital.
- Unlimited hospital cover in the KeyCare Start Regional network hospitals
- Full cover in hospital for Specialists – Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on the KeyCare network, and up to 100% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Extensive maternity cover – Cover for comprehensive pre- and postnatal healthcare services for maternity and early childhood
- Oncology cover – Oncology treatment covered in up to 100% of the Discovery Health Rate in a state facility
- Chronic Illness Benefit – Essential cover for chronic medicine on the KeyCare medicine list for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a KeyCare Start Regional network GP
- Day-to-day benefits – GP consultations and day-to-day benefits – Unlimited virtual and face-to-face GP consultations, blood tests, X-rays or medicine if referred by the KeyCare Online Practice or the KeyCare Start Regional network GP
- Extensive maternity cover – Cover for comprehensive pre- and postnatal healthcare services for maternity and early childhood
- Oncology cover – Oncology treatment covered in up to 100% of the Discovery Health Rate in a state facility
- Chronic Illness Benefit – Essential cover for chronic medicine on the KeyCare medicine list for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a KeyCare Start Regional network GP
- Day-to-day benefits – GP consultations and day-to-day benefits – Unlimited virtual and face-to-face GP consultations, blood tests, X-rays or medicine if referred by the KeyCare Online Practice or the KeyCare Start Regional network GP
- Specialist consultations – Up to 2 specialist visits, if referred by a KeyCare Start Regional network GP
- Eye care – Cover for an eye test and glasses at a KeyCare network optometrist
- Dentistry – Cover for consultations, fillings and tooth removals at a dentist in the dentist network
KeyCare Core Plan
- Unlimited hospital cover in their Hospital Network
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on the KeyCare network, and up to 100% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
KeyCare Start
- Full cover at your chosen KeyCare Start Network hospital.
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on the KeyCare network, and up to 100% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- Unlimited cover for medically appropriate GP consultations, blood tests, X-rays, basic dentistry, eye care and medicine on our KeyCare networks
KeyCare Plus Plan
- Unlimited hospital cover in the KeyCare Hospital Network
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on the KeyCare network, and up to 100% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- Unlimited cover for medically appropriate GP consultations, blood tests, X-rays, basic dentistry, eye care and medicine on our KeyCare networks
Coastal Core Plan
- Full cover at any private hospital in the four coastal provinces.
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on a payment arrangement, and up to 100% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- Cover for medical emergencies when travelling
Essential Delta Core Plan
- Unlimited private hospital cover in their Delta Hospital Network
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on a payment arrangement, 100% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- Cover for medical emergencies when travelling
Essential Core Plan
- Unlimited private hospital cover
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on a payment arrangement, and up to 100% of the DHR for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- No Medical Savings Account
- Cover for comprehensive pre- and postnatal healthcare services for maternity and early childhood
- No Day-to-day Extender Benefit (DEB) cover
- Cover for medical emergencies when travelling
Classic Delta Core Plan
- Unlimited private hospital cover in thier Delta Hospital Network
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on a payment arrangement, and up to 200% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- Cover for medical emergencies when travelling
Classic Core Plan
- Unlimited private hospital cover
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on a payment arrangement, and up to 200% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- Cover for medical emergencies when travelling
Essential Dynamic Smart Plan
- Unlimited hospital cover at Private hospitals in the Essential Dynamic Smart Hospital Network and as referred by AskDiscovery
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists we have a payment arrangement with, and up 100% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- Day-to-day cover for consultations with a Smart Network GP, acute medicine cover for over the counter (OTC) medicine, and eye and dental check-up, with fixed co-payments and/or limits, subject to plan rules
- Cover for medical emergencies when travelling
Essential Smart Plan
- Unlimited hospital cover in the Smart Hospital Network
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists we have a payment arrangement with, and up 100% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- Day-to-day cover for consultations with a Smart GP, certain acute medicine when prescribed by a Smart GP and over-the-counter medicine, eye and dental check-up with fixed co-payments and/or limits, subject to plan rules
- Cover for medical emergencies when travelling
Classic Smart Plan
- Unlimited hospital cover in the Smart Hospital Network
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists we have a payment arrangement with, and up to 200% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- Day-to-day cover for consultations with a Smart GP, certain acute medicine when prescribed by a Smart GP and over-the-counter medicine, eye and dental check-up and sports-related injuries, with fixed co-payments and/or limits, subject to plan rules
- Cover for medical emergencies when travelling
Coastal Saver Plan
- Unlimited private hospital cover at any hospital in the four coastal provinces
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on a payment arrangement, and up 100% for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- A Medical Savings Account for your day-to-day healthcare needs
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- Cover for medical emergencies when travelling
- Additional cover from the Day-to-day Extender Benefit (DEB) when your Medical Savings Account (MSA) runs out for essential healthcare services in our network
Essential Delta Saver
- Unlimited private hospital cover in their Delta Hospital Network
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on a payment arrangement, and up to 100% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- A Medical Savings Account for your day-to-day healthcare needs
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- Cover for medical emergencies when travelling
- Additional cover from the Day-to-day Extender Benefit (DEB) when your Medical Savings Account (MSA) runs out for essential healthcare services in our network
Classic Saver Plan
- Unlimited cover in any private hospital
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on a payment arrangement, and up to 200% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- A Medical Savings Account for your day-to-day healthcare needs
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- Cover for medical emergencies when travelling
- Additional cover from the Day-to-day Extender Benefit (DEB) when your Medical Savings Account (MSA) runs out for essential healthcare services in our network and kids casualty visits
Essential Priority Plan
- Unlimited cover in any private hospital
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on a payment arrangement, and up to 100% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- A savings account and limited Above Threshold Benefit (ATB) for your day-to-day healthcare needs
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- Cover for medical emergencies when travelling
- Additional cover from the Day-to-day Extender Benefit (DEB) when your Medical Savings Account (MSA) runs out for essential healthcare services in our network
Classic Priority Plan
- Unlimited cover in any private hospital
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on a payment arrangement, and up to 200% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List conditions when you use a Network Pharmacy
- A savings account and limited Above Threshold Benefit (ATB) for your day-to-day healthcare needs
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- Cover for medical emergencies when travelling
- Additional cover from the Day-to-day Extender Benefit (DEB) when your Medical Savings Account (MSA) runs out for essential healthcare services in our network and kids casualty visits
Classic Smart Comprehensive Plan
- Unlimited private hospital cover
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on a payment arrangement, and up to 200% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for approved medicine on our medicine list at a network provider.
- Cover for comprehensive pre- and postnatal healthcare services for maternity and early childhood
- Access to specialised, advanced medical care in South Africa and abroad
- Cover for medical emergencies when travelling
- A savings account for your day-to-day healthcare needs
Classic Comprehensive Plan
- Unlimited private hospital cover
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on a payment arrangement, and up to 200% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List (CDL) conditions plus some additional chronic conditions
- A high savings account and a limited Above Threshold Benefit (ATB) for your day-to-day healthcare needs
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- Access to specialised, advanced medical care in SA and abroad
- Cover for medical emergencies when travelling
- Additional cover from the Day-to-day Extender Benefit (DEB) when your Medical Savings Account (MSA) runs out for essential healthcare services in our network and kids casualty visits
Executive Plan
- Unlimited cover in any private hospital, including private ward cover
- Guaranteed full cover in hospital for specialists on a payment arrangement, and up to 300% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for other specialists and 200% of the DHR for other healthcare professionals
- Full cover for chronic medicine for all Chronic Disease List (CDL) conditions plus some additional chronic conditions, as well as access to an exclusive list of brand medicine exclusive list of brand new treatments and medicines
- The highest savings account and an unlimited Above Threshold Benefit (ATB) for your day-to-day healthcare needs
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood that cover certain healthcare services before and after birth
- The Overseas Treatment Benefit gives you access to specialized, advanced medical care in South Africa and abroad. Access to full cover for second opinion services, and cover up to US$1 million for medical emergencies when travelling outside of South Africa.
- Additional cover from the Day-to-day Extender Benefit (DEB) when your Medical Savings Account (MSA) runs out for essential healthcare services in our network and kids casualty visits
Frequently asked questions about Discovery Health
Is Discovery Health Medical Scheme regulated?
Yes. Discovery Health Medical Scheme is a not-for-profit open medical scheme governed by the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998 and regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS). The Scheme is administered by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd under a contractual arrangement and is governed by an independent Board of Trustees.
How many plans does Discovery Health offer in 2026?
Discovery Health offers 25 plan options for 2026, grouped into five plan ranges: KeyCare, Smart Saver, Priority, Comprehensive and Executive. Each range contains multiple plans with different benefit levels, network options and savings structures.
Can Curemed help me change between Discovery plans?
Yes. Curemed is an FSCA-registered intermediary (FSP 44098) and a CMS-accredited broker, and can assess your current Discovery plan, compare it to other Discovery options, and handle the plan-change paperwork.
How does Discovery compare to Bonitas, Momentum, Fedhealth and the other open schemes?
Comparing schemes properly means matching plan benefits to your specific needs (chronic conditions, hospital network preference, family size, income bracket). A Curemed adviser can run a side-by-side comparison across Discovery, Bonitas, Momentum, Fedhealth, KeyHealth, Medihelp and Bestmed at no cost.
Medical aid for your family?
See our independent broker guide on what to compare when choosing family cover.
Read the family guide