Increases in Discovery Health Medical Scheme contributions will range from 7.4% to 10.9%. Picture: Bongani Mbatha /IndependentNewspapers
The Discovery Health Medical Scheme has announced that it will increasing contributions for 2025 by a weighted average increase of 9.3%.
In a statement, Discovery said that across all plans there would be a weighted average increase of 9.3% next year.
According to Discovery, in the increases in contributions will range from 7.4% to 10.9%, depending on the plan.
Around half of Discovery Health Medical Scheme members will experience a contribution increase of 8.4% or less.
The increases in Discovery Health Medical Scheme gross contributions for 2025 across benefit plans are:
1. Keycare Start: 7.4%
2. KeyCare Core: 7.4%
3. KeyCare Plus: 9.9%
4. Smart: 7.4%
5. Core: 9.9%
6. Saver: 8.4%
7. Coastal (Core/Saver) Plans: 10.9%
8. Priority: 9.9%
9. Comprehensive: 10.9%
10. Executive: 10.9%
According to Discovery, the contribution increases and benefit updates for 2025 have been submitted to the Council for Medical Schemes for their approval.
The contribution increases and benefit updates will take effect on January 1, 2025 but are subject to approval by the Council for Medical Schemes.
Dr Ron Whelan, CEO, Discovery Health said: “To maintain the benefits available to Discovery Health Medical Scheme members, contributions must increase to match medical inflation and expected claims for healthcare by members in 2025.”
The components of medical inflation in Discovery Health Medical Scheme for 2025 include:
– Increases in the price of healthcare services, typically in line with CPI
– Higher demand for healthcare services, as a result of a membership that is ageing gradually, rising prevalence of chronic illnesses, and an increasing proportion of high-cost claimants
– Increases in the supply of healthcare services through new medicine, new medical technologies, advances in medical procedures and increased need for specialised care
Discovery will also be offering a new plan called the Active Smart plan, which according to the medical aid is the most affordable plan in the open medical scheme market and is aimed at young professionals who are starting their careers.
From 2025, the Active Smart plan will be a part of Discovery’s Smart Series which was launched in 2016. Since its launch in 2016, membership has grown to more than 200,000.
Discovery said: “Active Smart is designed around the unique needs of young professionals starting their careers. Top of mind are affordability, flexible benefits for day-to-day healthcare, and immediate cover for emergency care in hospital.”
From next year January, Discovery’s adult members will gain access to Personal Health Pathways through the Discovery Health App and WhatsApp.
According to Discovery, Personal Health Pathways offers members a precise and personalised health journey that is based on their unique healthcare needs.
Medical aid members will rewarded for completing personalised health and exercise actions as well as developing sustained healthy habits over time.
Personal Health Pathways which is brought to Discovery Health Medical Scheme members by Discovery Health is enabled by the combination of Discovery Health’s healthcare capabilities and Vitality’s behaviour change expertise.
Discovery will also be introducing a new benefit for all members in 2025 called the Personal Health Fund.
It will provide all members with additional risk funded benefits of up to R10,000 per policy to spend on day-to-day medical expenses depending on the member’s chosen plan and family composition
IOL Business