Annual review: Discovery Health

It’s that time of year again where we have the option of changing our medical aid plan for the coming year. Most medical schemes give members till the end of November to make their plan choice. During the year some schemes allow members to downgrade but not upgrade their plan, due to anti-selection.
If you do not make use of Vitality, this coming year might see you using it more often as Woolworths has been included on the healthy food benefit for all plan options in 2014. If you have a Discovery credit card you need not choose a preferred provider, but if you do not, you will have to choose between Woolworths and Pick and Pay- getting up to 25% back on healthy food at your first choice and a lower percentage at your second choice retailer.
First off, there is an 8.9% increase in premiums for 2014. As medical inflation is driven by factors such as healthcare costs, advances in technology and increases in medicine prices, medical inflation will always be higher than headline inflation. The increase of 8.9% is across the board on all plans and you will be getting your 2014 premium from Discovery Health in the weeks leading up to the middle of November.
A maternity benefit has been added to the Executive, Classic Comprehensive, Classic Delta Comprehensive and Classic Saver for next year. On this benefit, consultations and two scans will be covered from the insured benefit.
The insured benefit is a benefit to all members on the Saver and Comprehensive plans. Once members have spent their medical savings account, they have access to GP consultations through the Medicross network as well as blood tests and certain medication. The insured benefit offers members a “catch net” once savings have been depleted.
One of the highest costs for Discovery Health in 2012 was childbirth. Over 45 000 babies were born into the scheme last year, 51% being boys and 49% being girls. Interestingly, the most popular names were Liam for boys and Mia for girls.
If you want to change your plan choice for 2014, please let me or Discovery Health know before the middle of December. If you need assistance, please contact me soonest.