About Discovery Health

 
 
 
 

Discovery Health is South Africa's largest administrator of medical schemes

Discovery Health is the leading medical scheme administrator in South Africa, providing administration and managed care services to over 3.3 million beneficiaries. The business has a market share of over 40% in the overall medical scheme market in South Africa, and manages 18 restricted medical schemes on behalf of leading corporate clients, as well as Discovery Health Medical Scheme, South Africa's largest open medical scheme.

Understanding the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill

Shared-value benefits and unique features of Discovery Health

The success of Discovery Health is due to our ability to offer a fully integrated, value-driven healthcare operating system to our clients, centred on meeting the full spectrum of healthcare needs of client medical schemes. Discovery Health successfully operates beyond traditional administration and managed-care services, and provides ongoing product innovation, best-in-class service excellence, effective claims risk and fraud management, as well as the coordination and management of the quality of clinical services accessed by our clients. We deploy world-class actuarial, analytical, clinical, and research and development capabilities at every point in the medical scheme product cycle.

At the heart of Discovery Health's drive to make people healthier is Vitality. Through Vitality, Discovery Health can offer members of client medical schemes innovative solutions that help address their health risks and make them healthier, in line with the Vitality Shared-Value Insurance business model.

 
 
 
 

Discovery's shared-value approach enables a value-based healthcare system that lowers healthcare costs, resulting in lower contributions compared to competitors, and measurable improvements in the quality of care. These are reflected in superior outcomes for members of client medical schemes, namely lower morbidity and mortality rates, lower hospitalisation rates and shorter hospital stays. The success of the model is also demonstrated by the sustained strong performance of Discovery Health Medical Scheme, and of the restricted medical schemes under our management.

To address the many challenges in the current healthcare environment, and to deliver on our mandate of providing a fully integrated healthcare management system for clients, Discovery Health continues to develop unique assets and products. Recent developments and enhancements include:

Discovery HealthID

Discovery HealthID is South Africa's first and most extensive digital healthcare platform for doctors. It enables them to access their patients' electronic health records through an iPad or a computer. HealthID provides doctors with a more complete view of patients' medical history and test results. This ensures better integration and coordination of healthcare, reduces the likelihood of serious medical errors and duplication or unnecessary tests. Its value-add has resulted in increased engagement from members and healthcare professionals. HealthID is now in regular use by over one million members and almost 50% of doctors treating members of Discovery Health's client schemes.

Discovery Home Care

Discovery Home Care is a service provider that offers home-based care. Using the services of Discovery Home Care you , as a member that belongs to a scheme administered by Discovery Health, can receive care in the comfort and familiar surroundings of your home. Discovery Home Care is an accredited service provider that offers you high-quality service from professional nurses who have received additional quality training from Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd

Driving good corporate citizenship and stakeholder value

Providing quality nursing care to our members in the comfort of their own homes

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Empowering our members to make better choices

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Empowering our members with digital solutions

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Innovations and key milestones

  • 2018

    • Launches Healthy Company - Integrated, proactive wellbeing assistance for employees
    • Introduces the My Pregnancy and MyBaby programmes on the Discovery app
  • 2017

    • Launches DrConnect functionality on the Discovery app
  • 2016

    • Introduces Centres of Excellence
    • Introduces Member Care Coordination Programmes
  • 2015

    • Introduces Healthy kids with Kids EHR
    • Introduces voice biometrics
  • 2014

    • Launches functionality to make video call consultations and online doctor bookings
    • Launches Cleveland clinic 2nd opinion
    • Launches HealthyCare
    • Launches Personal Health Programmes
    • Launches Discovery HomeCare
  • 2013

    • Introduces Corporate Wellness
    • Introduces NetCells - stem cell banking offering
  • 2012

    • Introduces ChroniCare
  • 2011

    • Launches Discovery MedSaver
    • Launches the Full Cover Choice
    • Launches HospitalXpress
    • Launches MedAdvisor
    • Launches MaPS
    • Introduces HealthID
  • 2010

    • Launches Discovery MedXpress
    • Launches the Discovery app for members on iPhone
    • Launches cellphone provider search tool
    • Launches integrated care unit, a first in SA
    • Launches trauma counselling benefit
  • 2007

    • Attains another industry first: becomes the first private healthcare funder with two million lives under administration
  • 2006

    • Enters into direct payment arrangements with healthcare professionals
    • Offers USSD functionality for healthplan and claims information for medical scheme members
  • 1996

    • Enters the restricted (closed medical schemes) access market
  • 1993

    • Introduces the first consumer-driven healthcare plans, incorporating actuarial risk management and a Medical Savings Account underpin

Get healthy. Get rewarded. Get Vitality.


Here are just some of the amazing rewards you will enjoy as a Vitality member:

SAVE up to 75% on monthly gym membership fees

SAVE up to 75% on monthly gym membership fees

Save up to 35% on local and international flights, local accommodation and car rental

SAVE up to 35% on local and international flights, holiday accommodation and car rental

Get up to R1 000 HealthyFood cash every each month

GET up to R1 000 HealthyFood cash back every month

Earn weekly rewards ranging from smoothies and coffees to dream holidays with Active Rewards

EARN weekly rewards ranging from smoothies and coffees to dream holidays with Vitality Active Rewards

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