International Travel Benefit

What is the International Travel Benefit?

The International Travel Benefit covers costs associated with a relevant health service obtained outside of South Africa for a condition or health event that occurs as a result of an accident or emergency.

Download Benefit Guide

Countries and Territories experiencing armed conflict

Discovery Health Medical Scheme will not cover healthcare expenses which are in any way directly or indirectly related to travel to or in any one of the following countries or territories:

Please note that this list is subject to change

Afghanistan (from 1 January 2011)
Belarus (from 7 March 2022)
Burkina Faso (from 7 February 2022)
Central African Republic (from 1 January 2011)
Chad (from 16 January 2012)
Democratic Republic of the Congo (from 10 March 2025)
Haiti (from 29 January 2025)

Iran (from 7 March 2022)
Iraq (from 1 January 2011)
Israel, Gaza and the West Bank (from 25 October 2023)
Lebanon (from 23 February 2026)
Libya (from 23 February 2011)
Mali (from 1 October 2012)
Myanmar (1 December 2021)
Niger (from 1 January 2011)
North Korea (24 January 2024)

Pakistan (from 02 March 2026)
Russia (from 7 March 2022)
Saudi Arabia (from 26 October 2026)
Somalia (from 1 January 2011)
South Sudan (from 1 September 2011)
Sudan (from 1 January 2011)
Syria (from 1 September 2011)
Ukraine (from 7 February 2022)
Venezuela (from 16 December 2025)
Yemen (from 1 January 2011)

Countries and/or territory/ies previously excluded:

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (from 1 December 2011 to 30 September 2012)
Egypt (from 1 February 2011 to 23 February 2011)
Chad (from 1 January 2011 to 31 August 2011)
Cote d'Ivoire (from 1 January 2011 to 31 August 2011)
Guinea (from 1 January 2011 to 31 August 2011)
Iran (from 1 June 2011 to 31 August 2011)
Burundi (from 6 July 2015 to 30 November 2021)
Ethiopia (from 1 December 2021 to 1 July 2022)
Lebanon (from 1 November 2023 to 8 December 2025)
Bahrain (from 28 February 2026 to 22 June 2026) and (from 28 July 2026 to 02 October 2026)
Kuwait (from 28 February 2026 to 22 June 2026) and (from 28 July 2026 to 02 October 2026)
Qatar (from 28 February 2026 to 22 June 2026)
UAE (from 28 February 2026 to 22 June 2026)

Note: Discovery Health Medical Scheme will update the list as and when new information becomes available.

Keeping you informed about travel safety

Countries listed as having heightened security risks are those where trusted international travel advisory services have identified concerns such as terrorism threats, armed conflict, civil unrest, or other volatile conditions. These assessments are based on official warnings and advice recommending caution or restricting travel to these destinations.

If additional credible information becomes available-such as official announcements, recognised news reports, or verified commentary indicating increased instability-this may also be considered when determining the classification of a country or territory.

For independent guidance, you may refer to the following travel advisory resources:

We also receive regular updates from MSOI, our international claims and evacuation service provider, to ensure our information remains current and reliable.

What is the benefit?

We cover you outside the borders of the Republic of South Africa when you are travelling or when you are working in Africa. The benefit is available on Executive, Comprehensive, Priority, Saver, Core and Smart plans (excludes KeyCare plans). Pre-existing conditions are excluded.

Each person is covered for 90 days

Cover for medical emergency treatment outside the borders of the Republic of South Africa for 90 days from date of departure from the Republic of South Africa.

Each person is covered up to a limit

This limit is US$1 million on the Executive Plan and ZAR5 million on Comprehensive, Priority, Saver, Core and Smart plans.

What is covered?

The International Travel Benefit provides cover for emergency medical treatment only; it does not cover elective treatment and treatment received outside of the 90-day period. However, your plan may cover you for elective treatment received while outside of South Africa, as long as the equivalent treatment is readily and freely available in South Africa and it would normally be covered by your plan in terms of the Scheme rules. The treatment must be from a qualified healthcare professional.

Emergency hospital expenses

Discovery Health Medical Scheme will pay the full cost of an authorised emergency hospital claim up to the benefit limit on your plan for each journey.

Emergency out-of-hospital medical expenses

We cover out-of-hospital, medical emergency claims after you have paid the first 100 EUR or US$150 for each person, on each journey.

Pre-existing conditions, elective treatment and treatment outside of 90-day period

In certain situations, the Scheme will reimburse you at the global fee equivalent to what the Scheme would have paid in South Africa in accordance with your chosen plan. A global fee is a single amount and equivalent local cost that we calculate based on the average claims experience in South Africa subject to your specific plan.

A pre-existing condition is a condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received at any time during the 30-day period immediately preceding the date of departure from South Africa. This includes any acute or chronic conditions, and complications and/or any other treatment that may be required as a consequence thereof.

What is not covered?

While travelling, the following will not be covered:

Healthcare services excluded by your waiting period(s), if applicable

Healthcare services if you resign from the Discovery Health Medical Scheme

Healthcare services if your membership is suspended

Healthcare services related to any of Discovery Health Medical Scheme's general exclusions.

For example, you are not covered for search or rescue attempts or efforts, or for any travel to and in a country that is at war

Any claims incurred, if you are on a KeyCare plan

Steps to follow

In-hospital emergency treatment

Notify Medical Services Organisation International (MSOI) as soon as possible after the emergency to authorise the admission and issue a payment guarantee.
MSOI arranges direct payment to overseas healthcare professionals.
If the medical condition necessitates an evacuation and you are fit to travel, MSOI will arrange your return to South Africa.

Out-of-hospital medical expenses

You can choose to:

Pay upfront for out-of-hospital medical expenses, and claim back from us when you return to South Africa
Alternatively, you can call MSOI while you're overseas if the total cost of your out-of-hospital claims is more than 100 EUR or US$150 for each person. MSOI will approve the claim if it is related to a medical emergency, and will contact your healthcare professionals overseas to make sure they are paid directly.
Request for extended supply of medicine

MSOI Contact details
discoveryitb@mso.co.za
Tel: +27 11 259 5003
WhatsApp: +27 82 902 8607

If you have already paid, you need to send us the following:

International claim form

A detailed, original account from the healthcare provider

The claim form, completed in full

Proof of travel dates in the form of air ticket stubs or passport stamps

Proof of payment for all attached claims.

Africa Evacuation Benefit

Download Benefit Guide

What is the Africa Benefit?

The Africa Evacuation Benefit covers you and your dependants for the usual and reasonable emergency medical costs, where treatment is by a qualified and registered healthcare professional. Cover includes emergency transport and evacuation to an appropriate facility in South Africa or such facility as authorised by the Scheme.

Africa Benefit defined list of sub-Saharan countries

Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burundi
Cameron
Central African Republic
Comoros
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Djibouti
Eritrea

Ethiopia
Equatoral Guinea
Gabon
Ghana
Kenya
Lesotho
Madagascar
Malawi
Mauritius
Mozambique

Nambia
Nigeria
Republic of Congo
Réunion
Rwanda
Seychelles
Somalia
Swaziland
Tanzania
Togo

Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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How does the Africa Evacuation Benefit work?

If you need a medical emergency evacuation, you have to call MSOI. Once they have given the go-ahead for the evacuation, they will also arrange it.
You will be evacuated to South Africa, where you will receive medical treatment. Healthcare services given in South Africa are covered according to your Health Plan and the Scheme rules.
Remember when travelling to a country covered under the Africa Benefit, certain healthcare services in the first 90 days after your departure from South Africa will be covered according to the International Travel Benefit.

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