Discovery Health: Essential Core
From 1 January 2027
2027 prices are out
R3 622
main member / month
Main member
Adult dependant
Child dependant
Family of four (2 adults + 2 kids): R8 567 in 2026 → R9 248 in 2027, an extra R681 a month.
Source: Discovery Health Medical Scheme 2027 Contributions. Benefits shown on this page are 2026 until we load the 2027 benefit changes. Compare every 2027 increase
Monthly Contributions
Max 3 children billed.
Hospital Cover
Chronic Cover
Plan highlights
- Unlimited cover for hospital admissions
- Full cover for chronic medicine
- Comprehensive benefits for maternity and early childhood
- Screening and Prevention Benefit for important health checks
Who is Essential Core for?
- People who only need cover for emergencies and hospitalisation
- Younger, generally healthy members who pay for GP visits and medication out of pocket
This is general guidance. Use our free calculator to see whether this plan matches your specific needs and budget.
What's covered
- Unlimited hospital cover at any private hospital
- 27 chronic conditions (27 PMB + 0 additional)
- All Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMB) — required by South African law
What to watch out for
- GP consultations (you pay out of pocket)
- Acute medication from your local pharmacy
- Routine dental check-ups and optometry
- Chronic conditions outside the 27 statutory PMB list
- Cosmetic procedures, alternative therapies and certain elective treatments
- Out-of-hospital costs above your annual day-to-day limit (where applicable)
Compare with similar Discovery Health plans
Classic Smart Saver
KeyCare Start Regional
Coastal Core
Frequently asked questions
Source: Discovery Health Medical Scheme Plan Comparison 2026 (contributions 1 April to 31 December 2026) — accessed 2026-10-07.
Information sourced from Discovery's official 2026 plan guide. Contributions and benefits may change. Always confirm with Discovery before joining.
We are not a financial services provider and do not offer financial advice.