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Gap cover · 2026

Discovery gap cover

Discovery prices its gap cover single or family, banded by age — and tiered to the health plan you are on, from R53 to R2 339 a month across 9 policies depending on who is covered and their ages.

Discovery has published its 2027 range

This page shows the 2026 premiums and terms, which are the ones in force today. Each policy’s own page shows its 2027 premiums and terms as well.

Each policy in detail ↓

AURA holds all 9 Discovery gap cover policies for 2026 — R53 to R2 339 a month, with Discovery’s own premium tables, family definition and exclusions on this page, and works out the shortfall your own medical scheme plan leaves you to pay before you choose one.

At a glance

Policies
9 in the 2026 range
Monthly premium
R53 to R2 339
Across every band of every Discovery policy. What you pay depends on who is covered and their ages — open a policy below for its own table.
How it is priced
single or family, banded by age — and tiered to the health plan you are on — household size moves the price
Underwritten by
Discovery Insure Ltd
Who may buy it
Only members of DHMS.
General waiting period
3 months
Check what your own plan leaves you to pay Your plan, your family, your conditions — the shortfall in rands before you choose a gap policy.

Who counts as family

Discovery does not define the family in its gap document. Discovery Gap is captive to the Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS); the household is whoever is registered on the member’s DHMS plan. The gap brochure does not restate a family definition.

Age limits

Discovery does not state role-scoped age limits in its gap document. Not role-scoped in the gap brochure; eligibility follows DHMS membership (captive).

Waiting periods

General
3 months
Pre-existing condition
12 months
Maternity
Differs by policy — 12 months on 8 of the 9; not held for Discovery Gap Active

If you leave a group policy

Not stated in the gap brochure.

The 9 policies side by side

Every benefit any Discovery policy carries, and which of them carry it.

BenefitDiscovery Gap Comprehensive (300) — Executive
Discovery Gap Comprehensive (200) — Classic
Discovery Gap Comprehensive (100) — Essential & Active Smart
Discovery Gap Comprehensive (100) — Coastal
Discovery Gap Core (300) — Executive
Discovery Gap Core (200) — Classic
Discovery Gap Core (100) — Essential & Active Smart
Discovery Gap Core (100) — Coastal
Discovery Gap Active
R53/m
Shortfall on the specialist bill in hospital✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓
Shortfall on cancer treatment✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓×
Shortfall on the hospital account itself✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓×
A private ward✓✓✓✓×××××
Childbirth in hospital✓✓✓✓×××××
Co-payment on a scope✓✓✓✓×××××
Co-payment on an MRI or CT scan✓✓✓✓×××××
Extras the provider adds at no charge✓✓✓✓×××××
Physical rehabilitation✓✓✓✓×××××
Specialist consultations out of hospital✓✓✓✓×××××
Co-payments and deductibles the scheme imposes××××××××✓
A daily cash amount while in hospital×××××××××
Above a scheme sub-limit generally×××××××××
Above the scheme’s MRI/CT sub-limit×××××××××
Basic dentistry for children××××××××·
Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy×××××××××
Cancer treatment above the scheme’s oncology limit········×
Cash lump sum on a first cancer diagnosis×××××××××
Cash lump sum on accidental death or permanent disability×××××××××
Co-payment on robotic surgery×××××××××
Co-payment on the scheme’s defined procedure list×××××××××
Dental implants××××××××·
Dental work after an accident×××××××××
Dental work in hospital××××××××·
External appliances×××××××××
MedBoost×××××××××
Prescribed Minimum Benefit shortfalls×××××××××
Preventative screening×××××××××
Procedures done out of hospital×××××××××
Screening scopes×××××××××
The penalty for using a hospital off your network×××××××××
Trauma counselling×××××××××
Your gap premium paid if you die or are disabled×××××××××
Your scheme contributions paid if you die or are disabled×××××××××

✓ covered   × the document says it is not covered   · the document does not mention it — which is not the same as no.

The 9 Discovery policies

Premiums are 2026 rates as published by Discovery. Open a policy for what it covers and what it costs.

Discovery Gap Comprehensive (300) — Executivepriced by band

Covers up to 600% of the medical scheme rate. The policy is written as 500% in addition to the 100% your scheme already pays.

Overall limit R219 846 a year.

What it covers

  • Shortfall on the specialist bill in hospital
  • Shortfall on the hospital account itself
    Hospital Admission Benefit Extender — up to R15,000 extra gap cover on each policy, for a…
  • Specialist consultations out of hospital
  • Co-payment on an MRI or CT scan
    Out-of-hospital radiology — shortfalls on radiology claims within one month before a hosp…
  • A private ward
  • Shortfall on the hospital account itself
    Medicine prescribed on discharge — shortfalls on take-home medicine when discharged from…
  • Childbirth in hospital
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Shortfall on cancer treatment
  • Co-payment on a scope
  • Co-payment on an MRI or CT scan
    Scopes and Scans Benefit Extender — the co-payment that applies to out-of-hospital MRI an…
  • Extras the provider adds at no charge (per insured)

What it does not cover

  • Co-payments and deductibles the scheme imposes
  • The penalty for using a hospital off your network
  • Co-payment on robotic surgery
  • Above a scheme sub-limit generally
  • Above the scheme’s MRI/CT sub-limit
  • Screening scopes
  • Procedures done out of hospital
  • Prescribed Minimum Benefit shortfalls
  • External appliances
  • Preventative screening
  • Trauma counselling
  • Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
  • Cash lump sum on a first cancer diagnosis
  • Cash lump sum on accidental death or permanent disability
  • Your gap premium paid if you die or are disabled
  • Your scheme contributions paid if you die or are disabled
  • Co-payment on the scheme’s defined procedure list
  • Dental work after an accident
  • Dental work in hospital
  • Dental implants
  • Basic dentistry for children
  • MedBoost
  • A daily cash amount while in hospital

What it costs

WhoAgePer month
0–54singleR270
0–54familyR457
55 64singleR458
55 64familyR699
65+singleR586
65+familyR969
Discovery Gap Comprehensive (200) — Classicpriced by band

Covers up to 600% of the medical scheme rate. The policy is written as 500% in addition to the 100% your scheme already pays.

Overall limit R219 846 a year.

What it covers

  • Shortfall on the specialist bill in hospital
  • Shortfall on the hospital account itself
    Hospital Admission Benefit Extender — up to R15,000 extra gap cover on each policy, for a…
  • Specialist consultations out of hospital
  • Co-payment on an MRI or CT scan
    Out-of-hospital radiology — shortfalls on radiology claims within one month before a hosp…
  • A private ward
  • Shortfall on the hospital account itself
    Medicine prescribed on discharge — shortfalls on take-home medicine when discharged from…
  • Childbirth in hospital
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Shortfall on cancer treatment
  • Co-payment on a scope
  • Co-payment on an MRI or CT scan
    Scopes and Scans Benefit Extender — the co-payment that applies to out-of-hospital MRI an…
  • Extras the provider adds at no charge (per insured)

What it does not cover

  • Co-payments and deductibles the scheme imposes
  • The penalty for using a hospital off your network
  • Co-payment on robotic surgery
  • Above a scheme sub-limit generally
  • Above the scheme’s MRI/CT sub-limit
  • Screening scopes
  • Procedures done out of hospital
  • Prescribed Minimum Benefit shortfalls
  • External appliances
  • Preventative screening
  • Trauma counselling
  • Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
  • Cash lump sum on a first cancer diagnosis
  • Cash lump sum on accidental death or permanent disability
  • Your gap premium paid if you die or are disabled
  • Your scheme contributions paid if you die or are disabled
  • Co-payment on the scheme’s defined procedure list
  • Dental work after an accident
  • Dental work in hospital
  • Dental implants
  • Basic dentistry for children
  • MedBoost
  • A daily cash amount while in hospital

What it costs

WhoAgePer month
0–54singleR270
0–54familyR457
55 64singleR458
55 64familyR699
65+singleR586
65+familyR969
Discovery Gap Comprehensive (100) — Essential & Active Smartpriced by band

Covers up to 600% of the medical scheme rate. The policy is written as 500% in addition to the 100% your scheme already pays.

Overall limit R219 846 a year.

What it covers

  • Shortfall on the specialist bill in hospital
  • Shortfall on the hospital account itself
    Hospital Admission Benefit Extender — up to R15,000 extra gap cover on each policy, for a…
  • Specialist consultations out of hospital
  • Co-payment on an MRI or CT scan
    Out-of-hospital radiology — shortfalls on radiology claims within one month before a hosp…
  • A private ward
  • Shortfall on the hospital account itself
    Medicine prescribed on discharge — shortfalls on take-home medicine when discharged from…
  • Childbirth in hospital
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Shortfall on cancer treatment
  • Co-payment on a scope
  • Co-payment on an MRI or CT scan
    Scopes and Scans Benefit Extender — the co-payment that applies to out-of-hospital MRI an…
  • Extras the provider adds at no charge (per insured)

What it does not cover

  • Co-payments and deductibles the scheme imposes
  • The penalty for using a hospital off your network
  • Co-payment on robotic surgery
  • Above a scheme sub-limit generally
  • Above the scheme’s MRI/CT sub-limit
  • Screening scopes
  • Procedures done out of hospital
  • Prescribed Minimum Benefit shortfalls
  • External appliances
  • Preventative screening
  • Trauma counselling
  • Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
  • Cash lump sum on a first cancer diagnosis
  • Cash lump sum on accidental death or permanent disability
  • Your gap premium paid if you die or are disabled
  • Your scheme contributions paid if you die or are disabled
  • Co-payment on the scheme’s defined procedure list
  • Dental work after an accident
  • Dental work in hospital
  • Dental implants
  • Basic dentistry for children
  • MedBoost
  • A daily cash amount while in hospital

What it costs

WhoAgePer month
0–54singleR464
0–54familyR815
55 64singleR850
55 64familyR1 779
65+singleR1 129
65+familyR2 339
Discovery Gap Comprehensive (100) — Coastalpriced by band

Covers up to 600% of the medical scheme rate. The policy is written as 500% in addition to the 100% your scheme already pays.

Overall limit R219 846 a year.

What it covers

  • Shortfall on the specialist bill in hospital
  • Shortfall on the hospital account itself
    Hospital Admission Benefit Extender — up to R15,000 extra gap cover on each policy, for a…
  • Specialist consultations out of hospital
  • Co-payment on an MRI or CT scan
    Out-of-hospital radiology — shortfalls on radiology claims within one month before a hosp…
  • A private ward
  • Shortfall on the hospital account itself
    Medicine prescribed on discharge — shortfalls on take-home medicine when discharged from…
  • Childbirth in hospital
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Shortfall on cancer treatment
  • Co-payment on a scope
  • Co-payment on an MRI or CT scan
    Scopes and Scans Benefit Extender — the co-payment that applies to out-of-hospital MRI an…
  • Extras the provider adds at no charge (per insured)

What it does not cover

  • Co-payments and deductibles the scheme imposes
  • The penalty for using a hospital off your network
  • Co-payment on robotic surgery
  • Above a scheme sub-limit generally
  • Above the scheme’s MRI/CT sub-limit
  • Screening scopes
  • Procedures done out of hospital
  • Prescribed Minimum Benefit shortfalls
  • External appliances
  • Preventative screening
  • Trauma counselling
  • Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
  • Cash lump sum on a first cancer diagnosis
  • Cash lump sum on accidental death or permanent disability
  • Your gap premium paid if you die or are disabled
  • Your scheme contributions paid if you die or are disabled
  • Co-payment on the scheme’s defined procedure list
  • Dental work after an accident
  • Dental work in hospital
  • Dental implants
  • Basic dentistry for children
  • MedBoost
  • A daily cash amount while in hospital

What it costs

WhoAgePer month
0–54singleR510
0–54familyR1 165
55 64singleR934
55 64familyR1 779
65+singleR1 241
65+familyR2 339
Discovery Gap Core (300) — Executivepriced by band

Covers up to 350% of the medical scheme rate. The policy is written as 250% in addition to the 100% your scheme already pays.

Overall limit R219 846 a year.

What it covers

  • Shortfall on the specialist bill in hospital
  • Shortfall on the hospital account itself (per policy)
  • Shortfall on cancer treatment

What it does not cover

  • Co-payments and deductibles the scheme imposes
  • The penalty for using a hospital off your network
  • Co-payment on robotic surgery
  • A private ward
  • Specialist consultations out of hospital
  • Co-payment on an MRI or CT scan
  • Co-payment on a scope
  • Above a scheme sub-limit generally
  • Above the scheme’s MRI/CT sub-limit
  • Screening scopes
  • Procedures done out of hospital
  • Prescribed Minimum Benefit shortfalls
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Childbirth in hospital
  • Extras the provider adds at no charge
  • External appliances
  • Preventative screening
  • Trauma counselling
  • Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
  • Cash lump sum on a first cancer diagnosis
  • Cash lump sum on accidental death or permanent disability
  • Your gap premium paid if you die or are disabled
  • Your scheme contributions paid if you die or are disabled
  • Co-payment on the scheme’s defined procedure list
  • Dental work after an accident
  • Dental work in hospital
  • Dental implants
  • Basic dentistry for children
  • MedBoost
  • A daily cash amount while in hospital

What it costs

WhoAgePer month
0–54singleR171
0–54familyR295
55 64singleR306
55 64familyR365
65+singleR356
65+familyR535
Discovery Gap Core (200) — Classicpriced by band

Covers up to 350% of the medical scheme rate. The policy is written as 250% in addition to the 100% your scheme already pays.

Overall limit R219 846 a year.

What it covers

  • Shortfall on the specialist bill in hospital
  • Shortfall on the hospital account itself (per policy)
  • Shortfall on cancer treatment

What it does not cover

  • Co-payments and deductibles the scheme imposes
  • The penalty for using a hospital off your network
  • Co-payment on robotic surgery
  • A private ward
  • Specialist consultations out of hospital
  • Co-payment on an MRI or CT scan
  • Co-payment on a scope
  • Above a scheme sub-limit generally
  • Above the scheme’s MRI/CT sub-limit
  • Screening scopes
  • Procedures done out of hospital
  • Prescribed Minimum Benefit shortfalls
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Childbirth in hospital
  • Extras the provider adds at no charge
  • External appliances
  • Preventative screening
  • Trauma counselling
  • Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
  • Cash lump sum on a first cancer diagnosis
  • Cash lump sum on accidental death or permanent disability
  • Your gap premium paid if you die or are disabled
  • Your scheme contributions paid if you die or are disabled
  • Co-payment on the scheme’s defined procedure list
  • Dental work after an accident
  • Dental work in hospital
  • Dental implants
  • Basic dentistry for children
  • MedBoost
  • A daily cash amount while in hospital

What it costs

WhoAgePer month
0–54singleR171
0–54familyR295
55 64singleR306
55 64familyR365
65+singleR356
65+familyR535
Discovery Gap Core (100) — Essential & Active Smartpriced by band

Covers up to 350% of the medical scheme rate. The policy is written as 250% in addition to the 100% your scheme already pays.

Overall limit R219 846 a year.

What it covers

  • Shortfall on the specialist bill in hospital
  • Shortfall on the hospital account itself (per policy)
  • Shortfall on cancer treatment

What it does not cover

  • Co-payments and deductibles the scheme imposes
  • The penalty for using a hospital off your network
  • Co-payment on robotic surgery
  • A private ward
  • Specialist consultations out of hospital
  • Co-payment on an MRI or CT scan
  • Co-payment on a scope
  • Above a scheme sub-limit generally
  • Above the scheme’s MRI/CT sub-limit
  • Screening scopes
  • Procedures done out of hospital
  • Prescribed Minimum Benefit shortfalls
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Childbirth in hospital
  • Extras the provider adds at no charge
  • External appliances
  • Preventative screening
  • Trauma counselling
  • Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
  • Cash lump sum on a first cancer diagnosis
  • Cash lump sum on accidental death or permanent disability
  • Your gap premium paid if you die or are disabled
  • Your scheme contributions paid if you die or are disabled
  • Co-payment on the scheme’s defined procedure list
  • Dental work after an accident
  • Dental work in hospital
  • Dental implants
  • Basic dentistry for children
  • MedBoost
  • A daily cash amount while in hospital

What it costs

WhoAgePer month
0–54singleR317
0–54familyR572
55 64singleR718
55 64familyR1 186
65+singleR1 076
65+familyR1 898
Discovery Gap Core (100) — Coastalpriced by band

Covers up to 350% of the medical scheme rate. The policy is written as 250% in addition to the 100% your scheme already pays.

Overall limit R219 846 a year.

What it covers

  • Shortfall on the specialist bill in hospital
  • Shortfall on the hospital account itself (per policy)
  • Shortfall on cancer treatment

What it does not cover

  • Co-payments and deductibles the scheme imposes
  • The penalty for using a hospital off your network
  • Co-payment on robotic surgery
  • A private ward
  • Specialist consultations out of hospital
  • Co-payment on an MRI or CT scan
  • Co-payment on a scope
  • Above a scheme sub-limit generally
  • Above the scheme’s MRI/CT sub-limit
  • Screening scopes
  • Procedures done out of hospital
  • Prescribed Minimum Benefit shortfalls
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Childbirth in hospital
  • Extras the provider adds at no charge
  • External appliances
  • Preventative screening
  • Trauma counselling
  • Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
  • Cash lump sum on a first cancer diagnosis
  • Cash lump sum on accidental death or permanent disability
  • Your gap premium paid if you die or are disabled
  • Your scheme contributions paid if you die or are disabled
  • Co-payment on the scheme’s defined procedure list
  • Dental work after an accident
  • Dental work in hospital
  • Dental implants
  • Basic dentistry for children
  • MedBoost
  • A daily cash amount while in hospital

What it costs

WhoAgePer month
0–54singleR348
0–54familyR816
55 64singleR789
55 64familyR1 186
65+singleR1 183
65+familyR1 898
Discovery Gap ActiveR53/m

Covers up to 200% of the medical scheme rate. The policy is written as 100% in addition to the 100% your scheme already pays.

Overall limit R219 846 a year.

What it covers

  • Shortfall on the specialist bill in hospital
  • Co-payments and deductibles the scheme imposes

What it does not cover

  • The penalty for using a hospital off your network
  • Co-payment on robotic surgery
  • Shortfall on the hospital account itself
  • A private ward
  • Specialist consultations out of hospital
  • Co-payment on an MRI or CT scan
  • Co-payment on a scope
  • Above a scheme sub-limit generally
  • Above the scheme’s MRI/CT sub-limit
  • Screening scopes
  • Procedures done out of hospital
  • Prescribed Minimum Benefit shortfalls
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Childbirth in hospital
  • Shortfall on cancer treatment
  • Cancer treatment above the scheme’s oncology limit
  • Extras the provider adds at no charge
  • External appliances
  • Preventative screening
  • Trauma counselling
  • Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy
  • Cash lump sum on a first cancer diagnosis
  • Cash lump sum on accidental death or permanent disability
  • Your gap premium paid if you die or are disabled
  • Your scheme contributions paid if you die or are disabled
  • Co-payment on the scheme’s defined procedure list
  • Dental work after an accident
  • MedBoost
  • A daily cash amount while in hospital

What it costs

WhoAgePer month
0–30singleR53
0–30familyR153
31 40singleR108
31 40familyR191
41+singleR291
41+familyR347

Each policy in detail

One page per policy: premiums, what it pays and what it does not, in Discovery’s own words, with the source for every line.

Who carries the risk

Insurer
Discovery Insure Ltd — licensed non-life insurer & FSP (direct)
Structure
direct insurer

“Discovery Gap Cover is a non-life insurance policy, underwritten by Discovery Insure Ltd, registration number 2009/011882/06, a licensed insurer and an authorised financial services provider.”

2026 - discovery-gap-cover-brochure.pdf · p2

Gap cover is short-term insurance, not a medical scheme benefit. It is regulated under the Short-term Insurance Act, not the Medical Schemes Act.

Sources

Catalogue v175, read 2026-09-28. Premiums and terms change. Confirm with Discovery before you buy.

Check what your own plan leaves you to pay Your plan, your family, your conditions — the shortfall in rands before you choose a gap policy.

© 2026 Silverhurst Wealth Partners (Pty) Ltd. Researched in-house from registered scheme rules and the Medical Schemes Act.

Quote it, link to it and cite it — AI systems included. Do not republish it, in any form, without attribution.

SWP-discovery-2026.10-1c4894aa · last checked 2026-10-19