Discovery Essential Saver: 2027 contributions and benefits

At a glance

Plan type: Hospital plan with a savings account
Hospitals: Any private hospital
Hospital and specialists: 100% of Scheme tariff
Savings account: R389 a month for the main member (10%)
Chronic conditions: 27 (Chronic Disease List)
Cancer: R250 000 a year
Children you pay for: Up to 3

Discovery’s 2027 benefits are not in our records yet. Its 2027 contributions are below.

Monthly contributions

2027 rates take effect on 1 January 2027. 2027 contributions: Discovery 2027 contribution table, p1. Its 2027 benefits are not in our records yet. You pay for up to 3 children.

Member	2026	2027	Change
Main member	R3 886	R4 194	+7.9%
Adult dependant	R2 914	R3 145	+7.9%
Child	R1 556	R1 680	+8.0%

Benefits

We hold Discovery’s 2027 contributions; its 2027 benefit rules are not in our records yet. Each row shows the 2026 rule, marked.

Benefits in force for 2026.

In hospital

Hospitals

Any hospital

Hospitals

2027 not in our records yet. 2026: Any hospital

(2026)

Specialists in hospital

100% of Scheme tariff. A specialist who charges more leaves a shortfall.

Discovery essential saver plan, p1

Specialists in hospital

2027 not in our records yet. 2026: 100% of Scheme tariff. A specialist who charges more leaves a shortfall.

Discovery essential saver plan, p1 (2026)

Chronic and cancer

Chronic conditions

27 conditions, the Chronic Disease List.

Chronic conditions

2027 not in our records yet. 2026: 27 conditions, the Chronic Disease List.

(2026)

Cancer

Up to R250 000 a year.

Discovery annexure 8a oncology treatment programme, p1

Cancer

2027 not in our records yet. 2026: Up to R250 000 a year.

Discovery annexure 8a oncology treatment programme, p1 (2026)

Day to day

Medical savings account

10% of your contribution goes into a savings account for day-to-day costs.

Discovery essential saver plan, p20

Medical savings account

2027 not in our records yet. 2026: 10% of your contribution goes into a savings account for day-to-day costs.

Discovery essential saver plan, p20 (2026)

Maternity

no managed-care maternity programme — benefit-based, paid from the scheme’s risk benefits, not savings.

Discovery catalogue maternity in hospital rows, per plan

Maternity

2027 not in our records yet. 2026: no managed-care maternity programme — benefit-based, paid from the scheme’s risk benefits, not savings.

Discovery catalogue maternity in hospital rows, per plan (2026)

GP visits

General Practitioners Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p23

GP visits

2027 not in our records yet. 2026: General Practitioners Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p23 (2026)

Specialist visits

Specialists Premier Rate providers: Up to a maximum of the Premier Rate. All other specialists: Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p23

Specialist visits

2027 not in our records yet. 2026: Specialists Premier Rate providers: Up to a maximum of the Premier Rate. All other specialists: Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p23 (2026)

Prescribed medicine (acute)

Prescribed medication Preferentially priced as well as non-preferentially priced generic and brand medication: Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Medication Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p23

Prescribed medicine (acute)

2027 not in our records yet. 2026: Prescribed medication Preferentially priced as well as non-preferentially priced generic and brand medication: Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Medication Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p23 (2026)

Basic dentistry

Dentistry Up to a maximum of 100% the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p23

Basic dentistry

2027 not in our records yet. 2026: Dentistry Up to a maximum of 100% the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p23 (2026)

Blood tests (pathology)

Defined diabetes and cholesterol screening tests Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate for test code.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p15

Blood tests (pathology)

2027 not in our records yet. 2026: Defined diabetes and cholesterol screening tests Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate for test code.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p15 (2026)

Full benefit list

Every benefit we hold for Essential Saver, in Discovery’s own wording, from its 2026 documents. Discovery’s full 2027 list is not in our records yet.

In hospital

Hospital stay and theatre

Accommodation, theatre fees, materials used, prescribed medication for duration of hospitalisation Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate. Subject to authorisation and/or approval and meeting the Scheme's clinical and managed care criteria.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p1

Surgery and anaesthetics

Doctors and allied health care service providers while hospitalised Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p1

Surgery and anaesthetics

Specialists Premier Rate specialists: Up to a maximum of the Premier Rate. Classic Direct specialists: Where a procedure is performed in the Scheme's day-surgery network, claims will be funded up to a maximum of the agreed Discovery Health Rate. Other specialists: Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p1

Planned PMB procedures

Statutory Prescribed Minimum Benefits Basis of cover is contained in Annexure 7. All Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) to accumulate to available limits. Once benefit limits are reached funding in respect of PMBs will continue to fund in accordance with the basis of cover as contained in Annexure 7.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p1

Planned PMB procedures

Health care services reflected in Annexure 9 in a defined list of network facilities Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate at the Scheme's defined list of day-surgery providers. A R7 250 Deductible shall be payable by the beneficiary in respect of the hospital account for elective admissions at a facility which is not a network facility.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p2

Planned PMB procedures

Procedures performed in the Short Stay Surgical Care Network Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate at a network provider for clinically appropriate low acuity surgical procedures.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p3

Planned PMB procedures

Cataract surgery Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate for the hospital account at a network facility. Up to 80% of the Discovery Health Rate for the hospital account if performed at a non-network facility.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p14

Day procedures

Administration of defined intravenous infusions Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate at the Scheme's network provider. A 20% co-payment shall be payable by the beneficiary in respect of the hospital account when treatment is received at a provider who is not a network provider.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p2

Day procedures

For day-case procedures, as reflected in Annexure 9, a R11 100 Deductible shall be payable by the beneficiary in respect of the hospital account for elective admissions at private hospitals which are not part of the defined list of network facilities for day-case procedures.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p21

Day procedures

Dentistry A Deductible of R8 950 for admissions to hospital or a Deductible of R5 750 for admissions to day-case facilities shall be payable by the beneficiary in respect of the hospital/day-case facility account. For beneficiaries younger than 13 years a Deductible of R3 470 for admissions to hospital or a Deductible of R1 550 for admissions to day-case facilities shall be payable by the beneficiary.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p7

Day procedures

Gastroscopies, colonoscopies, proctoscopies and sigmoidoscopies performed in-hospital ... the first R4 650 in respect of the hospital account when performed in a day clinic, or R8 000 in respect of the hospital account when performed in acute facilities, per admission is paid from MSA. Where performed in an acute facility by a doctor who is part of the Scheme's value-based network, the first R6 650 in respect of the hospital account is paid from MSA.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p5

Medicine on discharge

Medication and materials billed by hospital as TTO Save for cover contained in Annexure 7, TTOs are not covered from Hospital Benefits, but paid from Chronic Illness Benefit where applicable or from the MSA as per the Prescribed Medication Benefit.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p14

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS and AIDS-related treatment Basis of cover contained in Annexure 7.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p14

Travel cover

International Travel Benefit as set out in Annexure B. Up to 100% of the cost for in- and out-of-hospital treatment ... The first US $150 or €100 in respect of out-of-hospital treatment per person per journey is payable by the member. The balance will be paid from Health Care Cover.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p18

Organ and stem cell transplants

Stem cell and organ transplants (pre-transplant work-up, in-hospital treatment, post-transplant treatment, immunosuppressive drugs, and donor costs) In-hospital: Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate for the hospital account and up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate for related accounts. Out-of-hospital: Treatment related to transplant covered up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p2

Internal prostheses

Shoulder joint prostheses Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p11

Internal prostheses

Hip and knee joint replacements Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate at a network provider. ... Up to 80% of the Discovery Health Rate for the hospital account if performed at a non-network facility.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p12

Internal prostheses

Spinal prostheses and/or devices Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p13

Internal prostheses

Cardiac stents and balloons Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p13

Internal prostheses

Internal nerve stimulators Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p11

Internal prostheses

Intra-ocular lenses for cataract surgery Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p14

Mental health admissions

Management of mental health disorders Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate for the hospital account in a network facility. Up to a maximum of 80% of the Discovery Health Rate for the hospital account if a non-network facility is used.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p9

Mental health admissions

Alcohol and drug rehabilitation Basis of cover contained in Annexure 7.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p10

MRI, CT and PET scans

MRI and CT Scans Up to a maximum of 100% of Discovery Health Rate for in-hospital scans performed in respect of treatment related to an authorised admission. Subject to referral by appropriate specialist.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p4

MRI, CT and PET scans

If done for conservative back or neck treatment or unrelated to admission, the first R4 000 paid from MSA and the balance from Health Care Cover up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p4

Dialysis

Chronic Dialysis Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate at the Scheme's network provider. Drugs paid at 100% of the Discovery Health Medication Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p9

Step-down and sub-acute care

Home-based healthcare for clinically appropriate chronic and acute treatment and conditions that can be treated at home In addition to cover contained in Annexure 7, up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p3

Palliative care

Advanced Illness Benefit Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate. Subject to authorisation and the treatment meeting the Scheme's guidelines and managed care criteria.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p14

Cancer treatment

Non-PMB oncology (Oncology Treatment Programme): 100% of DHR up to a Threshold Claim Amount of R250,000 per person per 12-month cycle, then 80% of DHR with no overall limit. PMB oncology unlimited at PMB level via DSP (ICON/SAOC); voluntary non-network use funded at 80% DHR (20% co-payment).

Discovery annexure 8a oncology treatment programme 2026, p1

Specialised (biological) medicine in hospital

Not covered. The Specialised Medicine and Technology Benefit is not available on this plan.

Discovery 2026 specialised medicine and technology benefit, p2

Planned PMB procedures

Benefit for out-of-hospital management and appropriate supportive treatment of specific global World Health Organisation (WHO) recognised disease outbreaks: COVID-19, Mpox In addition to cover contained in Annexure 7, up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p18

Fertility treatment

Not covered. Assisted Reproductive Therapy Benefit not available on this plan — the benefit is available on the Executive Plan and Comprehensive Series only.

discovery- 2026 - assisted reproductive therapy benefit, p2

Day to day

Prescribed medicine (acute)

Prescribed medication Preferentially priced as well as non-preferentially priced generic and brand medication: Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Medication Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p23

Alternative healthcare

All other healthcare practitioners listed in Annexure 1 Up to a maximum of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p24

Medical appliances

External Medical Items (EMI) including those supplied by orthotists and prosthetists Up to a maximum of the Discovery Health Rate. Unless part of a defined benefit those listed in Annexure 6 are paid from MSA at 100% of the Discovery Health rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p14

Medical appliances

those listed in Annexure 6 are paid from MSA at 100% of the Discovery Health rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p14

Medical appliances

Home-monitoring devices for clinically appropriate chronic and acute conditions Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate paid from Health Care Cover.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p3

Medical appliances

Point-of-care medical devices Up to a maximum of 75% of the Discovery Health Rate paid from Health Care Cover.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p3

Auxiliary services

All other healthcare practitioners listed in Annexure 1 Up to a maximum of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p24

Chronic medicine (Chronic Disease List)

Medication for the chronic Prescribed Minimum Benefit conditions Save for medication contemplated in Rule 15.18 of the Main Body of the Rules, basis of cover contained in Annexure 7. Subject to Scheme protocols, clinical entry criteria and drug utilisation review.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p22

Specialised dentistry

Severe dental and oral procedures reflected in Annexure 3 Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate for related accounts. Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate for hospital account.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p8

Specialised dentistry

All dental appliances and prostheses and the placement of such appliances/prostheses as well as orthodontics (surgical and non-surgical) are paid from MSA up to 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p7

Basic dentistry

Dentistry Up to a maximum of 100% the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p23

Casualty visits

Emergency Medical Services local Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate. Inter-hospital transfers subject to authorisation.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p17

Casualty visits

Virtual urgent care consultations In addition to the cover contained in Annexure 7, up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate paid from Health Care Cover for virtual urgent care consultations.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p10

GP visits

General Practitioners Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p23

GP visits

Pharmacy clinic consultation with or without video call consultation with a General Practitioner Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p23

GP visits

Day-to-day Extender Benefit for: pharmacy clinic consultations with or without video call consultations with a General Practitioner; General Practitioner consultations Available once the annual MSA has been depleted. Out-of-hospital consultation codes billed by a network pharmacy clinic or GP that meets the digital platform criteria shall be paid from Health Care Cover up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p20

Hearing aids

Cochlear implants and auditory brain implants (including processors) and processor upgrades Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate at the Scheme's network provider.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p10

Hearing aids

Bone Anchored/Transcutaneous Hearing Aids (BAHA) and processor upgrades Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p11

Maternity care (out of hospital)

Out-of-hospital healthcare services related to pregnancy and delivery: Up to 100% of the Discovery Health Rate, or agreed rate. Paid from Health Care Cover and is subject to applicable limits.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p20

Maternity care (out of hospital)

Pregnancy scans Once the out-of-hospital cover related to pregnancy and delivery is reached, up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate. 3D and 4D scan will be paid up to the maximum of the cost of a 2D scan.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p24

Maternity care (out of hospital)

Non-invasive Prenatal Screening Test or defined chromosome testing Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p23

Psychologist and counselling visits

Management of mental health disorders Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate for related accounts.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p9

Psychologist and counselling visits

mental health consultation with a GP, psychologist or counsellor

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p20

Blood tests (pathology)

Defined diabetes and cholesterol screening tests Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate for test code.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p15

Physiotherapy and other therapists

All other healthcare practitioners listed in Annexure 1 Up to a maximum of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p24

MRI, CT and PET scans

MRI and CT Scans The first R4 000 in respect of each out-of-hospital MRI and CT scan is payable from MSA and the balance is payable from Health Care Cover up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p23

MRI, CT and PET scans

the balance is payable from Health Care Cover up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p23

Specialist visits

Specialists Premier Rate providers: Up to a maximum of the Premier Rate. All other specialists: Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p23

Procedures in the doctor’s rooms

Gastroscopies, colonoscopies, proctoscopies and sigmoidoscopies performed in-rooms Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate when performed at an in-rooms network provider. Save for the cover contained in Annexure 8, where indicated and approved for dyspepsia, and for children aged 12 and under, the first R1 800 is paid from MSA. Where both a gastroscopy and colonoscopy are performed, the first R3 100 is paid from MSA.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p6

Procedures in the doctor’s rooms

The balance of the account will be paid from Health Care Cover up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p6

Care after a hospital stay

Over and above the DTPMB entitlement, this benefit also covers out-of-hospital health care services arising from an emergency, trauma-related event resulting in the following PMB conditions: Paraplegia, Quadriplegia, Near-drowning related injury, Severe anaphylactic reaction, Poisoning, Crime-related injury, Severe burns, External and internal head injuries, Loss of limb ... Basis of cover as contained in Annexure B and up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p19

Screening and prevention

Screening and prevention

Screening Benefit A - Group of tests consisting of Blood glucose test, Blood pressure test, Cholesterol test and Body Mass Index (BMI) Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate for group of tests at a network provider.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p15

Screening and prevention

Screening Benefit B - Consist of appropriate tests (including self-sampling kits, where appropriate) and as determined by the Scheme: HIV screening, Mammogram, Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), colorectal and cervical cancer screening Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate for test code.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p15

Screening and prevention

Screening Benefit C - Group of age appropriate tests including but not limited to growth assessment, blood pressure and health and milestone tracking Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate at a network provider, for children between the ages of 2 and 18.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p15

Screening and prevention

Screening Benefit D – Group of age appropriate screening tests Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Rate at a network provider, for members 65 years and older.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p16

Screening and prevention

Additional screening assessment or consultation Up to a maximum 100% of the Discovery Health Rate at an accredited network provider.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p16

Screening and prevention

Preventative Benefit - Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Medication Rate for the vaccination.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p16

Screening and prevention

Preventative Benefit - Pneumococcal Vaccination Up to a maximum of 100% of the Discovery Health Medication Rate for the vaccination.

Discovery essential saver plan 2026, p16

Conditions

The Chronic Disease List conditions are Prescribed Minimum Benefits on every medical aid. How each one works on a medical aid:

Discovery’s 2026 documents name no chronic conditions beyond the Chronic Disease List on Essential Saver.

Questions about Essential Saver

Answered from Discovery’s documents.

How much does Essential Saver cost in 2027?

From 1 January 2027: R4 194 a month for the main member, R3 145 for an adult dependant and R1 680 for a child. You pay for up to 3 children.

How much is Essential Saver going up for 2027?

For the main member, from R3 886 to R4 194 a month, +7.9%.

What is the difference between Essential Saver and Essential Delta Saver?

Essential Delta Saver uses Discovery’s hospital network; Essential Saver lets you use any hospital. In 2027 the main member pays R4 194 on Essential Saver and R3 345 on Essential Delta Saver.

Does Essential Saver have a medical savings account?

Yes. 10% of your contribution goes into a savings account, which pays for day-to-day costs such as GP visits and medicine.

How many chronic conditions does Essential Saver cover?

27, the conditions on the Chronic Disease List.

Will I have a shortfall if my specialist charges more?

Essential Saver pays specialists in hospital at 100% of the Scheme tariff. If a specialist charges more than that, the difference is a shortfall. Gap cover is the product that pays shortfalls.

Compare my picks →On this plan? Get help with it →Essential Delta Saver →All Discovery plans →Discovery 2027 price changes →Gap cover →

Factual information from Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s published documents. It is not advice. Compiled by Eldon de Waal, CFA, the licensed advisor behind AURA. Catalogue v175, built 2026-10-19.