Give your clients the power of private emergency healthcare:
Affordable, End-to-End Protection for Your Clients' Emergency Needs

Every day, thousands of people living in South Africa experience medical emergencies that require urgent treatment. Depending on how serious the event is and recovery time needed, these episodes can mean high healthcare costs, loss of income for affected people and their families where people can't return to work immediately or at all, and enormous stress at a time when people need to focus on their health and recovery.

"At Discovery Health we strive to make affordable, high-quality private healthcare available to as many people as possible," says Maria Makhabane, Chief Growth Officer at Discovery Health.

"Our clients really value cover for accidents and traumatic events along with cover emergency care"

"Flexicare is an affordable alternative for people who cannot afford medical aid. It offers access to essential private healthcare services, including unlimited GP consultations, dental care, and medicines. However, our research shows that when it comes to access to private healthcare, our clients also really value comprehensive cover for urgent and emergency care in a private casualty unit - cover that ensures they don't face unexpected, high bills post their visit to casualty. And, they want to be able to have important in-hospital medical procedures in a private hospital."

Discovery Health's research also shows that:

780,859

casualty cases were recorded last year for medical schemes and health insurance products administered by Discovery Health.*

36% - 56%

of casualty cases in South Africa are as a result of an accident or trauma event.

R516,000

was one of the higher claims paid to date for a Flexicare member with Trauma Cover.

"Whether for a medical emergency or urgent care, a visit to a private casualty unit can leave a patient with a big bill. Our research show the average cost per casualty claim is R3,000."

"People may have one or another form of cover for private hospital admission, thinking that if they go to casualty they will be admitted for treatment, and be covered. However, 82% of medical emergencies can be treated in a casualty setting on the same day, without the person being admitted to hospital."

People also want to be able to access private healthcare for critical in-hospital procedures

"People value being able to access private healthcare for major medical events," says Makhabane, "but in-hospital treatment for critical and emergency procedures can be very expensive."

This is the average cost across a range of in-hospital procedures carried out in a private hospital:

Discovery Emergency Cover is a truly extensive solution for accessing private hospital care when your clients need it most

From 1 January 2025, our innovative Discovery Emergency Cover range will be available for your employer and individual clients.

Makhabane explains: "The Discovery Emergency Cover range of options provides flexibility and peace of mind that members will receive access to extensive end-to-end, quality emergency healthcare when they need it most. This extensive emergency cover pairs perfectly with the comprehensive primary healthcare benefits offered by Flexicare for day-to-day healthcare needs."

The three Discovery Emergency Cover packages are:

• Emergency Core: Available from R90 per month, the Core package provides cover for emergency healthcare services, including casualty and in-hospital treatment for a broad range of accidents and trauma-related events.

• Emergency Plus: Available from R140 per month, the Plus package provides cover for accidents and trauma , and for stabilisation and treatment of any emergency condition in a casualty facility, including admission and treatment for heart attacks and strokes.

• Emergency Max: Available from R190 per month, the Max package provides cover for accidents and trauma, the stabilisation and treatment of any emergency condition in a casualty facility and admission to treat heart attacks and strokes and nine additional emergency conditions, namely acute appendicitis, acute asthma, ectopic pregnancy, acute inflammation of gall bladder, fit or seizure, acute pneumonia, kidney stones, acute renal failure and pulmonary embolism.

Extensive end-to-end emergency cover offers financial protection and peace of mind

"Our Discovery Emergency Cover provides a safety net that eases the financial burden of unexpected medical emergencies. Your clients will be covered for a wide range of emergency situations, ensuring they receive the necessary medical attention without delay. These products are designed to offer your clients reassurance and security, so that they and their families can focus on recovering and wellbeing, rather than financial and emotional stress, during medical emergencies."

LEARN MORE ABOUT DISCOVERY EMERGENCY COVER IN 2025

Sources: Case studies of South African hospitals, DHMS internal claims data.

* The quoted casualty figure includes Discovery Health Medical Scheme, 19 restricted schemes and individuals who have cover through the Trauma Benefit.