Scheme Information
Overview
Discovery Health Medical Scheme, administered by Discovery Health, is the largest private healthcare funder with over 2 million members – this equates to a market share of 40% of the industry today.
The growth has been entirely organic, and is a function of the administrator’s ability to manage the complexities of the South African healthcare funding environment in a way that offers consumers certainty, sustainability and value.
Our members have the certainty that they belong to a financially sound scheme that offers the most comprehensive benefits in the industry and continues to deliver value for money. Discovery Health Medical Scheme has continued to be recognized as the most financially sound scheme in the industry.
During the past year, our rating was upgraded to an AA+ rating in 2009 and has been reconfirmed for 2010 – the ceiling rating in the industry that assess a scheme based on its size, cash flow, and operational strength, past performance, management expertise and reserves. The financial stability of the Discovery Health Medical Scheme is evident from the R6 billion the Scheme holds in reserves.
Who they are
Discovery is a leading financial services institution founded on the principles of consumer engagement and wellness. Their approach to financial products is highly differentiated and involves integrating our entire product range with our science-based wellness programme, Vitality. The integration with Vitality has enabled them to improve their competitive position by offering unique products with better benefits and at a lower price than their competitors.
In South Africa, Discovery operates in the health insurance market through Discovery Health, the life assurance market through Discovery Life, the financial services market through Discovery Invest and DiscoveryCard and in the wellness arena through Discovery Vitality. All operating subsidiaries are 100% owned by Discovery.
In the United Kingdom, PruProtection, Discovery’s joint venture with Prudential Plc, offers consumer-engaged health and life insurance products through PruHealth and PruProtect. PruProtection has successfully leveraged Discovery’s Vitality-integrated approach in both markets.
In the United States, Discovery launched a stand-alone version of our leading wellness programme, Vitality, which is being sold to self-insured, large employer groups and to healthcare carriers. Through this model, they are able to capitalise on the emerging trend towards wellness in the US.
Discovery Holdings listed on the JSE in 1999 and has no other listings on local or international equity or debt exchanges.
You can have peace of mind that Discovery Health places you first with a focus on giving you comprehensive benefits, value for money and services to improve the quality of care available to you. As a Discovery Health member you have access to the broadest and best level of healthcare cover in the market based on your medical condition needs.