Discovery Classic Core vs Classic Smart

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ros_b

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I've done a page-by-page readthrough of the 2025 Smart Plans guide and the 2025 Core Plans guide. I'm currently on Classic Core, looking to move to Classic Smart. The only downside I can see is that on Classic Smart, you have to use a hospital in the Smart network, whereas on Classic Core you can use any private hospital. Advantages of Classic Smart, besides a monthly saving of R830 for a single member, are some day-to-day benefits with small upfront payments, as opposed to zero day-to-day benefits on Classic Core. The only advantages of Classic Core are the freedom to use any private hospital, and a slightly smaller upfront payment required for a defined list of procedures performed outside of the Day Surgery Network (R12200 vs R7000).

So - have I missed something? Are there any exclusions on Classic Smart that are not on Classic Core? Any reasons for a healthy, single person not to change from Classic Core to Classic Smart? (NOTE: I understand that the Essential Smart, Essential Dynamic Smart and Active plans do have greater restrictions. I'm looking only at the CLASSIC Smart vs CLASSIC Core.)
 
ros_b said:
I've done a page-by-page readthrough of the 2025 Smart Plans guide and the 2025 Core Plans guide. I'm currently on Classic Core, looking to move to Classic Smart. The only downside I can see is that on Classic Smart, you have to use a hospital in the Smart network, whereas on Classic Core you can use any private hospital. Advantages of Classic Smart, besides a monthly saving of R830 for a single member, are some day-to-day benefits with small upfront payments, as opposed to zero day-to-day benefits on Classic Core. The only advantages of Classic Core are the freedom to use any private hospital, and a slightly smaller upfront payment required for a defined list of procedures performed outside of the Day Surgery Network (R12200 vs R7000).

So - have I missed something? Are there any exclusions on Classic Smart that are not on Classic Core? Any reasons for a healthy, single person not to change from Classic Core to Classic Smart? (NOTE: I understand that the Essential Smart, Essential Dynamic Smart and Active plans do have greater restrictions. I'm looking only at the CLASSIC Smart vs CLASSIC Core.)
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Personal experience, I'd agree with you. I couldn't find a difference elsewise either.
 
Same here! Classic Smart for the win. And I have had hand surgery my wife has had chemotherapy and we had a child on the plan and everything has been covered.

The 1 visit per year dental visit is a bit lame. Dentist won't do ANY big work so it is effectively a check-up. My child needed an extraction I said go for it they said nope it will have to be scheduled and paid for. So bear that in mind. It's a check up not an appointment. Minor technical irritation but worth mentioning.
 
The hospital network thing was a big swing vote for me: I wanted to have access to the hospital closest to me.

I’ll check the Smart Plan’s hospital list again, maybe there have been some changes since I last checked.
 
WholesomeGuy said:
The 1 visit per year dental visit is a bit lame. Dentist won't do ANY big work so it is effectively a check-up. My child needed an extraction I said go for it they said nope it will have to be scheduled and paid for. So bear that in mind. It's a check up not an appointment. Minor technical irritation but worth mentioning.
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I just need an annual teeth cleaning, basically - can go with an oral hygienist, don't even need a dentist proper. The hygienist cost me R800 or so on Classic Core, on Classic Smart I'd only be in for R125. Win!
 
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Foxhound5366 said:
The hospital network thing was a big swing vote for me: I wanted to have access to the hospital closest to me.

I’ll check the Smart Plan’s hospital list again, maybe there have been some changes since I last checked.
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Netcare Olivedale and Morningside Mediclinic are in the Smart network - I'm fine with either.
 
Scooby_Doo said:
Classic core, Costal core, Classic Smart, Costal Saver.

Its impossible to understand it all.
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High nutshells

Classic Core -> Hospital with 200% cover, any private
Coastal Core -> Hospital with 100% cover, any private in coastal provinces, emergency anywhere but planned procedures at hospital outside of coastal has co-payment
Classic Smart -> Hospital with 200% cover, private in network, day to day gp with co-payment, OTC and Acute medicine cover with limits, annual dental check.
Coastal Saver -> Same as coastal core but with MSA and out of benefits benefit.

Very very high level.
 
Kosmik said:
High nutshells

Classic Core -> Hospital with 200% cover, any private
Coastal Core -> Hospital with 100% cover, any private in coastal provinces, emergency anywhere but planned procedures at hospital outside of coastal has co-payment
Classic Smart -> Hospital with 200% cover, private in network, day to day gp with co-payment, OTC and Acute medicine cover with limits, annual dental check.
Coastal Saver -> Same as coastal core but with MSA and out of benefits benefit.

Very very high level.
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Seems for the money, Classic smart seems like the "smart" move.
 
Hmm thanks for thread.
I'm currently on Coastal Core and after a quick look Classic Smart seems cheaper, twice the hospital cover and includes day to day cover?
What is the catch besides just making sure the hospital/doctor is on the network?
 
Classic smart is the way. Used to do that MSA thing but can't afford it now.
 
Brawler said:
Hmm thanks for thread.
I'm currently on Coastal Core and after a quick look Classic Smart seems cheaper, twice the hospital cover and includes day to day cover?
What is the catch besides just making sure the hospital/doctor is on the network?
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Exactly - which is why I started this thread. Just trying to make sure there is no catch, once I'm happy with the hospitals in the network.
 
Anyone made any progress with this? (Classic Smart)
I've gone through the documents again and checked the local hospitals and doctors and it seems like they all still covered.
Still looking for the 'gotcha' but cannot find it.
Reckon I'm going to make contact with my companies medical aid dept later.
@ros_b @Scooby_Doo
 
Brawler said:
Anyone made any progress with this? (Classic Smart)
I've gone through the documents again and checked the local hospitals and doctors and it seems like they all still covered.
Still looking for the 'gotcha' but cannot find it.
Reckon I'm going to make contact with my companies medical aid dept later.
@ros_b @Scooby_Doo
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I've been on it since inception but also to be honest, not had a hospital issue yet but thats the least of my worries.

The day to day and medicine cover has helped tremendously. Actually moaned at the my wife who was complaining about sore feet etc, "FFS its R65, just go to the damn doctor and stop googling symptoms!".

Our MSA would have been toast long ago.

The ONLY downside I've found, although its relative , are for bigger day to day like main dentistry, optometry etc but that all comes out your MSA anyway.
 
Brawler said:
Anyone made any progress with this? (Classic Smart)
I've gone through the documents again and checked the local hospitals and doctors and it seems like they all still covered.
Still looking for the 'gotcha' but cannot find it.
Reckon I'm going to make contact with my companies medical aid dept later.
@ros_b @Scooby_Doo
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I took the leap and changed. You also get R850 odd for over the counter meds for the year.

Double checked that my doc is covered in the smart network and it seems he is. So couldn't find a reason not to switch.
 
Scooby_Doo said:
I took the leap and changed. You also get R850 odd for over the counter meds for the year.

Double checked that my doc is covered in the smart network and it seems he is. So couldn't find a reason not to switch.
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Acute meds are also paid for separately ( schedule 3 + that get prescribed ). I think ours is like R2.3k a year.

On the Classic Smart Plan you have cover for prescribed day-to-day medicine On the Classic Smart Plan, you have cover for affordable generic schedule three (3) and above medicine prescribed by your Smart Network GP, as long as it is obtained from a network pharmacy and not for medicine on the day-to-day medicine exclusion list. Where your Smart GP prescribes non-generic medicine, your pharmacist will suggest cost-efficient generic medicines that are equivalent (have the same effect as the original medicine). You do not have cover for medicine that is prescribed by a specialist or a non-network GP, or if the medicine falls within the exclusion list on page 3 below. Cover for acute medicine on the Classic Smart Plan is subject to an annual limit of R1,820 per person a year or R3,030 for a family for schedule 3 and above acute medicine prescribed by a Smart Network GP and obtained from a network pharmacy, which is any MedXpress Network Pharmacy.
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There is an annual benefit limit for over-the-counter medicine You are covered for over-the-counter medicine up to R835 a family a year on the Classic Smart Plan, and up to R560 a family a year on the Essential Smart and Essential Dynamic Smart plans.
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Thanks guys.
The PSG health consultant reckons there are no further catches and "Discovery made extensive arrangements with the hospitals on the network especially in Western Cape.".

Going to switch.
 
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