Discovery Medical Aid question

[Lefty309]

Hi all. My company requires me to get medical aid, something I've never had before. About myself, I am a single male in my mid 20s residing in Durban, KZN. I have no chronic or pre-existing conditions and I suppose I'm reasonably healthy as I work out regularly and eat a decent diet. Never been to the hospital in my life, but I do get sick with the flu about once or twice a year.

After viewing this 2023 Discovery Plan comparison chart, I ruled out the Core plans because they don't have any day-to-day benefits, and I don't see the point in having a Medical Savings Account, so I ruled out the Saver and higher tier plans. My choices are narrowed down to either the Classic Smart (R2412 pm) or Essential Smart (R1727 pm) plans. They are relatively cheap and offer day-to-day benefits with co-payment. I have the following questions:

1. Would these be good choices for someone currently in good health who just wants the bare minimum hospital plan to mitigate the risk of accidents or illnesses happening down the line and preventing R100k+ in hospital fees?
   
   
2. Between the Classic Smart and Essential Smart plans, the differences appear minor for a R685 fee difference per month. With Classic Smart you get 200% of DHR reimbursement rate for specialists with whom Discovery does not have a payment arrangement with, compared to 100% with Essential Smart. But then couldn't I just go with Essential and use some of the fee difference to pay for gap cover?
   Another difference is Classic offers MRI and CT scans if not related to admission, whilst Essential does not.

 

[Kosmik]

Hi all. My company requires me to get medical aid, something I've never had before. About myself, I am a single male in my mid 20s residing in Durban, KZN. I have no chronic or pre-existing conditions and I suppose I'm reasonably healthy as I work out regularly and eat a decent diet. Never been to the hospital in my life, but I do get sick with the flu about once or twice a year.

After viewing this 2023 Discovery Plan comparison chart, I ruled out the Core plans because they don't have any day-to-day benefits, and I don't see the point in having a Medical Savings Account, so I ruled out the Saver and higher tier plans. My choices are narrowed down to either the Classic Smart (R2412 pm) or Essential Smart (R1727 pm) plans. They are relatively cheap and offer day-to-day benefits with co-payment. I have the following questions:

1. Would these be good choices for someone currently in good health who just wants the bare minimum hospital plan to mitigate the risk of accidents or illnesses happening down the line and preventing R100k+ in hospital fees?
   
   
2. Between the Classic Smart and Essential Smart plans, the differences appear minor for a R685 fee difference per month. With Classic Smart you get 200% of DHR reimbursement rate for specialists with whom Discovery does not have a payment arrangement with, compared to 100% with Essential Smart. But then couldn't I just go with Essential and use some of the fee difference to pay for gap cover?
   Another difference is Classic offers MRI and CT scans if not related to admission, whilst Essential does not.

My family is on classic. The doctor costs are great as they rack up quickly. Nothing wrong with it, as long as you have a good doctor ( check your MAPS ) and hospital you are happy with covered.

We also have a gap plan for extras if needed.

 

[Lefty309]

My family is on classic. The doctor costs are great as they rack up quickly. Nothing wrong with it, as long as you have a good doctor ( check your MAPS ) and hospital you are happy with covered.

We also have a gap plan for extras if needed.

Yeah I noticed Classic is great for families as the cost per child is cheaper than Essential Smart by almost half. But just for myself I'm leaning towards Essential and wondering if this is a good idea

 

[Kosmik]

Yeah I noticed Classic is great for families as the cost per child is cheaper than Essential Smart by almost half. But just for myself I'm leaning towards Essential and wondering if this is a good idea

If no gap, 100% would worry me vs 200%.

 

[Snyper564]

Tldr. If you not sickly day to day isn't really beneficial. Hospital cover is where it's at. It's a grudge purchase always is. Wife managed to ring up almost 200k in hospital bills in less than a week all covered. That's what you wanna aim for. The rest you can self cover

 

[Gtx Gaming]

Classic smart is what I use 200% cover and day to day benefits can go doctor for R60 etc

 

[Thrasil]

if you in kzn also look at the coastal options from Discovery.