Affordable cover for accidents and medical emergencies through Discovery Emergency Cover

Highlights:

• The Discovery Emergency Cover range of options will be available from 1 January 2025
• Employees and their families will now have access to extensive cover for accidents and trauma events, treatment in casualty and for emergency in-hospital procedures
• Discovery Emergency Cover is offered through three packages – Emergency Core, Emergency Plus, Emergency Max - starting at R90 per month
• Emergency Core can be purchased as a standalone package. Emergency Plus and Emergency Max will complement the existing Flexicare health insurance product, which offers access to affordable, high-quality, primary healthcare services.
• The Discovery Emergency Cover range is offered by Discovery Insure and administered by Discovery Health.

24 October 2024, Johannesburg: Discovery Health has introduced a new Discovery Emergency Cover range, available from 1 January 2025. This new range of non-medical scheme products will include cover for treatment in casualty and emergency-related hospital admissions and is designed to remove the financial burden associated with unexpected medical emergencies.

The Discovery Emergency Cover range provides cover of up to R1 million for emergency healthcare services and associated hospital admissions, offering peace of mind to clients and enabling them to seek private care without delay.

Addressing the growing demand for emergency care

Globally, millions of people require emergency medical attention each day. In 2021, the U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 139.8 million emergency department visits, with 13% of cases requiring critical care.

In South Africa, the demand for emergency services is similarly high. In 2023, more than 780,000 casualty cases were recorded across the various medical schemes and health insurance products administered by Discovery Health.

Maria Makhabane, Chief Growth Officer at Discovery Health, underscores the importance of accessible, high-quality emergency care: "When faced with an accident or medical emergency, people need prompt access to quality healthcare without the burden of significant out-of-pocket expenses."

A study published by the South African Family Practice found that trauma-related conditions were the most common reason for visits to the emergency department, accounting for 36.5% of cases at a South African hospital. Road accidents, in particular, play a significant role in the need for emergency care in South Africa - a country with one of the highest road fatality rates globally. Additionally, medical emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes are common, with the Heart & Stroke Foundation reporting that 10 strokes occur every hour in South Africa.

Emergency care as a life-saving intervention

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises that over half of deaths and more than a third of disabilities in low- and middle-income countries could be prevented through effective emergency care.

Makhabane highlights that 82% of medical emergencies treated in casualty facilities can be resolved on the same day without the need for hospital admission, demonstrating the life-saving potential of timely emergency intervention.

Managing the costs of emergency healthcare

Accessing private emergency care can be costly, and Makhabane points out that financial concerns often deter people from seeking medical care, even when this is most needed: "One of the greatest challenges individuals face during emergencies is the unexpected cost of in-hospital or casualty visits," she says.

Discovery Health’s data reveal that the average casualty visit at a private facility costs R3,000, while the average in-hospital care for emergencies ranges from R68,000 to R405,000. In some instances, costs can exceed this, with one Discovery Emergency Cover member’s emergency claim exceeding R500,000.

These costs can cause emotional distress and significant financial strain, often preventing people from seeking the medical attention they urgently need.

Discovery Emergency Cover: Enabling access to emergency care

To address these financial challenges, Discovery Health has introduced three emergency care packages, providing extensive coverage for accidents, trauma, and emergency medical conditions:

• Emergency Core: Priced at R90 per month, this package covers emergency healthcare services, including casualty and in-hospital treatment for a wide range of accidents and trauma.
• Emergency Plus: For R140 per month, this package offers coverage for accidents and trauma, as well as the stabilisation and treatment of emergency medical conditions, including heart attacks and strokes.
• Emergency Max: At R190 per month, the Max package provides coverage for accidents and trauma, as well as the stabilisation and treatment of emergency medical conditions, with additional in-hospital coverage for nine critical medical conditions, including heart attacks and strokes.

The Emergency Core package is available as a standalone product, while Emergency Plus and Emergency Max are designed to complement the Flexicare day-to-day health insurance plans, offering a robust combination of coverage for primary and emergency care.

"Discovery Emergency Cover provides a safety net for life's unexpected emergencies, ensuring clients receive the care they need without delay or financial strain," says Makhabane.

Health benefits extend beyond individuals

The Discovery Emergency Cover range not only benefits individuals but also helps improve workplace productivity. Employees covered by these products experience better health outcomes, reduced absenteeism, and enhanced overall well-being, contributing to improved workplace performance.

Innovating to make healthcare more affordable and accessible

Discovery Emergency Cover is the result of Discovery Health’s ongoing commitment to making healthcare more affordable and accessible for all South Africans. With this comprehensive protection, clients can focus on their recovery, knowing they are financially safeguarded during medical emergencies.

Note to editors

• Discovery Emergency Cover is not a medical scheme, neither is it intended to be a substitute for medical scheme membership.
• Medical aid schemes differ from private health insurance. They are governed by national regulations that require all schemes to pay for a basic level of care for 27 chronic conditions and 270 diseases – a set of conditions called prescribed minimum benefits (PMBs).
• Discovery Emergency Cover is administered by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd, registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider.
• Discovery Emergency Cover is a non-life insurance policy, underwritten by Discovery Insure Ltd, registration number 2009/011882/06, a licensed non-life insurer and an authorised financial services provider.