Categories: discovery health medical scheme

46% increase in mental health condition prevalence since 2012, among Discovery Health Medical Scheme members

29 October 2025 12:01

Johannesburg, 28 October 2025 – New research reveals a sharp rise in mental-health condition prevalence among Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s (DHMS) members over the past 13 years. In 2024, one in seven DHMS members (15% of the overall Scheme population) registered or claimed for a mental health condition – up from one in ten (10%) in 2012 - equivalent to a 46% increase in prevalence over time.

Discovery Health Medical Scheme defers 2026 contribution increases to April and unveils new plans for young families, plus richer day-to-day benefits

30 September 2025 15:22

Discovery Health Medical Scheme has announced a 7.2% weighted average contribution increase for 2026. Notably, 65% of members will experience only a 6.9% increase, while contributions for members on Active Smart plans will remain unchanged (0% increase). In an effort to support affordability, the Scheme will defer all contribution increases to 1 April 2026, leveraging its strong solvency position.

Discovery Health and Parent Sense partner to provide expectant and new parents with app-based, personalised, expert-led support – at no extra cost

23 September 2025 09:40

Access to the Premium edition of the Parent Sense app provides for medically vetted, expert-led, always-on support delivered to Discovery Health Medical Scheme members navigating pregnancy and parenthood.

World-first: Personal Health Pathways by Discovery Health takes 2.1 million adult medical scheme members on a hyper-personalised health journey powered by predictive AI tech

3 March 2025 07:00

[disclaimer] This press statement is issued by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd, registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider and accredited administrator of medical schemes on behalf of Discovery Health Medical Scheme, registration number 1125, which it administers.
Harnessing the power of advanced, evidence-based data science and artificial intelligence (AI), Discov

Discovery Health Medical Scheme launches Active Smart: affordable healthcare for new entrants and young professionals

12 November 2024 13:12

[disclaimer] This press statement is issued by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd, registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider and accredited administrator of medical schemes on behalf of Discovery Health Medical Scheme, registration number 1125, which it administers.
Key highlights:
Launch date: Subject to the approval by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS), an

Discovery Health Medical Scheme introduces new plan for young professionals, enhances member benefits, and raises contributions by 7.4% to 10.9% for 2025

17 September 2024 15:57

Discovery Health Medical Scheme announces a new plan for young professionals, adds to the day-to-day benefits of members through a new Personal Health Fund, and increases contributions by 7.4% to 10.9% across its plan range in alignment with projected medical inflation for 2025.
This press statement is issued by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd, registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised finan

Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) prioritises members’ wellness, alongside continued focus on sustainability

31 July 2024 12:53

Johannesburg, 31 July 2024: Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) continues to demonstrate strong performance, financial certainty and sustainability for members’ peace of mind.
Presenting at the Scheme’s Annual General meeting (AGM), Discovery Health Medical Scheme Principal Officer, Charlotte Mbewu, reflected on the achievements of the 2023 financial year. Results presented show that the S

Mental health matters: Prioritising wellbeing in university students

28 June 2024 08:30

University students are likely to experience mental health issues. What are the warning signs? And how can healthy eating, exercise and financial savvy play a role in protecting mental health?
28 June 2024, Johannesburg: Discovery Health Medical Scheme claims data show a 120% increase in the prevalence of mental health conditions among young people (ages 18-24) from 2012 to 2022, compared to an

Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s WELLTH Fund pays out more than R600 million since January 2023

8 April 2024 09:16

The WELLTH Fund has already paid out over R600 million to Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) members since it launched in January 2023. The once-off benefit will be available until 31 December 2024. The top five services DHMS members used their WELLTH Fund benefit for in 2023 were to fund visits to dentists, GPs, physiotherapists, optometrists and to obstetricians and gynaecologists. In 2

Discovery Health Medical Scheme data shows over R3.2 billion paid for cancer treatment in 2023

4 February 2024 12:19

Regular cancer screening is lifesaving - the earlier you catch cancer, the better your outcomes
With World Cancer Day commemorated every year on 4 February, latest claims data from Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) shows an improvement in cancer screening rates following the dip noted during the pandemic period from 2020 to 2022. For the most part they have returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Living to 100 and beyond: Celebrating the Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s 90 centenarian members

6 December 2023 14:31

In April 2023, Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) provided cover to 90 centenarian members (people aged 100 years or older), including two semi-supercentenarians aged 105. These members represent 0.0032% of DHMS lives (32 centenarians per million Scheme members). Ironically, DHMS centenarians are healthier than the average elderly member, with a chronic condition prevalence that is similar

Type 2 diabetes: Diagnosis, management, weight loss, remission

14 November 2023 15:01

The world’s focus turns to diabetes on 14 November 2023 – World Diabetes Day. This year the theme is Know your risk, Know your response. Clinical leadership from Discovery including Head of Vitality Wellness, Dr Mosima Mabunda and Chief Clinical Officer at Discovery Health, Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, urge a focus on knowing your risk and managing your weight in tackling diabetes.

New Discovery Health app introduces personalised, end-to-end healthcare journey including 3 cutting-edge, first-in-South Africa innovations

25 October 2023 15:57

The new Discovery Health App offers a personalized gateway to the healthcare system for every Discovery Health customer. It enables end-to-end healthcare system navigation and support. The App provides access to cutting-edge digital healthcare technology and services for customers. The App integrates everything to do with one’s health in one place, so that customers can easily check in on their

Tackling the rising tide of depression through screening, prevention and digital therapeutics for mental health

11 October 2023 09:40

Across the world and in South Africa, depression is the most common form of mental illness. 1 in 3 people in South Africa experience a mental health issue. Only 1 in 10 people with a mental health issue have access to treatment. What role do healthy eating, exercise, holistic healthcare, and digital therapeutics for mental health play in tackling the unprecedented rise in mental illness – par

Discovery Health Medical Scheme announces 2024 contribution increase

26 September 2023 15:38

Issued on behalf of Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS)
Please note that the announcement below in respect of the Discovery Health Medical Scheme 2024 contributions and/or benefits changes have been submitted to the Council for Medical Schemes and is subject to its approval.
Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) has announced a weighted average contribution increase across all benefit p

Diabetes and heart disease: Predictive analytics identify future risk to protect health and life span

4 July 2023 14:34

Issued on behalf of Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS)
Here’s a potentially life-saving equation: Regular health checks plus innovative predictive analysis equal a good chance of identifying (and subsequently, treating) serious diseases early on. This approach ensures investment into one’s lifespan and health span. How is this being applied to tackling common noncommunicable diseases like d

Understand and use your medical scheme’s screening and prevention benefits

1 June 2023 11:03

Issued on behalf of Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS)
It’s all too easy to brush off that mild headache as being a by-product of a stressful day, too much coffee or too little water. But what if it isn’t? Sometimes seemingly insignificant niggles are signs of something else going on in the body. And sometimes, there aren’t any obvious signs at all.
In fact, some health conditions are e

What can a Health Check do for you today that burgers for lunch everyday won’t?

6 April 2023 10:56

It can prevent a heart attack or perhaps a stroke or even the development of certain cancers. The lifestyle choices you make today can largely determine your health in the long-term.
It’s a well-known fact that fast food is generally high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. The body reacts to these in negative ways, namely the development of illness, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, an

Financial relief provided to members of Discovery Health Medical Scheme as 2023 contribution increase deferred to 1 April, with the Scheme optimally priced for expected claims

21 September 2022 15:17

Discovery Health Medical Scheme members to save almost R1.9bn in the first three months of 2023, access exciting new health-enhancing benefits and an innovative new network-based plan. Judicious use of excess Scheme solvency provides both financial relief and new benefits to members.
21 September 2022 – Today, Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) announced that its members will only pay m

New KeyCare Start Regional medical aid option embraces shift towards affordable healthcare, featuring access to cutting-edge healthcare technologies and partnerships

24 May 2022 00:00

Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) has introduced a first-of-its-kind, regional medical aid option called KeyCare Start Regional, which is the most affordable option in the extensive range of DHMS plan types.
“The new option, developed in partnership with Mediclinic and Intercare, provides benefits for a full suite of day-to-day healthcare and in-hospital treatment through region-specific p