Discovery Health Medical Scheme extended benefits for COVID-19

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What you need to know about the WHO Global Outbreak Benefit and its cover

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to be a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). The WHO Global Outbreak Benefit is available to all members of Discovery Health Medical Scheme during a declared outbreak period. The benefit provides cover for relevant healthcare services, as well as a defined basket of care for out-of-hospital healthcare services, related to the outbreak disease.

This benefit ensures members have access to screening consultations, testing, and management and appropriate supportive treatment as long as they meet the Scheme’s Benefit entry criteria.

Know your risks

You can understand your risk status at any point in time by completing the COVID-19 risk assessment. The assessment is a set of questions which determines if you may be presenting with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 disease or may have been exposed to COVID-19 infection and need a consultation with a doctor. Once you have successfully completed the risk assessment it unlocks additional funding for screening consultations and tests. The assessment is available here or by calling us and following the prompts to complete the COVID-19 risk assessment.

How you are covered from the WHO Global Outbreak Benefit

How you are covered?

This benefit, available on all plans, is covered by the Scheme for cases of outbreak diseases and out-of-hospital healthcare services related to COVID-19 and does not affect your day-to-day benefits, where applicable.

What you are covered for?

This benefit offers cover for out-of-hospital management and appropriate supportive treatment of global World Health Organization (WHO) recognised disease outbreaks and out-of-hospital healthcare services related to COVID-19.

The basket of care includes:

• Screening consultations with a network GP (either virtual consultations, telephone or face-to-face)
• COVID-19 PCR screening tests if referred by a network GP following completion of the Discovery risk assessment
• A defined basket of pathology tests for COVID-19 positive members
• A defined basket of x-rays and scans for COVID-19 positive members
• Supportive treatment, including medicine and a home monitoring device to track oxygen saturation levels for at risk members who meet the clinical entry criteria
• Accommodation in accredited isolation facilities

Cover is subject to the Scheme’s preferred providers (where applicable), protocols and the treatment meeting the Scheme’s entry criteria and guidelines. Any recommended treatment and healthcare services that are not included in the basket of care are covered according to the benefits available on your chosen health plan or in accordance with Prescribed Minimum Benefits where applicable.

In-hospital treatment related to COVID-19 for approved admissions is covered from the Hospital Benefit based on your chosen health plan and in accordance with Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMB) where applicable.

Get the facts and follow preventive steps

COVID-19 and the flu season overlap in South Africa, so it is crucial to have the seasonal flu vaccination as protection against influenza. Please visit the COVID-19 information hub to understand the facts around COVID-19 and the preventive measures that help protect your health.

All medical information found on this website including content, graphics and images, is for educational and informational objectives only. Discovery Health publishes this content to help to protect and empower all South Africans by promoting a better understanding of COVID-19.

Discovery Health Medical Scheme, registration number 1125, administered by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd, registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider and administrator of medical schemes.