Essential Core 2026
Hospital Plan Only
Discovery Health Essential Core is a comprehensive medical aid plan that offers value-for-money cover for hospitalisation and chronic medication.
Essential Core 2026 Options & Benefits
Essential Core Options And Benefits: The Essential Core Hospital Plan Only is a cost-effective entry level hospital plan that also includes cover for chronic medication. The Essential Core plan by Discovery offers members complete cover for approved chronic medications when the member uses a MedXpress pharmacy. The plan does not provide day-to-day benefits.
Besides chronic medication, the Essential Core Benefits include unlimited cover for hospital admissions, and in-hospital approved specialists and other healthcare providers.
Discovery Care Programmes
The Essential Core Hospital Plan includes specialized Care Programs for diabetes, mental health, HIV, and cardiac diseases.
- Disease Prevention Programme,
- Diabetes Care Programme,
- Cardio Care Programme,
- Mental Health Care Programme,
- HIV Care Programme,
- T&C’s apply.
Enrolling in condition-specific care programs unlocks additional benefits and services.
Oncology Innovation Benefit
The Oncology Innovation Benefit covers Essential Core members for a designated list of novel cancer medicines, subject to the Scheme’s clinical entry criteria. You will be required to pay 50% of the cost of these procedures.
Get A Essential Core Quote
Please use our convenient Essential Core quote form provided. One of our Discovery consultants will get in touch with you to discuss the best options according to your budget.
Compare the latest 2026 Essential Core plan updates in the table below.
Get A Quote!
Free & No Obligation
Discovery Health Medical Scheme
Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) is South Africa’s largest medical aid scheme, with over 57% open market share, and close to 3 million beneficiaries as of the end of December 2022.
When compared to competitors, Discovery’s shared-value model offers a value-based healthcare system that lowers healthcare expenses and results in lower contributions.
Why Choose Discovery Health Medical Scheme?
The Discovery Health Medical Scheme is the most popular medical aid in South Africa. Discovery Health ensures that your healthcare is in good hands, choose from 25 health plan options tailored to your specific health and budgetary requirements.
Discovery Health History
With the assistance of Rand Merchant Bank, Discovery Limited is created in 1992 as a small specialist risk insurance company. Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS or the Scheme) is a non-profit medical scheme that runs on social solidarity principles, pooling member payments and managing them to support member healthcare fairly.
Discovery Essential Core
Benefits & Options – 2026 Updates
Discovery Essential Core - Hospital Plan Only |
|
|---|---|
| Premium | Main Member |
| R3,138 | |
| Adult Dependent | |
| R2,354 | |
| Child | |
| R1,260 | |
| Benefits | 100% scheme rate in-hospital - any private hospital |
| R7250 co-payment for use of a non network day hospital | |
| Specialists who have an arrangement with Discovery covered in full | |
| Oncology: R250 00 per member, therafter 20% co-payment | |
| Cover for 27 chronic diseases: medication from DSP | |
| MRI/CT scans: Unlimited if part of hospital procedure | |
| No day to day benefit | |
| Personal Health Pathways & Personal HealthFund | |
Essential Core Hospital Plan Only Application
Should you need help applying for the Essential Core Hospital Plan, please make use of our Medical Aid Application Form Help Page, and one of our Discovery consultants will contact you about the Essential Core Options.
WHY USE OUR SERVICES?
Our medical aid consultants at Informed Healthcare Solutions are ready to assist you in getting the best possible benefits to premium value.
In conclusion, we invite you to give us a call on +27 21 712 8866 at any point in your decision-making process for further information about the Essential Core Hospital Plan.
Essential Core 2026 FAQS
What is the Essential Core plan by Discovery Health?
The Essential Core Hospital Plan Only offers cost-effective medical aid that includes vital chronic medication and unlimited private hospital admissions. Members are guaranteed full hospital cover for specialists with whom Discovery has a payment agreement, and up to 100% of the DHR on for other healthcare professionals. Essential Core’s formulary provides full cover for chronic medication at a network pharmacy. The plan also includes prenatal and postnatal care for the mother and baby.
Does Discovery Essential Core plan cover private hospital admission?
Discovery Essential Core plan offers unlimited admission to scheme-approved private hospitals and private day surgery facilities in the Day Surgery Network.
What are the Essential Core plan maternity benefits?
Healthcare services are covered during pregnancy and for the first two years of your baby’s life. This applies to each pregnancy and child up two years old. To activate the Maternity Benefit, create your pregnancy or baby profile on the Essential Core Health app or by using Discovery’s website.