Discovery Essential Priority medical aid (2026)
Discovery Essential Priority is a comprehensive medical aid plan from Discovery Health Medical Scheme. In 2026 it costs R4,528 a month for a main member, R3,561 per adult dependant and R1,808 per child.
Source: Discovery Health Medical Scheme 2026 published contributions (Discovery Health website)Last reviewed
Contributions
Main member
R4,528
Adult dependant
R3,561
Child dependant
R1,808
Dependant rules: max 3 children, each under 21.
In-hospital
- Hospital network
- Any private hospital at 100% of DHR.
- Specialist rate
- Up to 100% of DHR in hospital; Specialist Payment Gap cover.
- Specialist payment gap
- Specialist Payment Gap (Premier).
Day-to-day
- Day-to-day benefits
- MSA + ATB.
- Savings account (MSA)
- Lower MSA than Classic Priority.
- Above-Threshold Benefit
- ATB with sub-limits.
Chronic & specialised
- Chronic conditions
- CDL + 23 additional chronic conditions.
- Specialised medicines
- Specialised Medicine Benefit.
Oncology & innovation
- Oncology
- Full oncology at scheme rate.
- Innovation / advanced illness
- Advanced Illness Benefit covers approved treatments.
Maternity & mental health
- Maternity programme
- Antenatal and post-natal benefits at 100% of DHR.
- Mental wellbeing
- Counselling and psychiatry per plan limits; chronic mental illness on CDL list at PMB level.
Wellness & extras
- Wellness programme
- Vitality programme (optional separate subscription, not a scheme benefit).
- Africa evacuation
- Emergency evacuation in sub-Saharan Africa via Discovery 911.
- International travel
- International Travel Benefit included.
- ART (assisted reproductive)
- Not covered.
FAIS Disclaimer
This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice. Consult a registered financial adviser (FSP) before making any medical aid decision. Contributions shown are current-year (2026) figures from official scheme sources.
Compare Discovery Essential Priority with
Similar 2026 plans in the same category, closest in price first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Discovery Essential Priority costs R4,528 a month for the main member, R3,561 per adult dependant and R1,808 per child in 2026. Up to 3 children are charged, each under 21.
Lower MSA than Classic Priority. The main-member savings allocation is R9,432 a year.
Discovery Essential Priority uses the Any hospital network. Any private hospital — your choice is not limited to a named list. Some plans still charge a fixed co-payment on planned admissions, so check the plan’s own hospital benefit. Any private hospital at 100% of DHR.