Introducing Active Core: a new medical aid option for young families

THE ESSENTIALS

At a glance

Active Core is a new Discovery Health Medical Scheme plan aimed at young families starting out in their careers. Its announced pricing and hospital benefits need to be considered alongside the network and deductible requirements.

The launch example is R3,750 per month for a family of three, with a R500 monthly child rate.
Hospital cover is provided in the Active Network, subject to an R8,050 elective admission deductible.
The announcement includes maternity and mental health benefits and up to R8,000 per family in the Personal Health Fund.

When it applies
Announced with Discovery’s 2027 healthcare updates. Confirm the available membership start date before applying.

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What you need to know

Active Core is designed for young families seeking core risk cover at an affordable contribution. The launch communication gives a monthly contribution of R3,750 for a family of three and a child rate of R500. These are launch figures; your adviser should confirm the contribution for your household.

A central feature is unlimited hospital cover within the Active Network, subject to the plan rules. An elective admission deductible of R8,050 applies. “Unlimited” does not mean that every hospital, treatment or charge is covered without conditions or an amount payable by the member. Understanding the network and when the deductible applies is an important part of comparing this plan.

The announcement also describes access to maternity and mental health care and up to R8,000 in the Personal Health Fund for each family. The summary does not provide the complete benefit schedules, activation requirements or limits for individual services. These details should be confirmed in the official plan documents.

When considering Active Core, start with practical questions: are the relevant network hospitals convenient for your family, how would an elective admission deductible affect your budget, and do the maternity and other benefits meet your anticipated needs? A contribution comparison is more useful when it also considers the costs and conditions that may arise when using the cover.

Original Discovery information

Read the Core Plans 2027 guide, including Active Core (PDF).

Who is this relevant to?

Young families exploring medical scheme membership or reviewing whether a different plan would better suit their needs. Suitability depends on healthcare requirements, location, affordability and the applicable membership terms.

Your next step

Contact your Cherokee Wealth adviser for a personalised comparison with your current cover or other suitable options. Ask for the full Active Core benefit schedule, network information and a contribution quotation.

Important details

The figures and benefits above come from the Discovery Day 2026 summary. The R3,750 example is for a family of three; confirm the applicable family composition and rates. Hospital network rules, the elective admission deductible, eligibility and benefit conditions apply. “Up to” amounts are maximum stated benefits, not guaranteed payments.

Source: Discovery Day 2026 — eDiscoverer launch highlights, October 2026

This article provides general information, not personalised financial advice. Benefits, eligibility and product terms may change. Speak to an adviser about your circumstances.

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