Optical Benefit
Optical Benefit
Optical Benefit
2023
Discovery Health Medical Scheme, registration number 1125, is regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes and administered by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd, registration
number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider.
Overview
The Optometry Benefit provides cover for eye-care. Your cover for eye-care depends on the health plan you choose. Certain
optometry-related healthcare services may be unlimited, such as eye tests, and other services, such as cover for hardware and
surgery, are subject to the day-to-day benefit limits available on your health plan, where applicable.
This document explains the Optometry Benefit and gives details on the benefits available to you according to your specific health
plan.
TERMINOLOGY DESCRIPTION
Co-payment This is an amount that you need to pay towards a healthcare service. The amount can vary by the type
of covered healthcare service, place of service or if the amount the service provider charges is higher
than the rate we cover. If the co-payment amount is higher than the amount charged for the healthcare
service, you will have to pay for the cost of the healthcare service.
Day-to-day These are the available funds allocated to the Medical Savings Account (MSA) and Above Threshold
benefits Benefit (ATB), where applicable. Depending on the plan you choose, you may have cover for a defined
set of day-to-day benefits. The level of day-to-day benefits depends on the health plan you choose.
Discovery Health This is a rate we pay for healthcare services from hospitals, pharmacies, healthcare professionals and
Rate (DHR) other providers of relevant health services.
Medical Savings Available on the Executive, Comprehensive, Priority and Saver plans
Account (MSA) The Medical Savings Account (MSA) is an amount that gets allocated to you at the beginning of each year
or when you join the Scheme. You pay this amount back in equal portions as part of your monthly
contribution. We pay your day-to-day medical expenses such as GP and specialist consultations, acute
medicine, radiology and pathology from the available funds allocated to your MSA. You can choose to
have your claims paid from the MSA either at the Discovery Health Rate, or at cost. Any unused funds
will carry over to the next year. Should you leave the Scheme or change your plan during the year and
have used more of the funds than what you have contributed, you will need to pay the difference to us.
There is a limit of R9 550 per person for the year. This is not a separate benefit and limits apply to claims paid from your
Medical Savings Account (MSA) and from the Above Threshold Benefit (ATB). We pay up to 100% of the Discovery Health Rate
(DHR) for the optometrist.
The optometry limit covers lenses, frames, contact lenses and surgery or any healthcare service to correct refractive errors of
the eye, like excimer laser. Eye tests are not subject to the limit and are paid from the available day-to-day benefits.
If you join the Scheme after January, you will not get the full R9 550, because it is calculated by counting the remaining months
of the year.
OPTOMETRY BENEFIT
Discovery Health Medical Scheme, registration number 1125, is regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes and administered by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd,
registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider. Find a healthcare provider and the Discovery app are brought to you by Discovery Health
(Pty) Ltd; registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider and administrator of medical schemes.
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COMPREHENSIVE SERIES
There is a limit of R6 550 per person for the year. This is not a separate benefit and limits apply to claims paid from your Medical
Savings Account (MSA) and from the Above Threshold Benefit (ATB). We pay up to 100% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR) for
the optometrist.
The optometry limit covers lenses, frames, contact lenses and surgery or any healthcare service to correct refractive errors of the
eye, like excimer laser. Eye tests are not subject to the limit and is paid from the available day-to-day benefits.
The optometry limit is applicable once you reach your Annual Threshold. Claims will be paid at 100% of the Discovery Health Rate
(DHR) from the Above Threshold Benefit (ATB).
If you join the Scheme after January, you will not get the full R6 550 because it is calculated by counting the remaining months of
the year.
Visit www.discovery.co.za under Medical aid > Find a healthcare provider or click on Find a healthcare provider on the Discovery
app to find a Smart Network optometrist.
PRIORITY SERIES
There is a limit of R5 950 per person for the year. This is not a separate benefit and limits apply to claims paid from your Medical
Savings Account (MSA) and from the limited Above Threshold Benefit (ATB). We pay up to 100% of the Discovery Health Rate (DHR)
for the optometrist. We pay these claims up to the Above Threshold Benefit (ATB) limit or the benefit limit, whichever you reach
first.
The optometry limit covers lenses, frames, contact lenses and surgery or any healthcare service to correct refractive errors of the
eye, like excimer laser. Eye tests are not subject to the limit and is paid from the available day-to-day benefits.
If you join the Scheme after January, you will not get the full R5 950, because it is calculated by counting the remaining months of
the year.
SAVER SERIES
These healthcare services are paid from your available funds allocated to your Medical Savings Account (MSA) up to 100% of the
Discovery Health Rate (DHR).
SMART SERIES
Visit www.discovery.co.za under Medical aid > Find a healthcare provider or click on Find a healthcare provider on the Discovery
app to find a Smart Network optometrist.
OPTOMETRY BENEFIT
Discovery Health Medical Scheme, registration number 1125, is regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes and administered by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd,
registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider. Find a healthcare provider and the Discovery app are brought to you by Discovery Health
(Pty) Ltd; registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider and administrator of medical schemes.
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CORE SERIES
You will have to pay the account because this health plan does not offer day-to-day benefits.
KEYCARE SERIES
You must go to an optometrist in the KeyCare Optometry Network. This cover is only available every two benefit years (24 months
from last date of service) when making use of a network optometrist who is part of the KeyCare Network optometrists.
Visit www.discovery.co.za under Medical aid > Find a healthcare provider or click on Find a healthcare provider on the Discovery
app to find a KeyCare Network optometrist.
KeyCare Core
You will have to pay the account because this health plan does not offer day-to-day benefits for this healthcare service.
Value-added services
The discount is only applicable to hardware items such as frames, eyeglass lenses and their add-ons.
The discount is not available for contact lenses and professional services such as eye examination fees.
Visit www.discovery.co.za under Medical aid > Find a healthcare provider or click on Find a healthcare provider on the Discovery
app to find a participating optometrist in the network.
OPTOMETRY BENEFIT
Discovery Health Medical Scheme, registration number 1125, is regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes and administered by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd,
registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider. Find a healthcare provider and the Discovery app are brought to you by Discovery Health
(Pty) Ltd; registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider and administrator of medical schemes.
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Contact us
Complaints process
Discovery Health Medical Scheme is committed to providing you with the highest standard of service and your feedback is
important to us. The following channels are available for your complaints and we encourage you to follow the process:
OPTOMETRY BENEFIT
Discovery Health Medical Scheme, registration number 1125, is regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes and administered by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd,
registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider. Find a healthcare provider and the Discovery app are brought to you by Discovery Health
(Pty) Ltd; registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider and administrator of medical schemes.
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