Joining your employer
Employer policy
It is a compulsory requirement to belong to a medical scheme as a Country Base Staff (CBS) member. The British High Commission is contracted with Discovery Health Medical Scheme and will pay 100% of the Keycare Plus contribution towards your medical aid for yourself as CBS, your spouse/partner and dependant children under the age of 21. The medical aid contributions are a payroll deduction. If you are currently covered with your spouse’s medical scheme and wish to remain on their scheme, it is compulsory to provide proof that you belong to your spouse’s medical scheme. Please be advised that this benefit is not transferable. If you opt to upgrade your plan from Keycare plus to a higher plan, you will be liable to pay the difference in the plan premiums, this will be deducted from your salary by payroll.
Discovery Health Medical Scheme requires you to join the medical scheme within 90 days of your employment date, to avoid any waiting periods or penalties imposed on your membership for you and your immediate family. Underwriting may apply to special dependants.
If you join after 90 days, full underwriting will apply, which includes the following:
A 3-month general waiting period, during which no claims will be paid.
A 12-month condition-specific waiting period for any pre-existing conditions.
Late joiner penalties, applicable where relevant.
The employer policy and the Country Based Staff (CBS) Handbook confirms all the British High Commission guidelines and rules regarding your healthcare arrangements.
Compare medical scheme options
The selected British High Commission scheme is Discovery Health. There are many different options within Discovery Health medical scheme in terms of affordability and health needs. Use this tool to filter and compare the options that are most appropriate for you and your family.
How to use the tool
- The rates are automatically calculated for the main member.
- Select “add dependant” to add spouse, adult(s), or child(ren).
- Answer the three questions relating to hospital and day-to-day cover.
- Select your budget range using the sliding scale.
- The option comparison tool will start generating your contribution and order based on benefit richness.
- By selecting “Group by plan type”, the table will group the plans allowing you to expand and collapse the groupings.
- To view further detailed information about the plans, select the required plans by clicking on each row. Once completed, click the “View Comparison” button.
- To revert to the list of plans, click the “Back to Selection” button.
Chronic medicine and disease management
If you have been diagnosed with a chronic condition e.g., hypertension, diabetes or an illness (e.g., oncology, dialysis), you will need to register this on your medical scheme. Medical schemes require you to complete a process to ensure registration on the programmes. It is advisable to obtain a membership number and then submit your application for chronic and disease registration.
Loyalty programmes
Discovery Health has a wellness and loyalty programme (Vitality) that provides rewards, discounts and benefits for leading a healthier lifestyle. This comes at an additional cost.
Forms
Each provider has various forms that you may need to complete to ensure you are registered as a member.
Once completed, please send your form to your HR Representative.
If you are joining the medical scheme within 90 days of your employment date
If you are joining the medical scheme after 90 days of your employment date
If you are already a member of one of the existing medical schemes and you need to transfer this to your new employer
Loyalty programme application form