Important Information For All Discovery Health Clients

As we approach the end of the year, it's important that you become acquainted with the 2009 features and benefits of your health cover. Particularly should you wish to make any changes to your plan for 2009.

You can read more about your benefits for 2009 at www.discovery.co.za or in the spring issue of the Discovery magazine, which has been sent to you in the post. Specific plan information will be sent to you regarding the benefits of your chosen Health Plan at the beginning of 2009.

What you need to do now

No need to do anything if you intend to stay on the same Health Plan for 2009. Should you wish to make a change, it is essential that you give us a call or visit www.discovery.co.za where you can initiate changes online directly. Please let us know by 10 December 2008 should you wish to make changes.

The salient points regarding Discovery Health 2009

• Headline contribution increase of 12.8%
• New Key Care contributions to grow private healthcare for the low income market
• New proprietary hospital network offers 20% discount to members of Core and Saver plans
• Vitality members save up to 25% on healthy food at Pick n Pay. From February 2009, Vitality members will earn Vitality points and qualify for a saving of up to 25% on all HealthyFood™ they buy at Pick n Pay. Foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, brown rice and others, which meet Vitality’s HealthyFood™ criteria based on the World Health Organisation nutrition guidelines, will qualify for these savings.

Introduction of a new Plan: Delta Network

The Delta network is available to members on the Classic and Essential options within the Saver and Core plan ranges. The network gives members the ability to access the benefits of these plans at a 20% discount on their normal contribution. The network has been carefully selected using one of Discovery’s key management assets, the Hospital Efficiency Index. The proprietary network is based on individual hospital efficiency and cuts across all hospital groups. In line with Discovery Health's philosophy of supporting member choice, members can still access any hospital for non-emergency procedures outside the Delta hospital network, and pay a deductible of R3500.

Adrian Gore, CEO of Discovery:

‘We are cognisant of the financial pressures on our members in the current environment and take seriously our responsibility to offer them affordable healthcare without cutting benefits. The Discovery Health Medical Scheme is in a unique position in the industry, as one of the very few medical schemes to show an operating surplus and continued growth. I believe our risk management capabilities, effective use of scale and the impact of Vitality in making our members healthier, have enabled us to contain costs and offer our members affordable access to one of the best private healthcare systems in the world.’

Links to recent Discovery news items:

• Discovery Vitality members can now save up to 25% on healthy foods at Pick n Pay
• Life business leads charge to higher profits
• Organic growth and consumer engagement fuels strong performance from Discovery
• Discovery Health Medical Scheme placed on positive outlook
• Discovery excels locally, gains traction in UK and announces US structural change
• Destiny Health triggers its stop loss
• Discovery reports shareholder changes and solid performance
• Discovery SENS announcement

Silke Financial Services has the skill and expertise to advise clients on appropriate and up to date plans for your healthcare needs.