It's all too easy to brush off that mild headache as being a by-product of a stressful day, too much coffee and too little water. But what if it isn't?
Sometimes seemingly insignificant niggles are signs of something else going on in the body. Every so often, there aren't any obvious signs at all. In fact, some health conditions are even dubbed "silent killers" because by the time symptoms surface, a disease is already at an advanced stage. A health check-up is an opportunity to ensure that if there are even "silent signs" of an imbalance in the body, that they can be picked up early enough for healthy interventions or treatment plans.
"This is important because it reduces your risk of more severe or chronic health conditions, improves your quality of life and can even be lifesaving in many instances. Screening can literally save your life," says Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, Head of Discovery Health's Centre for Clinical Excellence.
Screening made easy with the WELLTH Fund
At the start of 2023, Discovery Health Medical Scheme members will have access to a once-off, additional risk benefit (separate from the existing Screening and Prevention Benefit) - the WELLTH Fund. This benefit is all about encouraging proactive health checks and preventive screening and is available for all existing and new members to make the most of.
The WELLTH Fund will be offering up to R10,000 in screening funding per family, with the breakdown being as follows:
- Adults (18 years and older) will have an allocation of R2,500 each
- Children (2-18 years of age) will have an allocation of R1,250 each
*Children under the age of 2 will automatically have access to the fund once a principal member has unlocked it.
The value of this benefit is allocated according to the make-up and size of a family on a policy and becomes active when each member (over the age of two) books and goes for their all-important health check.
What screenings will be covered by the WELLTH Fund?
"The WELLTH Fund gives you and your family access to a comprehensive list of discretionary healthcare screening services to take proactive care of individual health needs. Any necessary screenings can be funded by the benefit, up to the allocated limit stipulated per individual. Qualifying services are also covered up to a maximum of the Discovery Health Rate," explains Dr Nematswerani.
All adults and children will have access to:
- General health screenings
- Physical health screening
- Mental health screening
- Women and men's specific health screening
- Children's specific health screening
- Medical monitoring devices for condition management purposes
Here are recommended health screenings you should consider based on age and gender
What may not be covered?
"The usual general exclusions according to specific plans will apply," says Dr Nematswerani. "For instance, if a particular plan type normally excludes cover for specific health screening services, members may not be able to claim against the WELLTH Fund. This will also include medications that could be prescribed following certain screenings - like high blood pressure," she adds.
"From this handy list, what may not be covered by the WELLTH Fund may be claimed against other benefits, such as the Screening and Prevention Benefit or Hospital Benefit. If medications are needed, members can claim this against their Medical Savings Account or Chronic medication benefit."
Learn more about the WELLTH Fund and how a Health Check unlocks your access to the once-in-a-lifetime benefit here.
The Discovery Health Medical Scheme is an independent non-profit entity governed by the medical schemes act, and regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes. it is administered by a separate company, Discovery Health (pty) ltd, an authorised financial services provider.