Top 10 Discovery medical claims paid in 2024 totalled R70m

Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) says 10 of the highest member claims paid last year totalled R70.5 million.

- Moneyweb

The highest, per its disclosure in a presentation at the scheme's annual general meeting on Tuesday, was for a 75-year-old member who was paid out R9.6 million for "care for [the] long-term use of a ventilator".

To fund this claim, it would take a theoretical 283 years' worth of contributions (nearly 3400 months).

Half of the top 10 claims were for the long-term use of a ventilator, with the youngest patient being a newborn (the second youngest was 16).

There were two newborns in the top 10 list.

Across the top 10 claims, 98% of the costs were covered by the scheme.

DHMS says 2108 individuals claimed in excess of R1 million in the year.

It paid a total of R45 billion in hospital claims last year, with a total of 714,000 hospital admissions. Of these, 35,000 of its members and beneficiaries were admitted to ICU (Intensive Care Unit).

In total, it paid R83 billion in claims expenditure in 2024.