Who is Keycare Plus

Keycare Plus is a network based medical aid option widely recognised in South Africa for balancing cost and access to private healthcare. Offered through one of the countrys major healthcare administrators, Keycare Plus aims to make essential private care affordable by steering members to a specified network of providers while still delivering clinically relevant cover. This piece outlines where Keycare Plus fits into the local healthcare system, the main pros and cons, who the option suits best, and how to get support or contact the provider.

What is Keycare Plus

Keycare Plus is designed as a managed care option. Instead of offering unrestricted access to any private provider, Keycare Plus uses a defined network of hospitals, doctors and allied providers to manage costs and maintain consistent standards of care. Members get cover for acute episodes, hospital admissions and selected procedures when they use network providers. Non network care may be subject to limited reimbursement or pre authorisation requirements, so staying inside the network is important for predictable benefits.

Where Keycare Plus fits in the South African healthcare system

South Africas private healthcare market relies on a mix of open indemnity options and managed care network options. Keycare Plus sits within the managed care category. Its role is to provide an affordable alternative to fully open plans while preserving access to private hospital and specialist care when clinically necessary. For medical schemes and administrators, Keycare Plus reduces claims volatility and supports better cost management. For providers, it creates a steady patient stream from contracted networks and encourages adherence to agreed clinical pathways.

Pros of Keycare Plus

• Lower premiums compared to open indemnity plans. For many households this makes private healthcare viable.
• Predictable benefits when members use the specified network. This simplifies authorisation and claims processing.
• Emphasis on managed care protocols which can support evidence based pathways for common conditions.
• Network collaboration can speed up approvals for clinically necessary procedures and simplify invoicing.
• Suitable benefit packages for acute care including hospital admissions and common procedures.

Cons of Keycare Plus

• Restricted choice of providers. Members who prefer a particular specialist or hospital outside the network may face limited reimbursement.
• Potential out of pocket expenses if members go out of network without pre authorisation.
• Some complex or highly specialised treatments may need referrals or additional approvals that delay access.
• Members who travel frequently or live in areas without network providers may find access inconvenient.

Who is the target market for Keycare Plus

Keycare Plus primarily targets members who are cost conscious yet want access to private healthcare for acute episodes and hospital care.

Typical profiles include:

• Families seeking lower monthly contributions while retaining private sector access.
• Young professionals and small businesses that want affordable cover for emergencies.
• Members prepared to use network doctors and hospitals in exchange for lower premiums.
• Practices and medical bureaus that work within scheme networks and can help members navigate authorisations.

Practical considerations for members and providers

• Check the network list before joining. Confirm which hospitals and specialists are included in your location.
• Always obtain pre authorisation for planned admissions or surgical procedures. This avoids unexpected shortfalls.
• Keep copies of referral letters, radiographs and clinical notes to support claims.
• If you are a provider, verify authorisation and benefit rules before performing non urgent work to reduce claim rejections.

Contact details and support

For the most accurate, up to date contact channels and support options for Keycare Plus, visit the administrators official website and the Keycare Plus product page. The administrators maintain a contact us page and a member portal for claims tracking, authorisation requests and policy information. Members should also refer to their membership card or scheme documentation which lists the correct telephone numbers and email addresses for support.

Who to contact for support

• For new enquiries and sales information use the product or contact pages on the administrators website.
• For existing members needing claims assistance, authorisations or account queries use member services via the online portal or the listed member support phone and email on your membership materials.
• If you are a healthcare provider contact the administrators provider relations or network management team listed on the website for contracting, billing and clinical pathway queries.

Final notes on choosing Keycare Plus

Keycare Plus can be a strong choice when affordability and access to private acute care are priorities. It works best for members who are comfortable using a managed network and who value lower monthly premiums. Before you commit, confirm network coverage for your preferred hospitals and specialists and understand the authorisation rules that apply to planned care.

Administrator

• Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd — administrator for Discovery Health Medical Scheme and the Keycare Plus product.

Official product page

• Keycare Plus product page: https://www.discovery.co.za/medical-aid/keycare-plus

Primary contact channels

• Phone Get Help line: 0860 99 88 77
  Operating hours: 07:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 13:00 Saturday. Closed Sundays and public holidays.
• Online Get Help service and WhatsApp chat: available via Discovery website (use the Get Help link at the top of the site).
• Visit a Discovery Store: use the Discovery website to find your nearest store and book in person help.

Email and direct support

• Discovery does not publish a single public support email for Keycare Plus on the product pages. Members and providers are directed to use the Get Help service, the member portal or the WhatsApp channel for fastest response.
• For general corporate enquiries the site references info channels and contact forms rather than a single public support email. If you want the exact scheme or provider support email for Keycare Plus  check the member portal and provider administration sections and return the verified address.

Provider and technical support

• Providers should use the Provider Administration section on Discovery’s site or the provider portal for contracting, claim queries and authorisations. If you cannot find the provider email on the public pages I can look up the provider relations contact details for you.