Discovery Health to Expand Flexicare Plus Benefits in 2027
The insurer will add new mental health and maternity support to its Flexicare Plus product starting in 2027.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Mental Health
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From 2027, Discovery Health will introduce new mental health and maternity benefits to its Flexicare Plus insurance offering. This update provides members with expanded access to digital therapy and additional funds for antidepressant medication.
Why it matters
The changes address a significant surge in demand for mental health support in South Africa as identified in the HealthTrend26 report. By targeting high-prevalence conditions like depression, the initiative seeks to align insurance coverage with evolving healthcare needs.
Depression currently accounts for 63% of all mental health claims. Users of the SilverCloud by Amwell programme have reported a 90% satisfaction rate, with 65% of members showing clinical improvement.
The players
Discovery Health
This is a South African-based medical scheme administrator that provides healthcare insurance and financial services to a broad member base.
Auto & General
This company acts as the insurance underwriter for the Flexicare Plus product offering.
SilverCloud by Amwell
This is a digital health platform that delivers cognitive behavioural therapy modules to help users manage mental health conditions.
The details
Members will gain 12 months of free access to SilverCloud by Amwell to facilitate internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy. The plan further includes an additional R1,500 FlexiFund allocation for antidepressant medicine and a R4,000 maternity benefit.
Timeline
The HealthTrend26 report covers data collected between 2015 and 2025.
Discovery Health initially introduced the SilverCloud platform in 2023.
New mental health and maternity benefits begin in 2027.
Health Landscape
The expansion follows patterns identified in the HealthTrend26 report, marking a strategic pivot toward digital-first mental healthcare models. This move shifts the focus from traditional hospital-based admissions toward preventative, internet-based cognitive therapy modules.
Members will gain easier access to mental health resources through home-based digital therapy modules starting in 2027. Additionally, the new FlexiFund allocations will help offset the out-of-pocket costs associated with antidepressant medication.
The takeaway
Proactive management of mental health through digital tools can lead to significant clinical improvements for patients. Policyholders should review their updated 2027 benefits to ensure they fully utilise the newly available funds for mental and maternal care.
Further reading
For more information on national wellness initiatives, visit the Mental Health section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fanews.
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