Insurance & Medical Aid · Support
Discovery KeyCare Plus Authorisation Contact Details
All Insurance & Medical Aid contactsComplaints & escalation
For a Discovery KeyCare Plus authorisation, call Discovery Health Medical Scheme on 0860 99 88 77, or +27 11 529 6900 from outside South Africa. KeyCare Plus is a plan option of Discovery Health Medical Scheme, administered by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd, and hospital authorisations go through the scheme’s member line.
This page covers preauthorisation on KeyCare Plus. For Discovery’s other numbers, see the main Discovery contact details page.
Discovery KeyCare Plus authorisation contact details at a glance
| Route | Details |
|---|---|
| Hospital authorisations, claims and benefit queries (Discovery Health Medical Scheme) | 0860 99 88 77 |
| Hospital authorisations from outside South Africa | +27 11 529 6900 |
| Discovery 911 medical emergencies and medically equipped transport | 0860 999 911 |
| Get Help on WhatsApp (general medical aid queries) | “Get help on WhatsApp” link on Discovery’s contact page |
| Hours (authorisations line) | Monday to Friday 07:00 to 20:00; Saturday 08:00 to 13:00; closed Sundays and public holidays |
| Hours (Discovery 911 and WhatsApp) | All hours |
Official KeyCare Plus authorisation route
Discovery’s contact page lists 0860 99 88 77 for hospital authorisations, claim queries and benefit information. From abroad, call +27 11 529 6900. The line is open Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 20:00 and on Saturday from 08:00 to 13:00, and is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
For a medical emergency or medically equipped transport, call Discovery 911 on 0860 999 911 with your medical aid membership number; it answers at all hours. General medical aid questions can also go through the “Get help on WhatsApp” link on Discovery’s contact page, which is available at all hours.
What you need before contacting Discovery
Have your membership number ready. Then check these KeyCare Plus rules from the 2026 plan guide, because they decide whether an authorisation is possible:
- Timing: planned admissions must be preauthorised at least 48 hours before you go in. In an emergency you can go straight to hospital.
- Network hospital: KeyCare Plus covers planned stays only in the KeyCare hospital network. Discovery will not pay hospital and related accounts for a planned procedure at a non-network hospital.
- Day surgery: day-surgery procedures must be preauthorised and done in the KeyCare Day Surgery Network.
- Specialists: you need a referral from your nominated KeyCare GP and a reference number from Discovery before the consultation. Maxillo-facial, periodontist and maternity specialists are exempt on KeyCare Plus.
- Casualty: one casualty visit per person per year is covered at a KeyCare network hospital casualty unit. You pay the first R520 and need preauthorisation for the visit.
- GP visits: unlimited with your nominated KeyCare network GP, but preauthorisation is required after the 15th GP visit.
Step-by-step authorisation process
- Have your membership number ready.
- Make sure the hospital is in the KeyCare network.
- For a planned admission, call 0860 99 88 77 at least 48 hours before admission to preauthorise.
- For a specialist, get a referral from your nominated KeyCare GP and a reference number from Discovery before the consultation.
- In an emergency, go straight to hospital or call Discovery 911 on 0860 999 911.
Escalation route
Discovery does not publish a separate escalation line for KeyCare Plus authorisations. Take the query back to the member line on 0860 99 88 77 and note the reference number you are given. Discovery Health Medical Scheme is registration number 1125, and its administrator is Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd, registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider. Other schemes are listed in the insurance directory D to E listings and the insurance and medical aid hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Discovery KeyCare Plus authorisation number?
Call 0860 99 88 77, or +27 11 529 6900 from outside South Africa.
How early must I get authorisation for a hospital stay?
At least 48 hours before a planned admission. In an emergency you can go straight to hospital.
Can I use any hospital on KeyCare Plus?
No. Planned stays are covered only in the KeyCare hospital network, and Discovery will not pay for a planned procedure at a non-network hospital.
Do I need authorisation to see a specialist?
You need a referral from your nominated KeyCare GP and a reference number from Discovery before the consultation, except for maxillo-facial, periodontist and maternity specialists.
Sources
- Discovery, Contact us: discovery.co.za/corporate/contact-us, read 2026-09-26
- Discovery, Going to hospital: discovery.co.za/medical-aid/going-to-hospital, read 2026-09-26
- Discovery Health Medical Scheme, 2026 KeyCare plan guide (PDF): discovery.co.za, read 2026-09-26