Does your child still qualify for cover as a child dependant

A child dependant is defined in LA Health’s Rules as a child under the age of 27 Years. However, under certain conditions, your child may no longer qualify for Scheme cover at a child dependant contribution rate. A dependant aged 21 or older is not considered to be a child dependant and can only remain on your membership as a child dependant under the following circumstances:

Eligibility requirements	Membership status	Proof
Children between 21 and 27 years who are fully dependent on the main member, including full-time students and part time students, earning a regular income not more than the lowest income band of the LA KeyPlus Option (currently R7 700) each month.	Qualify to remain on the Scheme and pay contributions at Child rates.	If your child is a full time student:  Provide us with a copy of the registration certificate from a registered tertiary education institution. If your child is financially dependent on you, or a part time student, please provide copies of the child’s bank statements for the most recent three months.

If your child is between the ages of 21 and 27 and no longer dependent on you for care and support (earning more than the lowest income band of the LA KeyPlus Option (currently R7 700) each month), they may remain on the Scheme but contributions will be charged at Adult Rates. You must supply the Scheme with an affidavit confirming the dependency and a copy of the child’s bank statements for the last 3 months.

Children who are older than 27, may remain on the Scheme and will pay contributions at Adult rates.

Please note:  if your child is permanently (physically or mentally) disabled and dependent on you for care and support, and the Scheme has received the necessary proof of such disablement, your child will remain registered on the Scheme and pay contributions at child rates irrespective of the age of that child.

Important information

You have to send us your proof before 31 March every year, until your dependant turns 27. If during any year in which your child is between the ages of 21 and 27, you do not provide us with proof that your dependant is a full time student, part time student or dependent on you for support and care, the Scheme will automatically charge contributions based on adult rates with effect from 1 May of that year.

It is important to remember:

1. The contributions are higher for an adult dependant than for child dependants.
2. Contributions automatically increase to adult dependant rates from 1 May of the year your child turns 27 years. Medical Savings Account and Above Threshold values (if applicable) will be affected as these values will increase when we charge contributions at higher rates.
3. There are no backdated changes for the year after we change the rate of contribution for your child dependant. Therefore it is very important that you provide the information by 31 March every year.

Please email the documents to confirmation@discovery.co.za or fax it to 011 539 1198.

If you have any questions, please contact the call centre on 0860 103 933.