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Discovery Health Medical Aid
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1.4 210 Reviews

Discovery Health Medical Aid Complaints Summary

19 Resolved
191 Unresolved
Our verdict: If considering services from Discovery Health Medical Aid with a critical resolution rate, extra caution is advised. Examine detailed customer feedback to understand the severity and nature of unresolved issues. Be prepared for the possibility of unsatisfactory responses and have contingency plans, including seeking assistance from consumer advocacy groups if necessary.
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Discovery Health Medical Aid reviews & complaints 210

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C
3:19 pm EDT
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Discovery Health Medical Aid vehicle repair

I recently had an incident whereby my vehicle (Ford Fiesta Ambiente 1.4 2017 model) was damaged by a Webber braai lid that had rolled onto the M13 that I drove over at night traveling home from St Marys hospital (where I worked as a Medical Doctor). We put in a claim with our insurance company (Discovery) to have the vehicle repaired. I had already left SA (2 weeks after the claim process started) and have been in the UK for 5 weeks now with my husband joining me on the 4th September.

By way of summary - the entire process with all the various parties involved has been atrocious as Discovery Insure and their associated suppliers have effectively held me at ransom with a car that should have been sold back to Ford and my lease agreement with Ford Credit along with the insurance costs cancelled:

1. Undue delays at every stage of the process:
2. Lack of communication when trying to ascertain why we are in week 8 with no sign of closure or resolution.
3. All parties blaming each other: Discovery Insure vs. Appointed Assessor vs. Ford Waterfall (where the original workshop actually conducted an assessment that I fully trusted to be correct) vs. Durban Panel Beaters (Discovery Insure approved panel beater) vs. Ford Durban (where I was informed that the vehicle had been taken post the small body repairs job at Durban Panel Beaters for a cooling system compression assessment as the car would no longer start 6 weeks later) vs. Ford Toti (where I believe the vehicle is currently located) - 6 parties in total
4. My husband being told by Durban Panel Beaters that the car did not start - the first he heard of it! When it was first taken to Ford it only seemed to be overheating above the normal indicator on the heating gauge - no warning lights on the dashboard appeared & the car was working fine and did start perfectly at Ford Waterfall!
5. Being told that the assessment was only a half assessment that did not include the cooling system (the very reason why the vehicle was taken to Ford Waterfall in the first place)
6. Being informed that a compression test was being done w/c 5 August when in actual fact no such compression test was happening. Being lied to by Ford!
2 weeks later after enquiring about the compression test, Ford then stated that it had not been done - this was then followed by a quote by the same said Ford Toti Dealership!
I am very concerned that the vehicle will not be repaired properly and that the saga will continue for months to come - effectively holding me at ransom, having to unfairly pay ongoing instalments and insurance when in fact the vehicle is no longer in my possession! This is on the back end of Discovery Insure (and I'm assuming all parties thereafter) being clearly informed that I was emigrating and the vehicle had to be sold as a matter of urgency in order to settle financing with Ford Credit. I had to leave on 17 July, 2 weeks after this process started with my husband representing me in SA.

I have absolutely no confidence that this will be resolved - neither Ford nor Discovery have made any attempts to apologise or take accountability or to place my mind at ease.
Even if the car is now "repaired" by Ford Toti in haste - my concerns are that the CPA will come into effect with the new owner when the vehicle again has issues.
Ultimately between Discovery Insure and Ford accountability needs to be put in place!
I have never experienced such atrocious customer service from a company!
Between the 2 parties the vehicle needs to be repaired and sold and my lease with Ford Credit settled.

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4:55 am EDT

Discovery Health Medical Aid chronic benefits

This is a condition in which the lining of the oeosphagus (the food pipe) changes from the usual oesophageal lining (squamous cells) to another (columnar cells) as a result of the damaging effect of the acid. Symptoms associated with Barrett's Oesophagus are those that are associated with acid reflux, namely heartburn and food/ fluid regurgitation.

Barrett's Oesophagus is considered to be a pre-cancerous condition but not everyone with Barrett's Oesophagus is likely to develop cancer. The shift from Barrett's cells to cancer cells occurs along a sequence that consists of unstable (dysplasia) cells that are at risk of developing into cancerous cells. (Barrett's- dysplasia- cancer).

However given the above Discovery Health Medical Aid, does not pay inf full for the scope examinations to detect or onset of cancer or the medication from day to day benefits and also refuse to provide the medication for chronic.

Their actions will result in the on-sett of cancer from this pre-cancerous condition not being identified and ultimately resulting in the death of their member.

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Ni-Shaat Ahjum
, US
Oct 15, 2019 9:38 am EDT

Discovery Health would view the scopes as preventative and may review funding if it is related to a PMB condition provided that the treatment guidelines make provision for it. It would be best to discuss this this your treating doctor. All the best with your query

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5:53 am EDT

Discovery Health Medical Aid poor maternity benefit

I am pregnant and not having the benefit of giving labour in a private hospital. I have been undergoing so much tension - high blood pressure etc because of age and previous history with strokes during pregnancy.
My gynae requested a few scans, and this was denied. I have been asked to do a scan by our GP - and GP's don't do scans. GP referred me to the Gynae (which is on our panel) and I had to pay for the urine tests, scans - everything. Even Gynae visit.
I am still pregnant and baby is due in Sept 2019. I am getting accounts from Ampath for urine samples etc which i have to pay. NOW my question is - why do we have medical aid. My husband and child hardly uses it. I do not know whether this medical aid will cover the birth of my unborn child because i have been made aware of certain hidden fees - which we as clients are not aware off or made aware off.
I was given the option to going to Government hospital at Karl Bremner. This broke my heart and in the same time angered me.

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12:30 pm EDT

Discovery Health Medical Aid vitality

30 days — 6 emails and not a single reply from discovery.

=
Your reference number is [protected]. — it been nearly a month and I still don't have any reply from discovery this! What is the point of me paying for service and I can't use it?

I have sent three emails, and spoken to one consultant about it and have yet to any reply from discovery.
=
Hi there,

image. png

I belong to vitality and need to book flights to Nagoya Japan — but Kulula has no direct fights

I have to use two different airlines, one of which you guys don't support

But as you can see from the picture — there is British Airways on the list, does this mean if I book the flight normally though another system, that I can then send discover the details of the British Airways portion / section of the flight to claim my discount benefit?

Thanks!

Herman

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8:08 am EDT
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Discovery Health Medical Aid vitality

22 March 2019.

[protected]

I was unable to log onto my Discovery app to use my rewards today. I asked around and others were unable to open the app. I think it was a general fault. The points are expiring and want to use them - but couldn't. I had to spend cash to purchase breakfast and a smoothie today as oppose to use my points at Kauai.

If I cannot get money back, or get more points, I would appreciate the points I have to have a longer validation period so I can spend them.

I will appreciate any feedback.

Thank you

Regards

Saul Bloch

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6:59 am EDT

Discovery Health Medical Aid Misinformed and mislead

I have been following up on a claim refund since the 06.03.2019 and after calling in almost every day until yesterday I was told that the money should be released and it wouldn't affect my clawback that I have made an arrangement for.

They lady that initially handled my call ensured me that this claim will be paid out and the money will not go to my clawback, after which I has used money that I needed to pay my bills. I am now in arrears due to the lack of knowledge of the discovery staff.

I was not settled about this and called in the next day and I was told the same, 1 agent I spoke to even told me that the clawback if a different plan and it will not affect my claim and I will be paid out.

I spoke to 6 different people whom all ensured me that the money will be paid via eft, the person I spoke to on Monday told me that if I don't get the money by next day I must call in and they will do a force EFT.

Called back on Tuesday and the guy I spoke to said that it's still within the 5 -7 day turnaround time and that I should call again by today and check if I still don't receive the money in my account.

Each person I spoke to requested me to confirm my account details to ensure the correct banking details are on the system for me to receive payment.

So today I call in and someone decides to do their Job efficiently or correctly ? telling me that I will not be getting paid

I have since spoken to 2 CRMS Michael which I was on the call for 35minutes and Priyan for another 35 minutes who escalated the query to senior management from whom I received an apology that was more of a about being sorry for the staff misinforming me and misleading me.

I was then called by SELWYN CHETTY a senior manager whom keeps on telling me that the staff will be dealt with and that they are new and don't have enough training (how lucky was I to go through untrained new staff every single call I made since my claim was put through) I told him that it is not my problem I honestly don't care as this is about me and he has the audacity to tell me ‘'well everything is about you''. He tells me that ‘'you do know you owe discovery the money ? '' when did I deny that? I have mentioned that from the onset to the staff of discovery upon which I was insured this will not affect anything as I have signed a debit order agreement for the clawback amount to be debited over 12 months which is attached.

Well it is about me right now I have been misled and wronged, due to the incorrect information provided to me by discovery I have utilised money that I knew I would be getting back.

I am now in a financial tuff because of the misinformation which is no problems of discovery ?

It is my consumer right to be Informed and given the facts needed to make an informed choice, to be protected against dishonest or misleading advertising and labelling. The Right to Choose To be able to select from a range of products and services, offered at competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality.

I am totally appalled at the way I am being spoken to and forced to accept what has been done to me.

Very dissatisfied customer.

From: healthinfo@discovery.co.za
Sent: 11 March 2019 11:42 AM
To: Jade Shanker
Cc: Jade Shanker
Subject: FW: Membership No : [protected] -WRefNo#[protected]#- -MailRef#[protected]#-

Dear Ms Shanker
Thank you for contacting us.
Claim for Mauff AC and Partners
We have received your query about the following claim:
Treatment date Amount claimed Amount paid Paid to Reason code Date of payment
2019/02/27 R904.00 R549.60 Member 263, 344 2019/03/07
Reason code 263: We have not paid this amount, as it is outside the scope of our cover. Unfortunately, medical proof doesn't support its effectiveness and long-term outcome. You are responsible for paying this amount.
Reason code 344: We have paid this service at our agreed rates. You do not need to pay this amount.
I have contacted the Account Department at the pathologist to query the reason for the surplus charges.
They have requested a copy of the remittance to be sent to them for further review.
I have emailed the remittance to them for the claim to be reviewed further and await a response from them. Their turnaround time is 5-7 working days.
The account details we have on record for claim reinbursements are as follows:
Name of bank First National Bank
Branch name Remote Banking Service
Branch code 250655
Account type Cheque
Account holder Jade Shanker
Account Number ******0770
If you have any more questions, please call us on 0860 99 88 77, email healthinfo@discovery.co.za or visit www.discovery.co.za
Regards
Mohammad Patel
Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd
On behalf of Discovery Health Medical Scheme
________________________________________
FW: Membership No : [protected] -MailRef#[protected]#-
________________________________________
• To: "complaints@discovery.co.za"
• Subject: FW: Membership No : [protected] -MailRef#[protected]#-
• From: Jade Shanker
• Date: Wed, 6 Mar 2019 13:41:06 +0200 (CAT)
• Accept-language: en-US
• Authentication-results: za-mx.discovery.co.za; spf=Pass smtp.mailfrom=[protected]@gaap.co.za; spf=Pass smtp.helo=[protected]@EUR01-VE1-obe.outbound.protection.outlook.com
• Cc: Jade Shanker
• Delivered-to: complaintsnetcare@discoverylink.co.za
• Disposition-notification-to: Jade Shanker
• Dkim-signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=gaap.co.za; s=selector1; h=From:Date:Subject:Message-ID:Content-Type:MIME-Version:X-MS-Exchange-SenderADCheck; bh=KOLELAgzSvys8ee8/DDiK44mx5/1xRgy520NiKWb7cQ=; b=Kv01t1pOhIuB6OI/RUDhqQjqCHMZhZUYcq5lpMTQwekYWWGrlTB/MsZBTQsnFDOKpZewcn9IR0sesQj5qMyy9TekyNzCaXRlBGxbteLeSrhX6F4F442Ozlq5AXuDJ5XJT1gxcz2OGogu8pDRPKAdAgPwbxOoEVXLfVAQIAG5frQ=
• In-reply-to:
• Ironport-phdr: 9a23:m1rtMh3xCCRmeqLMsmDT+D5fVm0co7zxezUtxN8igrNKfL6k+s24bkPW7O0rh1iPT4yJsqsZ2dqTiLjpXCk72bjEsH0Gd8ATBTI4s51P2jINWYuCA0C9K+P2ZSsnGsgETEVi43ywLUlSHoD5ekHWpXqxqzUVH0emOA==
• References:
• Thread-index: AQHU0mptDEluRaS0hESmp5nu8XG0TKX+eaSg
• Thread-topic: Membership No : [protected] -MailRef#[protected]#-
________________________________________
Good Day

I was referred to get blood tests done by Br B Bishop (Gynaecologist) on the 26.02.2019, he gave me a lancet form with my Auth number on it to do my bloods.

The gynae said that they only deal with Lancet when I queried as I know there are way cheaper pathologists available, nevertheless I went to lancet at eThekwini heart centre on the 27/02/2019 as I knew that the tests will be paid out from my specialist benefit as I has a specialist referral with an auth number.

When I went to Lancet the lady that saw to me insisted that I pay cash as the system does not take the codes for my key care plan, I tried to explain to her that the specialist benefit will pay out as there is and auth number but she wasnât able to assist me as they do not phone discovery from there offices and if the system said it doesnât cover it doesnât (well too bad for me I have no option)

She told me that I can pay cash and claim from discovery, which I did.

They now have charged me out of discovery rates for the blood tests R226 instead of R183.50

I do not see that this is fair me being charged R42.50 extra per test.

This is R170 extra in total that I need to pay because I was charged out of network rates, I am not sending this mail because I am being petty and I do not expect things for free. I do not expect to be ripped off and charged exorbitantly for tests that should be charged a specific amount.

I would like this matter to be addressed with the mentioned pathologist as soon as possible.

Thanks,

From: No-Reply@discovery.co.za
Sent: 04 March 2019 11:12 AM
To: Jade Shanker
Subject: Membership No : [protected] -MailRef#[protected]#-

Dear Member
Thank you for your email.
This is an automated response to acknowledge receipt of your claim(s). Your request will be processed within 2-3 working days.
Your reference number is [protected], and the details of these claims will reflect on your next claims statement or notification.
Please do not reply to this email.

Jade Shanker
Licensing and Debtors Unit 18 Origin Industrial Park, 14 Riverhorse Close, Riverhorse Valley Business Estate
Durban

Tel: +[protected] Ext: 513
[protected]@gaap.co.za
Fax:
www.gaap.co.za
Mobile:

Confidentiality Notice:
This e-mail and any attachments are confidential and/or privileged, and remain the property of GAAP Point of Sale (Pty) Ltd. If you are not the intended recipient, any review, retransmission, dissemination, copy or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail, facsimile or telephone and thereafter delete the material from your computer. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender. GAAP Point of Sale (Pty) Ltd hereby distances itself from and accepts no liability in respect of the unauthorised use of its e-mail facility or the sending of e-mail communications.

________________________________________

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5:20 am EST

Discovery Health Medical Aid the service and procedures

I have been calling in for the past 6days because i am not able to use my Optometry benefits as i was told that the Isoleso department needs to wait for my membership gile to be submitted by Discovery and still no feedback.

I am a new member of your service and if this is the only way I'll be heard and asdisyed than would take step because this is not gonna get resolved neither will i be able to use my Optometry benefits.

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6:05 am EST

Discovery Health Medical Aid unethical behavior

I was at westville hospital for admission on 26/02/19 around 15h00 coming from the DR's room. There was a lady by reception from discovery who refused for me to be admitted. She said she will not authorise my admission. She said Dr is not suppose to admit me, I must go to casualty and I must go for x-rays, she made me go around .I asked who must pay for double charge now that she says I must go to casualty, then she asked me who then must pay.
I was in severe pain with my knees and I had to go up and down because of that lady from discovery.

Im so unhappy with the way I was treated .
She's asking me who is gonna pay.
My question is why must we pay discovery if then they don't wanna pay for our hospitalisation when we are in need.
No respect, no confidentiality for discovery to discuss me in reception like that.
And I feel that my DR's knowledge/intelligence was undermined for her to say I'm not suppose to be admitted.

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3:49 am EST

Discovery Health Medical Aid terrible advice and bad customer services

How does two consultants confirm telephonically that my wife and daughter can be moved from their own policy onto my policy without any hassel. Only for another consultant to tell me after cancelling cover for my wife, completing online paperwork, multiple phone calls only to be told "its not possible" and that my wife needs to "reinstate her policy"!

At this stage I am going to cancel all my bloody business with you for wasting my time! Thousands of rands a month for terrible service!

All I wish to do is consolidate my cover on a single policy to make everyones life easier. Secondly you require paperwork for my step daughter, but I can not email only fax or physically deliver? What planet do you live on

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Ni-Shaat Ahjum
, US
Oct 15, 2019 9:40 am EDT

Good day all

I am here to assist with any ongoing medical aid queries.

I have ten years of experience investigating and resolving medical aid queries and have an indepth understanding of the complex medical aid landscape.

I will take the admin away from following up on queries and will give you an update every 48 hours on the progress of your query.

Straight forward queries may be addressed and resolved easily via the numerous channels available but any more complex queries may take longer to resolve and following up with a big corporate can be time consuming and exhausting.

Let me take over your query for a mere R100 initial consultation fee for the first hour. Thereafter I will only bill the balance of R100 upon resolution of your query. Kindly note sometimes the feedback received may not be positive as there is a legislative framework which needs to be adhered to. In this instance I will provide a detailed explanation behind the rationale and ways to avoid a future occurrence.

M
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Maggie Booysen
, US
Jul 12, 2019 5:46 am EDT

Try getting pregnant and not having the benefit of giving labour in a private hospital. I have been asked to do a scan by our GP - and GP's don't do scans. GP referred me to the Gynae (which is on our panel) and I had to pay for the urine tests, scans - everything. Even Gynae visit.
It would have been better going to Karl Bremer for labour. I am still pregnant and stressed out. I do not know whether this medical aid will cover the birth of my unborn child.
I was given the option to going to Government hospital.

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Linda8448
, ZA
Feb 28, 2019 6:18 am EST

We have just had the same situation. In our case their were about 5 different answers and reasoning before denied. FED UP! Their reviews are extremely concerning too!

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5:40 am EST

Discovery Health Medical Aid Medical aid

Good day,

I have been a Discovery client for more than 4 years and now I have had enough of your pathetic customer service. Every time we submit a claim your system responds with some vague or cryptic error message and I have to try and figure out what it means. No effort is made from Discovery's side.

We have been trying to get a claim processed for almost a month now.

My wife phoned discovery on the 18th of January 2019 to get pre-approval for a range of tests. She spent almost an hour on the phone to going through all the codes on the quotation and the Discovery agent ensured her that Discovery would pay for everything in full.

On 29 Jan 2019 my wife submitted the claim with all the necessary information and documentation via the Discovery app

On 30 Jan we received an email stating the the claim was unclear - refno: [protected]
On 30 Jan we received another email stating the only a receipt was received - refno: [protected]
On 30 Jan we resubmitted everything via email to claims@discovery.co.za

On 4 February 2019 we received an email stating that they only received a receipt of payment. This statement was obviously false as we send 3 different documents containing all practice details and codes.

On 4 Feb a had to phone Discovery to try and figure out what was going on. It turns out in the world of Discovery "only received a receipt of payment" means "membership number incorrect".

On that same they we resubmitted everything with the correct membership numbers.

On 5 Feb we received and email with the same message

On 6 Feb we received an email stating again that the claim was unclear

We then received payment for first amount on the invoice. We are still waiting for the second amount of ~ R 2800

11 Feb we received another email stating that the practice details were missing on the submitted documentation - Again a false statement as both invoices that we submitted contained all practice info including practice codes

11 Feb We resubmitted everything again

At this point we are extremely frustrated with Discovery. Every time you send one of these message we now have to try and figure out what went wrong. The message that your are sending to your customers with this level of service is "We just don't care". How about when there is a problem on a claim you phone the client. How about you put in some effort to get the claims processed. We are paying a lot of money every year to Discovery. Every year prices go up but your customer service goes down.

Today I received a statement stating that Discovery is not paying for the second half.

We have had several reference numbers during this process: [protected], [protected], [protected], [protected], [protected].

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8:29 am EST

Discovery Health Medical Aid approving hospital surgery for my wife

Membership number [protected]
Spinal Surgery to remove slipped disk that has cut into the spinal cord. must be done to prevent paralysis.
Surgery due 12 Feb 2019.

member since 2012. in a time of urgent Need, Discovery informs me that we have to pay R16k upfront to cover the surgery. In my mind my Hospital should be covered and i have no provision for the unexpected procedure.

Discovery Stated that Unfortunately part of the plan i chose in 2012. to date no consultant or broker has ever had a discussion with me about what the plan covers and whether i understand it or that its sufficient for my family.

Sadly, we are most disappointed and if we do not come up with any fund, my wife may not have the operation to prevent paralysis.

Spoke to 3 people at Discovery (Takie, Molly and Emmanuel) - no one was able to assist and kept giving me the same reason why they cannot pay the full surgery. This is not plastic or voluntary surgery.

Thanks for making me doubt whether you going to be there for my family in the future.

Kind regards,

Andre

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2:16 am EST

Discovery Health Medical Aid medical aid - keycare plus

I came to the conclusion that discovery health medical aid is just like any other insurance company. You pay your premiums and agree to the terms and when it comes to the point that there is a claim then they decline it and will have several unrelated reasons why they are not paying. Im so frustrated, disappointed, angry and dispirited. Im starting to regret to have joined this group.
I completed the application process on the 1st of october 2018 and at the time had no medical issues, except for hypertension and I have informed them of that. I was given a 3 month waiting period that expired end january 2019. On the 12th of november (a month and half after completing the application) I fell ill. Went to the doctor, saw 2 specialists, ended up in hospital, had a ct scan and ultrasound done, blood tests, colonoscopy and gastroscopy and eventually I was diagnosed with a kidney stone and secondly with liver cancer.
Wow, what a blow and surprise that was. I had a kidney procedure done where a "jj stent" was placed from the kidney to the bladder. I have informed every medical practitioner that im in my waiting period and would they mind providing a report if its requested by discovery health medical aid.
I have paid for all the consultations, tests, hospitalization, procedures and medication in full. Roughly an amount of r44000-00.

The urologist suggested that the stent and stone must be removed by middle february and the other specialist wanted to wait to do an biopsy on the liver. The biopsy could tell if the cancer can be removed or if I have to undergo chemo therapy. Nothing was done to date related the liver as the kidney issue is to be "sorted" first.

When I did the application I was told that I must inform discovery of any health changes during the waiting period. I did so, in advance before the waiting period would expire. I provided doctors names, dates, procedures and full information regarding my health change.

My issue with discovery now is that I have consulted a doctor in the network on the 1st of february who the have requested pre-authorization to refer me to a network urologist and it was declined. Discovery also have declined the gp his claim for the consultation.

Please correct me if I am wrong but I was supposed to enjoy full benefits according to the plan I have joined as from the 1st of february 2019. I have agreed to the 3 month waiting period with no cover, not even emergency assistance in that time and I have paid 4 premiums to date and still have no cover. Why does discovery not pay the gp? You take my money and deny me the benefits we had agreed on in a contract. I want service!

[protected]@live.co.za

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6:05 am EST

Discovery Health Medical Aid rental vehicle not made available

Our Bakkie was stolen on 18 January 2019. Recovered by the police 19 January 2019. We informed Discovery that they need to collect the bakkie from Police pound 21 January 2019, all the documents was sent to the relevant claims person Vusi handling our claim at that time. It took them a week to collect our vehicle. Then another week to get an assessment on damages. I informed them from the 21st that we have a weekend away booked with our caravan and I will need a towing vehicle for the weekend of the 8-10 February if our bakkie is not ready yet. I was informed that this will not be a problem as we have cover for 30 days for a rental vehicle on our policy. Then come last week Friday and I started to enquire about my rental vehicle for the trip I got told that I can only have a polo hatch back as this was specified on my policy. I have explained in detail to them that I do not intend to use this vehicle for 30 days as stipulated I am entitled to have I only need it for 3 days max. I explained a polo will be around R550 p/d, A towing vehicle will be around R1200 p/d. R550 x 30 days = R16500 that they are willing to spend on me and this was approved. GP553767 AVIS. I only needed a vehicle for 3 days R3600.00, thus a saving to Discovery Insure R12900 but they are not willing to accommodate their client. I even asked to speak to Adrian Gore, that was bluntly refused as he does not speak to the public apparently. I am paying my premiums every single month without delay, without kibbling about it, but when we ask them for help we are bluntly refused.So with this claim we did not get a rental car at all to date. They are saving R16500 by not providing us with a rental vehicle and not willing to help their client in desperate need. I am now losing my accommodation money already paid last year October and I have a family and bunch of friends that are inconvenienced through this due to us not attending the weekend. How can they just be so blunt to their clients needs, they are not even willing to take our case into consideration even if it saves them money.

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3:01 am EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Discovery Health Medical Aid discovery internet site

Good day

Struggling since 2019/01/28
I am battling now for 3 days to get my banking information that is currently on DISCOVERY`S system changed to my new banking info. When you call them, they are unable to assist you, you need to log into the internet site.

And this is were the frustration and fun starts. As the telephone number that DISCOVERY have on their system is still my old number - on the website it is sending a OTP pin. Obviously I am not receiving the pin as my mobile number changed.

So now I end up every time @ FNB.

DISCOVERY is completely incompetent to handle their own queries now, they are using another company.

Each time I phone DISCOVERY they put me through to FNB credit card - there they also keep me on line with so many "secure questions" and at the end are ALSO unable to assist me. Then they put me through to "online secure maintenance OTP" there the lady ask what the card number is that I want to change - well...THERE IS NO CARD! This is for my medical aid Discovery - then I get the answer well sorry madam you need to call discovery we cannot assist you in this matter.

Then I put the phone down and start all over again - and AGAIN DISCOVERY HEALTH put me through to FNB.

How would I EVER get my banking details changed if it goes like this? I need to send a CLAIM to the medical aid. But they are completely incompetent idiots!

I am fed up.

regards

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Discovery Health Medical Aid insurance claim

I have been in the process of claiming for damages on my car after a collision on 8 December 2018. I had my car assessed by a local panelbeater and then by Discovery's assessors. Besides the major disparity in the amounts (approximately R40 000), a few days later I noticed mechanical damage due to the impact and requested that it be looked at.

It is now past the middle of January and still nothing has been done to re-assess the vehicle and Discovery has requested that I take it to the panelbeaters to be stripped and re-assessed. The car cannot start, not be driven. Discovery has not arranged for the assessors to re-evaluate and maintain that their quote is correct despite NO other evaluations being done.

The contact person dealing with the claim accused me of refusing to submit documents and have the car assessed or written off. She was referring to a different claim unrelated to mine. Upon requesting an explanation on how this could have gotten confused, they are evading my queries and are still on page 1 of this claim process. I requested that the matter be referred to a senior staff member and this too has been ignored and they keep sending me the same story over and over.

I have been driving a rental since 19 December 2018 and Discovery is refusing to confirm an extension on the rental period due to their negligence and dealing with the wrong claim midway through the process.

I feel like I am required to do their work for them and my queries are being ignored deliberately. It appears that they want to pass the buck and stand by their claims that I do not want to cooperate. I have done all I am physically capable of to sort this out, but still they cannot seem to get it right.

I am a client of Discovery on several platforms and this makes me wonder if my finances and health are in good hands if a simple day to day insurance claim can create such confusion and provoke such incompetence at my expense.

I have in all this time not once been contacted by a manager or referred to somebody that is capable of approaching this case correctly and legally.

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Discovery Health Medical Aid membership

Membership: [protected] M.M.C VICTOR
I made an EFT payment on 31st Dec 2018. Amount R4968.00 got sms related that my membership has been suspended for none payment. Phone callcentre. Lady said I must send proof of payment to healthinfo@discovery.co.za wich I did. Phone again another lady again sai send proof of payment. In future use this number as reference: [protected]. Waited two days. No reaction. Phone again this moring. Mr Siswe Ponpsi sai I must send proof of payment again with time that I made the payment. Where on a bankstatement do you find the time payment was made? Nowhere. He also said the ref the lady gave me for future payments are wrong. Only nine zero's not ten. I have send an email with proof of payment again. Well now I live in hope! I need answers please. Money into your account and I am without my medical aid. Email: marie.[protected]@yahoo.com

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2:58 am EST

Discovery Health Medical Aid your bully practice of only paying for one brand of medication you decide is suitable for a diagnosis

Discovery you are a vile, greedy, disgusting, elitist, self-promoting entity that uses your size and wealth to force and bully your members into a one fit mould without giving the members options on medication which they may have bad or uncomfortable, be it non-life threatening, reaction to. However, you will only pay for the one generic medication that you are able to source cheaper and which you force down our throats. Because your "experts" do not know of the adverse reaction, does not mean it does not exist! Neither they nor your Board of directors knows all aspects of the human body and its reaction to chemical compositions. Not everyone fits your preferred list of symptoms on a piece of paper.
Your size has made you arrogant and a "know it all" in the industry and you employ all means to enforce your dominance on your members with a "take it or leave it" attitude.
Shame on you!
Stated without Prejudice

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11:50 am EST

Discovery Health Medical Aid let care plus medical aid

We are sitting in hospital for 4 hours and still waiting for authorisation. This is ridiculous. How do you treat people's lives like this. Would in have to die Before I get authorisation. I came in to the casualty ward as an emergency. The doctor has authorised my admittance over 3 hours ago but I am still sitting in the reception area of the hospital with a drop in my hand because I cannot be admitted because of discovery's uninterested approach to my medical care that I am actually paying for. Worst of all this is my first time using the medical aid since its inception. I am furious with the service and lack of care. Get your act together as a company to give clients who are patients the care they deserve

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11:18 am EST
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Discovery Health Medical Aid widow left devastated by discovery after not paying medical bills

WIDOW LEFT DEVASTATED BY DISCOVERY'S REFUSAL TO PAY FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES

Connie McCamlie (membership number [protected]) has been left devastated by Discovery's refusal to pay for hospital and other medical expenses following her husband's death in November 2015.

Discovery unilaterally and without prior notice, reversed all pre-approved payments to these suppliers in December 2015 some three weeks after her husband Roy's death.

Three years later Connie is still seeking justice. On 7 December 2018 Discovery is appealing an order by the Registrar of Medical Schemes ruling ordering it to pay the medical costs.

Just another case of a corporate giant abusing a defenceless widow.

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9:12 am EST
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Discovery Health Medical Aid emergency room payment

Today my wife was admitted to the emergency room at Emfuleni mediclinic after she accidentally inhaled chlorine vapours. Everything went well at the hospital and she was treated and discharged a few hours later. HOWEVER at discharge stage I was informed by the hospital that Discovery is not paying for the ER room doctor and services, BECAUSE my savings are depleted... Since when are emergency cases payed from a members savings account? Why am I paying R8600 a month for? I am extremely unhappy, because as if we did not go through enough trauma already after wat happened to her... now we have to pay the hospital on top of that! It is as if our overpriced medical aids are looking at more and more excuses not to pay for medical treatment! Again I am extremely disgusted by Discovery!

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Ni-Shaat Ahjum
, US
Oct 15, 2019 10:47 am EDT

Casualty claims are viewed as out of hospital treatment when an admission is not required. Depending on your plan this may be subject to your savings account. If treatment was related to a PMB condition the account may however be reviewed by your medical aid as such. You may contact your medical aid to query this and request a review.

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Ansie van Lente
, US
Dec 05, 2018 10:16 am EST

The exact same happened to us at UNITAS Hospital in Centurion.
They are like Hawks and literally charged behind me when we were on our way out of the ER to settle the bill which was R989.00.
Does one have to "shop around" for a decent Service Provider before considering going to the ER?

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Contact Discovery Health Medical Aid customer service

Phone numbers

+27 115 292 888 +27 315 086 444 More phone numbers

Website

www.discovery.co.za

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