Ampath is greedy for money

<p>I went to see my Gynae for a routine Pap Smear on 25 November 2016. The lab work was sent to Ampath Labs as the Gynae prefers to work with them. The Gynae sent me the results on 5 December 2016. I have resigned from my job but was still covered by my Medical Aid until 30 November 2016. I anticipated that the Medical Aid would still pay for the lab work as the funds that I had paid for the Gynae visit had been refunded to me on 01 December 2016 ( My former medical aid has pay run dates on the 1st and 14th of every month).</p> <p> </p> <p>However, on Tuesday 06 December 2016 I received a call from a lady from the Debtors Office of Ampath in Durban. I found this strange as I am based in Jhb, I had worked at the Hospital at which the tests were done and it had only been 10 days since the Pap Smear. Discovery and Discovery administered medical aids( ofwhich I was a member ) usually take about 21 days to pay out claims. Melissa informed me that my Medical Aid was inactive and that there were two outstanding amounts that needed to be paid.</p> <p> </p> <p>I was upset at being contacted by the Debtors office (as if I was some kind of payment dodger) especially when the date of service was quite recent, however I considered that there might have been a late submission to the Medical Aid (the medical aid was liable to pay since membership had only terminated at the end of November). So I went back to MediClinic and paid the amount of R1176.90 at the Ampath Lab on site. </p> <p> </p> <p>I was informed by one of the staff that it was unusual to pursue payment so quickly especially as Discovery takes time to pay Ampath. He even asked if the Medical Aid had given a reason for non-payment considering the date of service.</p> <p> </p> <p>I discovered that Remedi Medical Aid hadn't given a reason for non-payment because PAYMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO GO OFF ON 14 DECEMBER 2016 and the costs will be paid IN FULL!!!!!</p> <p> </p> <p>I am livid because Ampath's Debtors Office couldn't even wait for the normal process to be followed. Do they contact every patient 10 days after date of service? My account was not even extremely overdue yet I was humiliated and made to feel like I knew my Medical Aid was inactive and tried to dodge payment. I will have to make another unnecessary trip to MediClinic to try to rectify the situation wasting time and paying for parking. </p> <p> </p> <p>I will not approach Remedi for a refund because the Medical Aid pays the provider. It was Ampath who disturbed the cascade because they found out my membership was inactive and were probably worried that they wouldn't get any money out of me if they didn't bug me ASAP. Well, I'M the one that is out of pocket R1176.90 twice over. I have informed the lady that called me that I will be pursuing legal action if I do not get my money back timeously.</p> <p> </p> <p>As a Pharmacist who has worked in many hospitals I will advise everyone I know to avoid Ampath and use Lancet Laboratories instead. If I visit any doctors in future I will check who their preferred lab is and if it is Ampath, I will request Lancet or change doctors!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>