JM
Janine M
1 reviews | Active since Jul 2022
04 Aug 2025, 10:49
11 Years of Loyalty to Cancelled
We have been loyal members of Bestmed for a total of 11 years and have never belonged to any other medical aid. Over the last 4 years, there have been no chronic condition diagnoses and no PMB claims.
This year, my husband was diagnosed with depression. His psychologist confirmed that this was the result of work-related stress over the past 2–5 years (we own our own business, which we started at the end of 2017). When we attempted to claim for sessions under the PMB benefit, our membership was suddenly cancelled for non-disclosure.
We work in the health care industry and believe strongly in the philosophy of prevention. My husband has been in recovery for over 11 years and has always proactively worked on his mental health to avoid relapse or crisis. Bestmed has had access to all our medical records for years — yet this is how we are treated.
After over a decade of loyalty, this experience has left us shocked, disappointed, and without medical cover.
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Replies (2)JM
Janine M's updateReviewer Update
04 Aug 2025, 16:03Thank you for your reply, although I must point out that it appears to be a generic and pre-prepared statement rather than a direct response to the specific facts of my case.
You mention that my query has been “escalated to your Corporate Governance Department” for review. This is curious, given that my review contained no personal information that could possibly be reviewed — it was simply my account of what happened after 11 years of loyalty to Bestmed. I therefore find it misleading to suggest that an escalation is now underway.
The reality is this:
- Bestmed had full access to our medical history throughout our membership.
- There were no chronic diagnoses or PMB claims for the last 4 years.
- My husband’s depression diagnosis earlier this year was linked to work-related stress, not a pre-existing psychiatric disorder hidden from the scheme.
- You have chosen to interpret this as “non-disclosure” and cancel our cover retroactively.
This is not about “patience while you await feedback.” This is about a decision that has already been made and a lack of genuine engagement with the facts we have raised — both in our dispute and now publicly. Accordingly, we have proceeded with securing cover elsewhere, continuing to make public the manner in which this matter has been handled.
JM
Janine M's update04 Aug 2025, 16:03
Reviewer Update
Thank you for your reply, although I must point out that it appears to be a generic and pre-prepared statement rather than a direct response to the specific facts of my case.
You mention that my query has been “escalated to your Corporate Governance Department” for review. This is curious, given that my review contained no personal information that could possibly be reviewed — it was simply my account of what happened after 11 years of loyalty to Bestmed. I therefore find it misleading to suggest that an escalation is now underway.
The reality is this:
- Bestmed had full access to our medical history throughout our membership.
- There were no chronic diagnoses or PMB claims for the last 4 years.
- My husband’s depression diagnosis earlier this year was linked to work-related stress, not a pre-existing psychiatric disorder hidden from the scheme.
- You have chosen to interpret this as “non-disclosure” and cancel our cover retroactively.
This is not about “patience while you await feedback.” This is about a decision that has already been made and a lack of genuine engagement with the facts we have raised — both in our dispute and now publicly. Accordingly, we have proceeded with securing cover elsewhere, continuing to make public the manner in which this matter has been handled.
JM
Janine M's updateReviewer Update
08 Aug 2025, 14:34Thank you for your response. While you claim it was tailored to our case, the reality is that your message is nearly identical to the standard replies you post publicly to numerous complaints. It’s difficult to take any promise of a “fair review” seriously when every communication feels like it’s been copied and pasted.
We have been treated with cold procedural dismissal. What’s most concerning is the way mental health is being handled — not with support, but with punishment. The moment we requested help under PMB for a legitimate diagnosis our cover was revoked. Not just the application denied — the entire membership cancelled retroactively.
The message this sends is both dangerous and disheartening: “Disclose your stress, and lose your cover.”
The complete disregard for our history with Bestmed and the emotional weight of this betrayal, is deeply disappointing.
If this is how Bestmed treats long-term members, then others deserve to know.
JM
Janine M's update08 Aug 2025, 14:34
Reviewer Update
Thank you for your response. While you claim it was tailored to our case, the reality is that your message is nearly identical to the standard replies you post publicly to numerous complaints. It’s difficult to take any promise of a “fair review” seriously when every communication feels like it’s been copied and pasted.
We have been treated with cold procedural dismissal. What’s most concerning is the way mental health is being handled — not with support, but with punishment. The moment we requested help under PMB for a legitimate diagnosis our cover was revoked. Not just the application denied — the entire membership cancelled retroactively.
The message this sends is both dangerous and disheartening: “Disclose your stress, and lose your cover.”
The complete disregard for our history with Bestmed and the emotional weight of this betrayal, is deeply disappointing.
If this is how Bestmed treats long-term members, then others deserve to know.