AR
Andi R
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2021
26 Jul 2023, 14:30
Blatant disregard for customer wellbeing/ health
My Dr recommended wrote a referral for a specialist to do gastroscopy/ colonoscopy procedure.
I approached Bonitas for authorisation and they gave me a list of Specialists and Hospitals to use.
I'm close to N1 City Hospital, Panorama Hospital and Chris Barnard Hospital.
I'm authorized to use N1 City Hospital but Bonitas specialist list doesn't make provision for a Dr @ N1 City. Why? How? They are prepared to pay for the procedures at N1 City Hospital, but which Dr is going to assist me if they don't have a Dr there?
I can use the Specialist @ Panorama hospital, but Panorama Hospital is not on the list of Bonitas hospital network. So again, they're prepared to pay for the Specialist but for the hospital I'm expected to make a co- payment of 30% because Panorama is not on their list of hospitals.
Basically I'm *****ed.
The Bonitas consultant told me that their lists are frequently updated, therefore in a week's time it's possible that the hospital/ specialist list will be changed.
Now tell me....does this sound like peace of mind?
I'm disgusted with what Bonitas Medical Fund is doing to their customers. It's appalling service.
Their list of authorised Gastroenterologist is not in sync with their authorised hospitals. So basically, Bonitas Medical Fund does not want me to cover my costs for performing these procedures.
It's super disappointing that when we sign up for Medical Aid at the beginning of the year, they don't tell us this nonsense of changing lists, because if they did, then we would find alternative medical aid funds.
I'm super disappointed.
This is not the first time as well. Last time as well, there was drama.
It's a bad medical aid. They've got no regard for day to day health.
Helpful (0)
Replies (2)0
Replies (2)
Bonitas Medical Fund's replyOfficial
26 Jul 2023, 14:33 Hello Andi R
Thank you for notifying us of your complaint. We are so sorry to hear about this, we are glad that you brought this to our attention to resolve.
We are investigating this matter.
We appreciate your patience while we are resolving this query for you.
Kind Regards
Bonitas
Bonitas Medical Fund's reply26 Jul 2023, 14:33
Official
Hello Andi R
Thank you for notifying us of your complaint. We are so sorry to hear about this, we are glad that you brought this to our attention to resolve.
We are investigating this matter.
We appreciate your patience while we are resolving this query for you.
Kind Regards
Bonitas
AR
Andi R's updateReviewer Update
26 Jul 2023, 22:48Thank you for your response.
What Bonitas is doing is really shocking/ unbelievable. It's mind-blowing and designed to frustrate customers/patients.
Your lists states the following as hospitals I can use:
N1 City Hospital
Melomed Tokai
Vincent Pallotti
Melomed Belleville
Melomed Mitchell's Plein
Melomed Gatesville
Kingsbury Hospital
Kuiksriver private hospital
Netcare Blouwberg Hospital
MediClinic Paarl
But guess what, from the above list, I can only get a hospital and a Dr in Melomed Gatesville. I've never set foot in Gatesville....ever....but now, my options are restricted to such a point that I'm forced to go to this area. I have never been or ever intended to go to Gatesville....ever!
I'm 3 minutes away from Panorama/ N1 City, and about 7-10 minutes from Bellville/ Kuilsriver/ Christian Baarnard/ Cape Town Mediclinic....but to my dismay, currently, I can't use these hospitals because they're either not covered by Bonitas, or because specialists in these hospitals are not in your approved lists.
You have a Dr van Rensburg as one of the Gastroenterologists I can use, but guess what I can't use the hospital he operates from (Louis Leopold Hospital)?
Again you have a Gastroenterologist , Dr Khalid Coovadia, as a specialist I can use, but guess what....l can't use the hospital he operates from, Panorama Mediclinic. This is painfully fascinating and downright shocking....
1. Who came up with these lists?
2. Are the interest of patients taken into consideration when creating these list?
3. What logic is used in formulating these lists, if you're going to have a Specialist in Panorama Hospital but a hospital in N1 City?
By the way, are you aware that in N1 City there isn't a single Gastroenterologist to perform procedures, yet it's one of the hospitals I'm supposed to use?
The highlight of my call to Bonitas was when the representative told me to ask Specialist to perform procedure in their surgery as they will cover the full cost, if it's done this way.
So basically, Bonitas Medical Fund's priority is not to give me a great experience in a time I'm most vulnerable with my health, but you're only concerned about saving costs.
Last time after undergoing a major surgical procedure that required recovery over 4 weeks, I was informed by a Bonitas representative that I'd be covered for 1 night hospitalisation only.... IMAGINE! How do you undergo a major surgical procedure then are required to be up and out of hospital in 1 day?
Such tendencies indicate that patients health is not a priority, rather Bonitas is more focused on saving money. This is a sad and shocking realisation.
In future, when you advertise, please make this disclaimer: tell your customers that they'll be expected to run around like headless chickens whilst they're sick & in their most vulnerable state, as they're required to scrutinize and make sense of Bonitas Medical Fund's list of hospital/ specialist. Tell your future customers that you'll frustrate them like hell, when they become your customers, as they won't be getting the service they expect from you.
I'm not holding my breath with your investigation, I'm not expecting any positive feedback because I know you know that your purpose is not to offer customers a peaceful experience, but your goal is to save costs, in any way or form.
What Bonitas is doing is really shocking/ unbelievable. It's mind-blowing and designed to frustrate customers/patients.
Your lists states the following as hospitals I can use:
N1 City Hospital
Melomed Tokai
Vincent Pallotti
Melomed Belleville
Melomed Mitchell's Plein
Melomed Gatesville
Kingsbury Hospital
Kuiksriver private hospital
Netcare Blouwberg Hospital
MediClinic Paarl
But guess what, from the above list, I can only get a hospital and a Dr in Melomed Gatesville. I've never set foot in Gatesville....ever....but now, my options are restricted to such a point that I'm forced to go to this area. I have never been or ever intended to go to Gatesville....ever!
I'm 3 minutes away from Panorama/ N1 City, and about 7-10 minutes from Bellville/ Kuilsriver/ Christian Baarnard/ Cape Town Mediclinic....but to my dismay, currently, I can't use these hospitals because they're either not covered by Bonitas, or because specialists in these hospitals are not in your approved lists.
You have a Dr van Rensburg as one of the Gastroenterologists I can use, but guess what I can't use the hospital he operates from (Louis Leopold Hospital)?
Again you have a Gastroenterologist , Dr Khalid Coovadia, as a specialist I can use, but guess what....l can't use the hospital he operates from, Panorama Mediclinic. This is painfully fascinating and downright shocking....
1. Who came up with these lists?
2. Are the interest of patients taken into consideration when creating these list?
3. What logic is used in formulating these lists, if you're going to have a Specialist in Panorama Hospital but a hospital in N1 City?
By the way, are you aware that in N1 City there isn't a single Gastroenterologist to perform procedures, yet it's one of the hospitals I'm supposed to use?
The highlight of my call to Bonitas was when the representative told me to ask Specialist to perform procedure in their surgery as they will cover the full cost, if it's done this way.
So basically, Bonitas Medical Fund's priority is not to give me a great experience in a time I'm most vulnerable with my health, but you're only concerned about saving costs.
Last time after undergoing a major surgical procedure that required recovery over 4 weeks, I was informed by a Bonitas representative that I'd be covered for 1 night hospitalisation only.... IMAGINE! How do you undergo a major surgical procedure then are required to be up and out of hospital in 1 day?
Such tendencies indicate that patients health is not a priority, rather Bonitas is more focused on saving money. This is a sad and shocking realisation.
In future, when you advertise, please make this disclaimer: tell your customers that they'll be expected to run around like headless chickens whilst they're sick & in their most vulnerable state, as they're required to scrutinize and make sense of Bonitas Medical Fund's list of hospital/ specialist. Tell your future customers that you'll frustrate them like hell, when they become your customers, as they won't be getting the service they expect from you.
I'm not holding my breath with your investigation, I'm not expecting any positive feedback because I know you know that your purpose is not to offer customers a peaceful experience, but your goal is to save costs, in any way or form.
AR
Andi R's update26 Jul 2023, 22:48
Reviewer Update
Thank you for your response.
What Bonitas is doing is really shocking/ unbelievable. It's mind-blowing and designed to frustrate customers/patients.
Your lists states the following as hospitals I can use:
N1 City Hospital
Melomed Tokai
Vincent Pallotti
Melomed Belleville
Melomed Mitchell's Plein
Melomed Gatesville
Kingsbury Hospital
Kuiksriver private hospital
Netcare Blouwberg Hospital
MediClinic Paarl
But guess what, from the above list, I can only get a hospital and a Dr in Melomed Gatesville. I've never set foot in Gatesville....ever....but now, my options are restricted to such a point that I'm forced to go to this area. I have never been or ever intended to go to Gatesville....ever!
I'm 3 minutes away from Panorama/ N1 City, and about 7-10 minutes from Bellville/ Kuilsriver/ Christian Baarnard/ Cape Town Mediclinic....but to my dismay, currently, I can't use these hospitals because they're either not covered by Bonitas, or because specialists in these hospitals are not in your approved lists.
You have a Dr van Rensburg as one of the Gastroenterologists I can use, but guess what I can't use the hospital he operates from (Louis Leopold Hospital)?
Again you have a Gastroenterologist , Dr Khalid Coovadia, as a specialist I can use, but guess what....l can't use the hospital he operates from, Panorama Mediclinic. This is painfully fascinating and downright shocking....
1. Who came up with these lists?
2. Are the interest of patients taken into consideration when creating these list?
3. What logic is used in formulating these lists, if you're going to have a Specialist in Panorama Hospital but a hospital in N1 City?
By the way, are you aware that in N1 City there isn't a single Gastroenterologist to perform procedures, yet it's one of the hospitals I'm supposed to use?
The highlight of my call to Bonitas was when the representative told me to ask Specialist to perform procedure in their surgery as they will cover the full cost, if it's done this way.
So basically, Bonitas Medical Fund's priority is not to give me a great experience in a time I'm most vulnerable with my health, but you're only concerned about saving costs.
Last time after undergoing a major surgical procedure that required recovery over 4 weeks, I was informed by a Bonitas representative that I'd be covered for 1 night hospitalisation only.... IMAGINE! How do you undergo a major surgical procedure then are required to be up and out of hospital in 1 day?
Such tendencies indicate that patients health is not a priority, rather Bonitas is more focused on saving money. This is a sad and shocking realisation.
In future, when you advertise, please make this disclaimer: tell your customers that they'll be expected to run around like headless chickens whilst they're sick & in their most vulnerable state, as they're required to scrutinize and make sense of Bonitas Medical Fund's list of hospital/ specialist. Tell your future customers that you'll frustrate them like hell, when they become your customers, as they won't be getting the service they expect from you.
I'm not holding my breath with your investigation, I'm not expecting any positive feedback because I know you know that your purpose is not to offer customers a peaceful experience, but your goal is to save costs, in any way or form.
What Bonitas is doing is really shocking/ unbelievable. It's mind-blowing and designed to frustrate customers/patients.
Your lists states the following as hospitals I can use:
N1 City Hospital
Melomed Tokai
Vincent Pallotti
Melomed Belleville
Melomed Mitchell's Plein
Melomed Gatesville
Kingsbury Hospital
Kuiksriver private hospital
Netcare Blouwberg Hospital
MediClinic Paarl
But guess what, from the above list, I can only get a hospital and a Dr in Melomed Gatesville. I've never set foot in Gatesville....ever....but now, my options are restricted to such a point that I'm forced to go to this area. I have never been or ever intended to go to Gatesville....ever!
I'm 3 minutes away from Panorama/ N1 City, and about 7-10 minutes from Bellville/ Kuilsriver/ Christian Baarnard/ Cape Town Mediclinic....but to my dismay, currently, I can't use these hospitals because they're either not covered by Bonitas, or because specialists in these hospitals are not in your approved lists.
You have a Dr van Rensburg as one of the Gastroenterologists I can use, but guess what I can't use the hospital he operates from (Louis Leopold Hospital)?
Again you have a Gastroenterologist , Dr Khalid Coovadia, as a specialist I can use, but guess what....l can't use the hospital he operates from, Panorama Mediclinic. This is painfully fascinating and downright shocking....
1. Who came up with these lists?
2. Are the interest of patients taken into consideration when creating these list?
3. What logic is used in formulating these lists, if you're going to have a Specialist in Panorama Hospital but a hospital in N1 City?
By the way, are you aware that in N1 City there isn't a single Gastroenterologist to perform procedures, yet it's one of the hospitals I'm supposed to use?
The highlight of my call to Bonitas was when the representative told me to ask Specialist to perform procedure in their surgery as they will cover the full cost, if it's done this way.
So basically, Bonitas Medical Fund's priority is not to give me a great experience in a time I'm most vulnerable with my health, but you're only concerned about saving costs.
Last time after undergoing a major surgical procedure that required recovery over 4 weeks, I was informed by a Bonitas representative that I'd be covered for 1 night hospitalisation only.... IMAGINE! How do you undergo a major surgical procedure then are required to be up and out of hospital in 1 day?
Such tendencies indicate that patients health is not a priority, rather Bonitas is more focused on saving money. This is a sad and shocking realisation.
In future, when you advertise, please make this disclaimer: tell your customers that they'll be expected to run around like headless chickens whilst they're sick & in their most vulnerable state, as they're required to scrutinize and make sense of Bonitas Medical Fund's list of hospital/ specialist. Tell your future customers that you'll frustrate them like hell, when they become your customers, as they won't be getting the service they expect from you.
I'm not holding my breath with your investigation, I'm not expecting any positive feedback because I know you know that your purpose is not to offer customers a peaceful experience, but your goal is to save costs, in any way or form.