Boniats Medical aid is nothing like Discovery Health

I am utterly appalled that in the two years we have been with Bonitas (We moved over when Bonitas bought Liberty Medical Scheme out), their lack of knowledge for Primary Immunodeficiency (PID). Lack of knowledge in treatment plans for PID. Total disregard for the countless pleas for the only medicine my child is allowed to have.

My daughter has Severe IgA Deficiency, Severe IgG Deficiency, Severe Antibody Deficiency. She requires Octagam infusions every three weeks in order to give her body a fighting chance against any viruses and bacterial infections. Without the Octagam, she has absolutely no barrier or fighting chance. We see her in and out of hospital at least once a month for more than 5 days stay at a time. She has had major lung surgery having her on a ventilator in CTICU. She has to have a lung scope and flush every 6 months due to being diagnosed with Bronchiectasis (Chronic Lung Disease). Her left valve in her heart has a leak due to the pressure it endures with her lungs not being healthy. Our Pediatric Pulmonologist Specialist trained in Immunology, as well as a professor from Clinton Hospital AND an Pediatric Oncologist, has sent applications and motivations by the dozens for the Octagam infusions as a chronic medication for my daughter. Medical literature proving that Octagam infusion is the only way of managing her condition, has been sent to our medical aid. Yet, they still deny application. Their final reasoning after many other poor reasons.. we are on the wrong plan. Why had they not brought this to our attention in the beginning?

Never mind that, Primary Immunodeficiency is recognized as a PMB, thus it should be recognized by our medical aid. Discovery Health medical aid recognizes it, and they have no problem paying for the medication for their patients.

This is absolutely disrespectful and utterly disgusting at that lack of compassion for my 6 year old daughter who spends majority of her life in hospital. By simply seeing the dire need for this medication, accepting the application and allowing her the three weekly visit to hospital (Which would only be an overnight stay, as opposed to the week long stays we have every month), they woulf firstly give this girl a chance at a normal life; but secondly they would save a whole lot of money in hopsital bills. (Which by the way, the often refuse to pay, even though it is part of our scheme benefits)

Bonitas and MedScheme are the bane of my existence and have caused me headaches from day one. I would not recommend them to anyone. I wish they could sit round a table with Discovery Health and learn how to better manage their schemes. If we had the opportunity to move over to another medical aid, I would. But now we sit with a pre-condition which most medical aids won't accept.

Our sad reality.