JA
Jillian A
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2013
17 Jun 2023, 16:50
BONITAS MEDICAL AID IS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING
I am a 69 year old woman. I have a serious problem with a trapped nerve in my lower spine. My surgeon recommends a laminectomy. I am scheduled for surgery in a week.
I received a DECLINED letter from Bonitas.
I would like to know who sits on what throne deciding the fate of their members?
I have been paying my med aid for 50 years...how can this be possible?
If I have already lost 25% of usage in my legs walking bent over and land up not able to walk....I will sit on my throne and instruct my lawyers to take the matter further.
I am not happy nor impressed. I will find out on Monday what the reasons are and if this is not sorted out immediately I WILL take it further.
They have left me sitting in an anxious state over a long weekend not knowing what is going to happen, saying to contact my doctor to find out why my surgery was declined.
From Mrs Jillian Antoville
Helpful (0)
Replies (6)0
Replies (6)JA
Jillian A's updateReviewer Update
18 Jun 2023, 16:13I would also like to find out why I'm told to contact my doctor for the reason my surgery was declined. I PAY MY MEDICAL AID ...NOT MY DOCTOR!!!
JA
Jillian A's update18 Jun 2023, 16:13
Reviewer Update
I would also like to find out why I'm told to contact my doctor for the reason my surgery was declined. I PAY MY MEDICAL AID ...NOT MY DOCTOR!!!
Bonitas Medical Fund's replyOfficial
18 Jun 2023, 20:37Hello Jillian A 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. Our Office hours are 08:00 - 17:00 Monday – Friday. Closed on weekends and public holidays
Your enquiry will be attended during office hours. Kind Regards
Bonitas Team
Your enquiry will be attended during office hours. Kind Regards
Bonitas Team
Bonitas Medical Fund's reply18 Jun 2023, 20:37
Official
Hello Jillian A 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. Our Office hours are 08:00 - 17:00 Monday – Friday. Closed on weekends and public holidays
Your enquiry will be attended during office hours. Kind Regards
Bonitas Team
Your enquiry will be attended during office hours. Kind Regards
Bonitas Team
Bonitas Medical Fund's replyOfficial
19 Jun 2023, 09:34Hello Jillian A
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 will investigate this matter. We appreciate your patience while we are resolving this query for you.
Kind Regards
Bonitas
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 will investigate this matter. We appreciate your patience while we are resolving this query for you.
Kind Regards
Bonitas
Bonitas Medical Fund's reply19 Jun 2023, 09:34
Official
Hello Jillian A
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 will investigate this matter. We appreciate your patience while we are resolving this query for you.
Kind Regards
Bonitas
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 will investigate this matter. We appreciate your patience while we are resolving this query for you.
Kind Regards
Bonitas
JA
Jillian A's updateReviewer Update
20 Jun 2023, 20:20.....and I'm still waiting for an answer. !!! Have had no written reply, no explanation ...nothing !!!! 50 YEARS AS A MEDSCHEME CLIENT !!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
JA
Jillian A's update20 Jun 2023, 20:20
Reviewer Update
.....and I'm still waiting for an answer. !!! Have had no written reply, no explanation ...nothing !!!! 50 YEARS AS A MEDSCHEME CLIENT !!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
JA
Jillian A's updateReviewer Update
20 Jun 2023, 20:33I'm sorry..I lie, I called authorizations to find out why I got a 2nd DECLINED letter. I was told it was declined because I was not covered for that kind of surgery. Really ??? This is not open heart surgery, it's a common every day operation. I will be in hospital for 2 days and recovery for approx 1 week at home. I would appreciate an answer please.
JA
Jillian A's update20 Jun 2023, 20:33
Reviewer Update
I'm sorry..I lie, I called authorizations to find out why I got a 2nd DECLINED letter. I was told it was declined because I was not covered for that kind of surgery. Really ??? This is not open heart surgery, it's a common every day operation. I will be in hospital for 2 days and recovery for approx 1 week at home. I would appreciate an answer please.
JA
Jillian A's updateReviewer Update
25 Jun 2023, 07:44Your Customer Care service is SHOCKING.
Today marks 8 days since I first wrote in and not once have I had an email nor a phone call other than the 2 messages above where it is promised that someone would contact me.
I have had to do your job. I have had to contact Bonitas asking why I received 2 DECLINED messages. I eventually got hold of someone who told me the Primary option I was on did not cover that kind of surgery.
So I contacted the surgeon who was as shocked as I was, who said they would have to investigate and make some calls. They came back to me to say that there was nothing they could do to help me.
My surgery that was booked for the 28th has now been cancelled. I have to get the Dr to write a motivation letter to Bonitas to change my plan to the Standard Select plan in the middle of the year and I would have to pay in R1700 a month more than I'm paying and then I can apply for authorisation for surgery. This could take up to 20 days.
NOW I get a call from Bonitas, not to discuss or explain why my surgery was declined. But to ask if they could send me the application forms for the new option. Of course, Bonitas is going to make more money out of me so sure a call is now warranted.
I get paid to do a job....my job...not your job. We are just numbers to Bonitas, I would like to remind you that we, your members are people. We have feelings, we worry, we get anxious, alot of us are pensioners and should be treated with respect.
We pay your salaries.....without us, your members, you wouldn't have a job. SO I THINK WE DESERVE TO BE TREATED AS HUMAN BEINGS AND NOT AS NUMBERS.
You have me by the short and curly, there is nothing I can do, I have to fork out another R1700 per month. I can't leave Bonitas, I can't join another Medical aid and I can't wait another 3 to 6 months to have my surgery as I may lose the complete use of my legs by then.
So I ask you with tears in my eyes....TREAT YOUR MEMBERS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT PLEASE 🙏
Today marks 8 days since I first wrote in and not once have I had an email nor a phone call other than the 2 messages above where it is promised that someone would contact me.
I have had to do your job. I have had to contact Bonitas asking why I received 2 DECLINED messages. I eventually got hold of someone who told me the Primary option I was on did not cover that kind of surgery.
So I contacted the surgeon who was as shocked as I was, who said they would have to investigate and make some calls. They came back to me to say that there was nothing they could do to help me.
My surgery that was booked for the 28th has now been cancelled. I have to get the Dr to write a motivation letter to Bonitas to change my plan to the Standard Select plan in the middle of the year and I would have to pay in R1700 a month more than I'm paying and then I can apply for authorisation for surgery. This could take up to 20 days.
NOW I get a call from Bonitas, not to discuss or explain why my surgery was declined. But to ask if they could send me the application forms for the new option. Of course, Bonitas is going to make more money out of me so sure a call is now warranted.
I get paid to do a job....my job...not your job. We are just numbers to Bonitas, I would like to remind you that we, your members are people. We have feelings, we worry, we get anxious, alot of us are pensioners and should be treated with respect.
We pay your salaries.....without us, your members, you wouldn't have a job. SO I THINK WE DESERVE TO BE TREATED AS HUMAN BEINGS AND NOT AS NUMBERS.
You have me by the short and curly, there is nothing I can do, I have to fork out another R1700 per month. I can't leave Bonitas, I can't join another Medical aid and I can't wait another 3 to 6 months to have my surgery as I may lose the complete use of my legs by then.
So I ask you with tears in my eyes....TREAT YOUR MEMBERS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT PLEASE 🙏
JA
Jillian A's update25 Jun 2023, 07:44
Reviewer Update
Your Customer Care service is SHOCKING.
Today marks 8 days since I first wrote in and not once have I had an email nor a phone call other than the 2 messages above where it is promised that someone would contact me.
I have had to do your job. I have had to contact Bonitas asking why I received 2 DECLINED messages. I eventually got hold of someone who told me the Primary option I was on did not cover that kind of surgery.
So I contacted the surgeon who was as shocked as I was, who said they would have to investigate and make some calls. They came back to me to say that there was nothing they could do to help me.
My surgery that was booked for the 28th has now been cancelled. I have to get the Dr to write a motivation letter to Bonitas to change my plan to the Standard Select plan in the middle of the year and I would have to pay in R1700 a month more than I'm paying and then I can apply for authorisation for surgery. This could take up to 20 days.
NOW I get a call from Bonitas, not to discuss or explain why my surgery was declined. But to ask if they could send me the application forms for the new option. Of course, Bonitas is going to make more money out of me so sure a call is now warranted.
I get paid to do a job....my job...not your job. We are just numbers to Bonitas, I would like to remind you that we, your members are people. We have feelings, we worry, we get anxious, alot of us are pensioners and should be treated with respect.
We pay your salaries.....without us, your members, you wouldn't have a job. SO I THINK WE DESERVE TO BE TREATED AS HUMAN BEINGS AND NOT AS NUMBERS.
You have me by the short and curly, there is nothing I can do, I have to fork out another R1700 per month. I can't leave Bonitas, I can't join another Medical aid and I can't wait another 3 to 6 months to have my surgery as I may lose the complete use of my legs by then.
So I ask you with tears in my eyes....TREAT YOUR MEMBERS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT PLEASE 🙏
Today marks 8 days since I first wrote in and not once have I had an email nor a phone call other than the 2 messages above where it is promised that someone would contact me.
I have had to do your job. I have had to contact Bonitas asking why I received 2 DECLINED messages. I eventually got hold of someone who told me the Primary option I was on did not cover that kind of surgery.
So I contacted the surgeon who was as shocked as I was, who said they would have to investigate and make some calls. They came back to me to say that there was nothing they could do to help me.
My surgery that was booked for the 28th has now been cancelled. I have to get the Dr to write a motivation letter to Bonitas to change my plan to the Standard Select plan in the middle of the year and I would have to pay in R1700 a month more than I'm paying and then I can apply for authorisation for surgery. This could take up to 20 days.
NOW I get a call from Bonitas, not to discuss or explain why my surgery was declined. But to ask if they could send me the application forms for the new option. Of course, Bonitas is going to make more money out of me so sure a call is now warranted.
I get paid to do a job....my job...not your job. We are just numbers to Bonitas, I would like to remind you that we, your members are people. We have feelings, we worry, we get anxious, alot of us are pensioners and should be treated with respect.
We pay your salaries.....without us, your members, you wouldn't have a job. SO I THINK WE DESERVE TO BE TREATED AS HUMAN BEINGS AND NOT AS NUMBERS.
You have me by the short and curly, there is nothing I can do, I have to fork out another R1700 per month. I can't leave Bonitas, I can't join another Medical aid and I can't wait another 3 to 6 months to have my surgery as I may lose the complete use of my legs by then.
So I ask you with tears in my eyes....TREAT YOUR MEMBERS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT PLEASE 🙏