Money Hungry Bonitas!

On the 6th July 2021 I received an sms from Bonitas stating: "Dear member, Please note, your membership has been suspended effective 01-Jul-2021 due to debit order rejection as unpaid. Kindly make payment for the amount of R$amountdue$ to Bonitas Medical Fund, Nedbank, Account number ***Ref: - - - - - - for suspension to be lifted." I followed the instructions and as you can see, there was no specific amount allocated on the sms.... So I made a payment from my credit card account on my mobile banking app to the amount of R5400 on the same day. Yesterday, 14 July 2021 I took my 2 year old (dependant) to the pediatrician with a terrible cough and sore chest. I then proceeded to the pharmacy with a script where I stood at the medication counter for over 2 hours while on the phone with Bonitas after the pharmacist confirmed that my medical aid had been suspended. With my baby being sick and I was being humiliated by the call centre agent who's response was that I should pay the balance of R3 and send the proof of payment on email while making a point of stating multiple times "If you are able to pay that R3" how insulting! I was then informed that the payment of R5400 from my credit account had not yet been allocated and I was expected to forward proof of payment to some email address. 8 days later and now it's my fault the accounts department can not allocate payments received! Do we as members need to pay your salaries and still tell you how to do your jobs?

I then asked when the suspension would be lifted and she said in 5 to 7 working days and suggested I come back for the medication... What???? You would think with all your Covid emails being sent, your staff would be aware of how critical any associated symptoms would be. This child is 2 years old, she needed her medication so that I, as her mother could do what I could to ensure she doesn't have or get the virus. What do I pay medical aid for??? I had to pay cash for medication despite contributing to a medical aid.... I then made the payment of R3 and emailed the proof of payment which cost me more on data by the way! Which I'm sorry you couldn't allocate to my following months contribution. I also emailed the proof of payment from a screenshot I took on my credit card account for the R5400 as FNB credit card payments don't allow you to go back and get a proof of payment. I then get an email back on the 15th July 2021 to again request a proof of payment for that amount.

After being a main member since 2015 with now 4 dependants, meaning my membership for the bonsave option on my medical aid plan amounts to R5403 PM "to be exact! “ meaning I contribute R64 836 PA it's no wonder why Bonitas staff seem comfortable during this pandemic whilst other businesses are struggling to stay afloat. I'm only 1 main member of which I'm sure there are millions contributing this amount. Do all of your members get an sms for a payment to be made on the 6th of the month? How many of those pay R5400? How hard can it possibly be to allocate a payment? And if your sms says make payment for suspension to be lifted, you should inform your customers that the lifting will take an entire week! You've been taking my money for 6 years without an issue!!!