PENSIONERS OUT OF POCKET

Bonitas require proof of income to be submitted annually in order to determine the premiums of the medical aid option my mother (a State pensioner) is on. During Nov'14, following the postal strike & not receiving the usual notification/reminder to submit proof of income, my mother managed to get transport from a friend to visit the bank (for the bank statements) and to get her to an internet cafe in order to submit proof of income, as she knows this is an annual exercise. At the age of 74, this requires some effort, especially when you don't own a car/unable to drive yourself. On 01 March'15, the new premium was debited at the max of R 1675 vs the R 675 it should have been. Upon enquiry we are told that they notified her of \unsufficient documentation"on the email address from which her proof of income was sent... ie the INTERNET CAFE ?! NEVER was this email provided as a means of communication with the member. After much back and forth and resubmitting docs"