SO many benefits... BUT... Ts and Cs apply.

My medical aid policy gives me access to extended benefits on the condition that a wellness test is conducted.

18 December 2020 - wellness screening was conducted 11 February 2021 - claim for extended benefits submitted and rejected. Reason: the claim fell in a new calendar year and so the wellness screening done (less than 2 months earlier!) was deemed invalid.

A few issues on this: 1. I never received any form of confirmation from Bonitas of my access to benefits once the screening was done, nor a reminder of the fact that they would be deemed invalid in less 2 weeks - a condition I’m sure was very clearly stated in a sea of size 4 font. But I guess you can't make money off people who don't know your underhanded ways of avoiding claims through carefully condition-wrapped benefits and a lack of transparency.

2. It would make a lot more sense to have the test validity last 12 months from the date of the test? In an extreme case, a wellness screening is done on 31 December and has to be done again only a day later otherwise you can't get access to the benefits? How does this logic give anyone an indication of wellness? How wasteful.

3. Surely this kind of "calendar year" condition means wellness screening centres are flooded at the beginning of the year with everyone rushing to get theirs done in the event they have need for an extended benefit? Not practical or wise with a pandemic running rampant…

It is clear that the wellness screening has nothing to do with member wellness, but more to do with a financially beneficial agreement with the screening service providers. Because, of course, it is far more lucrative in the short term to do it this way than the long term savings that come from actually caring for the member's wellness and pre-empting any possible risks before they manifest into bigger claims.

It’s a small claim, but one that’s left a sour taste. I am unlikely to recommend or use Bonitas again in the future.