MB
Malcolm B

1 reviews | Active since Jul 2019

16 Apr 2020, 14:17

Any COVID 19 Premium relief?

COVID 19 Pandemic - I just had communication with our broker to inquire if Discovery Health is making any positive moves in premium relief for those loyal clients who have been fastidiously paying their premiums over a long period, and in many instances have not claimed a single rand from the fund? More especially the inquiry was around those clients who are not part of a large corporate structure but are self-employed and pay their personal medical aid contributions. The answer is NO. NADA, NOTHING!!! How are all of those who have little or no income for the foreseeable future meant to service these?

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Replies (3)
Discovery Health
Discovery Health's reply16 Apr 2020, 14:59
Official
Dear Malcolm B

Your concerns are important to us and we will be in touch soon with an answer to your comments.

Regards Discovery Health Servicing Team
Discovery Health
Discovery Health's reply16 Apr 2020, 17:12
Official
Dear Malcolm B 

Please check your email for feedback from us. Regards
Discovery Health Servicing Team

MB
Malcolm B's update17 Apr 2020, 09:23
Reviewer Update
Herewith my response to the emil received from Discovery:
Dear Mr Boyd Thank you for contacting us.Premium relief We have received your query on www.hellopeter.com and tried calling you on your cellphone *** *** 7940. You were unavailable.We acknowledge the difficult circumstances many will find themselves in as a result of the global outbreak and deeply sympathise with our members affected. [MRB] Noted.That being said, it is important to remember that medical aids are non-profit organisations and the premiums are used to pay claims. Money is paid into a pool and paid out as needed. The outbreak of COVID-19 has created unprecedented strain on businesses, people, governments and healthcare services the world over. It is imperative, now more than ever, that we not lose sight of how this might affect not just one but all of our members. [MRB] I understand the NPO sector well and would like to think that you have built up sufficient reserves to deal with such unprecedneted circumstances. You are part of the Discovery Group which in of itself will have a healthy balance sheet against which you could draw. This would go a long way to boost your image in the market place. As Discovery has done on other products such as the group offerring a percentage reduction on premiums for the next few months would be greatly apreciated.Discovery has taken a number of immediate steps to support its clients during this difficult time and we are monitoring the situation closely to see how we can continue to help those most affected. At present, Discovery Health Medical Scheme will continue to collect premiums as normal to ensure all claims are processed and funded accordingly. [MRB] As per my comments above. Please note individual member`s with a positive accrued Medical Savings Account (MSA) balance can use the accrued amounts to pay for their full premiums. Members who have accrued balances would have collected these funds as part of their contributions over the years. This means that reallocating those funds for contributions would not place a burden on the Scheme and the rest of the member base. This arrangement cannot exceed three months. [MRB] Excatly. This does not help those with no MSA and on the bottom plans……Members who are not on MSA-type plans (Smart, Core and KeyCare) will not have access to the benefit. You are on the Coastal Core Plan. [MRB] As per above.If you have any more questions, please visit www.discovery.co.za to Get Help or download the Discovery app to view your benefits and manage your health plan.We will add your recent interactions to your interaction timeline within 24 hours. Here you are able