Chronic Condition Declined

<p>The purpose medical aids are available is for any unforeseen health circumstances that might occur and we unable to pay for the high medical costs accompannied by this.</p> <p> </p> <p>Both me and my wife have a chronic condition, but when when our doctor app**** for the chronic benefits we were declined, I suppose because it is not life threatening. We suffer from Major Depression Disorder, but yet it is not covererd by the scheme we are on. </p> <p>My wife is unemployed and I am the sole bread winner with a Nett income of R8K per month but a Gross of R13K. So the bracket we fall in cost us R4K a month under Key Care Plus.</p> <p> </p> <p>We spent over R1,8K a month on chronic medication for our condition. Having said that, my wife has asthma and an inactive Thyroid, so the monthly costs for medication for both of us at times would be more than R2K. Apart from the medication per month, there are other needs as well that has to be paid as well. So what do I work for, "Just stay alive to buy medication?"</p> <p> </p> <p>I recently was admitted into a Psychiatric Hospital because of my condition and my wife was admitted two months ago, Thank God that that was covered, but once discharged with a monthly script of IMPORTANT MEDICATION to prevent a relapse, how do we manage to cover the costs of medication.</p> <p> </p> <p>The medication that is prescribe is not like a headache tablet that you take that will remove the headache, not at all. There is a trial period of different medication you have to go through and use to see if it works with you. So going to your Psychiatrist and constantly communicating with him would take almost a year to bring your brain chemical imbalance to a point where both you and your Psychiatrist, more importantly you are happy with as your life and mood have improved. So for up to a year of changing medication that would effectively and safely agree with you and bring the chemical imbalance to a point of control.</p> <p> </p> <p>I was recently made permanent that only allowed me to take the cheapest bracket available for both me and my wife, but also had to look at which of the cheap options would be considered to be able to still make a living with the salary I receive.</p> <p> </p> <p>Now after explaining and looking at the precentage of Depression or Mental Illnesses in South Africa it is quite alarming that so many people suffer from it. To top it all, the month of October is Mental Health Awareness in South Africa to make people not affected by this condition to educate them of the seriousness of the condition.</p> <p>A short quote from the Government Website (http://www.gov.za/speeches/mental-health-awareness-month)... "The month of October has been declared Mental Health Awareness Month with the objective of not only educating the public about mental health but also to reduce the stigma and ************** that people with mental illness are often subjected to.<br /> <br />Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse and job stress are common, affecting individuals, their families and co-workers, and the broader community. In addition, they have a direct impact on workplaces through increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, and increased costs. Very few South Africans seek treatment for their mental disorders. Mental illness can be treated at your nearest clinic, hospital or healthcare provider.<br />Mental health problems are the result of a complex interplay between biological, psychological, social and environmental factors. There is increasing evidence that both the content and context of work can play a role in the development of mental health problems in the workplace."</p> <p> </p> <p>Now that we have an Awareness month of a condition that COULD and most probably WOULD be life threatening if not treated and monitored. Yet, Discovery Medical Aid DOES NOT COVER MY MENTAL ILLNESS. </p> <p>So HOW are both me and my wife suppose to maintain our condition not being able to afford the medication per month, having had three suicide attempts, loosing our child a few months ago, increasing debt, our house and car being repossessed. HOW are we supposed to take care of ourselves, when the MINIMUM that Discovery Medical Aid can do is to assist us with our chronic medication? </p> <p> </p> <p>Whilst typing this, you can appreciate the fact that I am not happy and just being discharged a few days ao from a Psyciatric Hospital and not having any sick days left at work and not being able to purchase the prescribed medication, where does it leave me and my wife? Yet Discovery Health's premium will be paid on time at the end of the month.</p> <p> </p> <p>Am I staring death in the face because of my condition? Why cant there be an exception made as a registered Psychiatric Doctor motivated our condition with the prescribed medication that agrees with current condition.</p> <p> </p> <p>I would like to receive feedback or a call or something, because both me and my wife are DEPENDANT on the medication and NO GENERIC medication are agreeing with our condition.</p> <p> </p> <p>Discovery Health Please help me....</p> <p> </p>