Co-payments - Rip-Off

A month ago I was rushed to ER with severe abdominal pains. The dr on duty was very helpful. An X-ray and scan was done, as well as blood-tests.

After receiving the blood-test results, I was admitted inti hospital - Reason: 1. Severe Anemia 2.Low-blood count

The Dr suggested that a gastroscopy as well as colonoscopy had to be done to determine where I was losing blood.

Half an 3/4 of an hour before the procedure, I received a call from the accounts department, informing me that I have to pay in R4500 co-payment because the medical aid does not cover it. I could not understand that because previously I did not have to pay in anything with when I had my gal-bladder op 2 years ago.

My husband consulted with the Dr, on which the procedure was then done without the co-payment.

After the procedure, the Dr informed me that the results of biopsy was clear, that there is inflammation in my stomach, that obviously contributed towards the severe abdominal pains.

He also advised that the loss of blood could be due to endometriosis that result in heavy bleeding every month and referred me to a gynaecologist to examine.

The gynaecologist examined me a week ago and it was discovered that there are fibroids in my uterus, endometriosis exist, which is large and also a cyst.

Because of the severe pain that I experience throughout the month, a decision was made to do 3 different procedures which include removal of uterus, endometriosis and cyst.

This time around I have to pay R7550!!

I am highly irritated by this, because already our medical aid benefit is costing us almost R6000 on the classis priority plan.

I had laparoscopically procedure done before and no co-payment was done, Lately it seems that with every procedure there is a co-payment, yet discovery advertises that 200% is covered in hospital on this plan.

Every person that is on medical aid, is not a multimillionaire that can just religious make a co-payments of thousands on rands. The reason why we chose this medical aid is because we wanted peace of mind.

I am busy looking at alternative medical aid, because Discovery is a BIG rip-off!!!