Discovery Cancelled a 71-Year-Old Cancer Patient’s Cover After 20 Years of Loyalty

This complaint is directed at **Discovery Medical Aid’s escalation and complaints resolution team**, because normal customer service has failed us completely.

My father has been a loyal Discovery member for **over 20 years**. For two decades he paid his premiums in good faith, trusting that Discovery would stand by him when he was old and seriously ill.

In 2025, while already diagnosed with **cancer**, my father continued paying his medical aid premiums specifically so he could receive treatment when he needed it most. Instead, Discovery **cancelled his medical aid** and refunded his premiums in **October 2025**, effectively stripping a critically ill 71-year-old of cover without regard for his medical condition.

He is now **71 years old**, suffering from **cancer and a liver obstruction**, and has **no medical aid** because Discovery cancelled it. His condition is worsening daily, and we cannot afford private treatment.

We contacted Discovery customer care last year and were told our case would be **urgently assessed**. Instead, we have been passed between departments, repeatedly asked for the same information, and then met with **total silence**. No case manager has taken responsibility. No decision has been communicated.

Despite this, we were instructed to **continue paying premiums**, which we did — only to be told he is now on a **one-year waiting period**, meaning the money we are paying **cannot be used to treat him at all**. If Discovery cannot provide cover, then on what basis are they taking our money? Why have these premiums not been refunded?

This situation is medically urgent and ethically unacceptable. A **71-year-old cancer patient** who paid into Discovery for **over 20 years** has been left without care while his health deteriorates.

We are formally demanding:

* Immediate escalation of this case to a senior decision-maker * Immediate reinstatement of my father’s medical aid without a waiting period * Written confirmation of Discovery’s position * A full explanation for the cancellation and the continued collection of unusable premiums

Discovery needs to act now. This is not just a service failure — this is a humanitarian one.