Discovery De*****ed Me

I was with Momentum Medical Aid since 2019. I decided to change my medical aid as i was not happy about co-payments on the medical aid. I called Discovery to get a quote as my husband and kids use Discovery and were happy. I spoke to a consultant who assured me that the option she has suggested for me will: 1. have no co-payments 2. i will have immediate cover begging on the 1st of August when the cover commenced. I asked if there was a waiting period, to which she assured me that there would be no waiting period aside from planned procedures. She clearly explained that should i need to consult or get medication i would be able to do so.

I was then asked underwriting questions, and one of them was do i have a chronic condition, to which i answered yes and i was also asked the type of medication i was taking for my chronic condition which i divulged. I was made to fill in a chronic benefit form and have my Dr sign it. To which he did and also attached my prescription.

I went to the Pharmacy on the 11th of August to get a refill to my prescription and also get vitamins. I was told by the pharmacist that i was on the waiting list and i would have to pay for my medication. Furthermore the Pharmacist told me that i would have to pay a levy of R94 for my medication. I then called Discovery Medical Aid on the 12th of August to ask about: 1. The waiting period and why i was misinformed. To which they told me it was a general rule to have a 3month waiting period. I told them i wouldn't have left Momentum Medical if i knew i wouldn't be covered for three months, especially with me having a chronic condition and with the COVID pandemic. 2. I then enquired about the levy on my medication, which i felt was too high and i was told my medication is not on the list of medicines covered by Discovery. My problem now is when the underwriting was done why was not informed then that my medicine is not covered..before i join the medical aid and left Momentum that paid for my medication without any levies?

I was told by the consultant that i can withdraw my membership from Discovery if im unhappy...when i asked if i would get my money back i was told they would have to transfer me to another Department to see how much i would get back.

The inconvenience and the pain this has caused me is so great. Information was withheld from me which made me make uninformed decision, at the cost of my health.