Discovery Health takes 3 weeks to approve CHRONIC MEDICATION

I have had medical aid for the past 9 years. I have just been diagnosed with a chronic disease. This is the first time ever that i actually used my medical aid to see specialists etc. This is now the 3rd week that I am still waiting for medication approval from discovery. I have to call them daily to check the progress and if I do not call there is no update from their side regarding the progress. Everyday the turn around time changes, first 3 working days then 5 working days now its sent to another panel to make the decision and another 2 working days. Bear in mind the application was sent 3 weeks ago!

For a person who is not sickly and never used the medical aid for 9 years who really needs assistance and the funding now seeing that I have a chronic disease I feel helpless and as if Discovery does not care. This is really unfortunate as they debit my account each month without fail and I have to still take out money from my own pocket to purchase the medication while I wait for them to decide if I need the meds or not. My life is at risk here! Why would doctors prescribe meds if its not for my own benefit? Should i wait until its too late?

At this point i feel like cancelling the medical aid and using the same funds to treat myself and get more piece of mind because chasing and calling them each day to follow up is just not on. All consultants I spoke to was very helpful and informative however i am not happy with the amount of time that it takes for the "panel" to make a decision.

Very disappointing and frustrating. I surely do not need this added stress seeing that I am already going through something life changing.