DISCOVERY MEDICAL AID ADMIN DEFIES THE CONSTITUTION

I am extremely disappointed in Discovery Health Medical’s administration and lack of accountability. I moved companies and due to admin/HR system glitches, my Discovery medical aid could not be carried over to the new company, so I had to start on a new Discovery membership number.

There was a premium outstanding on the old membership number, which was paid in full . This was not a debt I caused, and I was unaware at the time that Discovery would handle it in this manner.

Despite the account being paid, Discovery handed it over to a collection agency.

What makes this even more unacceptable is that my Discovery broker was involved at the time, and has been trying to resolve this matter for almost 3 years. My DISCOVERY TEAM have bent over backwards to assist me, yet their support from Head office is nothing but PATHETIC.

During this time, I have been harassed by collection agent, and now ITC is involved, claiming Discovery “never informed them it was paid” and that there is now interest and additional charges.

Today, Discovery Head Office informed my broker that:

This is not my broker’s problem, and It is my responsibility to resolve this directly with the collection agencies, and They even stated that my broker is not my broker, despite the broker being the one assisting me during the period this was handed over.

This is completely unacceptable.

Discovery:

You loaded this You initiated this You handed it over And now you expect the customer to fix your administrative failure while being harassed for years?

Constitutional rights – Just Administrative Action (Section 33)

In terms of Section 33 of the South African Constitution, I have the right to lawful, reasonable and procedural fair administrative action.

Discovery’s failure to correct their records, and their decision to send a paid account to collections (and allow it to remain there for years), is unreasonable and unfair administrative action.

I therefore insist that Discovery correct and reverse their administrative error, ensure the matter is closed, and provide written confirmation that there is no negative listing or trace with ITC, TransUnion, or any collection agency. *What I want from Discovery (urgently):

1. Immediate written confirmation*that the account is paid and settled 2. A formal letter from Discovery to the collection agency and ITCconfirming the account was paid and must be closed immediately 3. All interest/fees reversed, as this was caused by Discovery’s administrative failure 4. Written confirmation that there is NO trace / NO negative listing / NO record at ITC, TransUnion, or any collection agency 5. Confirmation that this has been erased completely — not “it was listed and taken care of”,as a prior mail said this, and i am still being harassed by collection agencies. Perhaps Discover has lost track of who all they gave info to 6. Written proof from ALL the collection agents and ITC that the matter is closed and no further action will be taken

I want this fixed immediately. I have had enough of being harassed for a “debt” that I did not cause, that I paid timeously, and that should never have been escalated to collections in the first place.