HORRIFIC SERVICE FROM DISCOVERY AND STEVE BHIKO

It is with utmost disgrace that I send and address this.

I became a member of Discovery Medical Aid on 01/07/2021, penalty fines were paid due to the fact that I have not been on a medical scheme for quite a while.

Premiums is paid up to date and not once was a payment missed.

On 31/03/2022, I was rushed by ambulance to Arwyp Medical Centre in Kempton Park, I was unconscious and have no recollection of what was happening with and around me.

Seeing that I work in Kempton Park, Arwyp was the nearest in my radius to be taken to in order to be stabilized.

I was taken to the emergency unit around 10:00am where the sisters tried to stabilize me and I was put on a drip.

I was then sent for a MRI, still not knowing what is happening with me or where I was, I was hallucinating and needed emergency assistance.

Arwyp contacted Discovery only to be told it will take them 4 days to investigate before they can give authorizing for me to be submitted to a hospital on my plan.

I do know for a fact that Arwyp is not on my Discovery plan, but as mentioned previously, Arwyp was the closest, and I did need emergency assistance.

Round about 17:00am, still very confused and most definitely not myself, the sister then explained to me that Discovery can’t authorize for me to be submitted to a hospital for urgent medical assistance on my Discovery medical plan and I needed emergency medical attention, they suggest I be taken to a government hospital as I don’t have 4 days to wait on Discovery to do their investigation as my condition was very serious. I had to sign an indemnity/consent form to be released in order not to hold Arwyp responsible should something happens to me and I was pushed to my sons car in a wheelchair as I couldn’t walk or even stand up on my own.

My son then rushed me to Steve Bhiko in Pretoria, where we had to wait for hours for assistance and under the most disgusting circumstances. Other sick patients was treated so badly, one man in particular which was in a wheelchair was being slabbed by a sister, pushed around and was told to stopped crying, my personal opinion, I don’t think he made it, after waiting for hours they rolled him into a room where myself and my son saw how he was treated and slabbed by the personnel.

Nonetheless, there is a print screen on the wall stating waiting period for assistance is 160 minutes…..

After hours I was seen by a doctor at Steve Bhiko, my son had to help me to stand up, walk and eventually to lay down on the bed in order for her to do a check up, no assistance from the doctor though. Needless to say I was given a prescription and told to phone a neurologist the following day to make an appointment for the following weekend. My son called the number the next day only to be told a neurologist can only see me on the 20th June 2022, this is ridiculous.

We started calling around and got a neurologist in Pretoria that can see me on the 3rd of May 2022, however I was told that my Discovery scheme also doesn’t cover this.

From Discovery I don’t request, I don’t ask, I demand answers!!!!! Why is my son paying a premium for a hospital plan for myself if this is what I must go through in an emergency situation or any situation should anything, God forbid happens to me again? My son tried to call Discovery even on their emergency line to no avail and received no joy.... why must he pay for my medical then? If I was in the hands off Discovery I was dead for sure - 4 days for an investigation, please this is pathetic.

I received no joy from Discovery, only sms’e that states authorization has been declined, yet Discovery collects a premium every month, FOR WHAT????

Discovery, did your company ever heard of TCF (TREAT YOUR CUSTOMER FAIRLY), or does this not apply in the medical terms?

Thank God for prayers and friends and family praying for my wellbeing, because on Discoveries watch I would have most likely died.

My GP prescribed me with chronic medication, however when I gave my prescription to my pharmacist, I was told according to my scheme this GP is not authorized to prescribe chronic medication.

So, I have a hospital plan with Discovery, that collects a premium every month, ON TIME, but when an emergency a rise, Discovery can’t deliver nor live up to their brand and name.

This is to say the least, PATHETIC, and I will make use of any, and all social platforms to share my horrific experience with Discovery.

I don’t want apology emails or any sympathy, I WANT THIS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS A MATTER OF URGENCY, AND I WANT ANSWERS.

I will most definitely not leave this pathetic service here and should you wish that I quote you with law requirements, I will most definitely do so. I have also approached Derrek Watts from Carte Blanche regarding this matter.