Misinformation and rude agents

I was admitted to hospital in January as an emergency. The hospital checked me in and I made it very clear if I am not covered they should not touch me at all. I was then cleared and received surgery two days later. After my stay I received a bill and I was advised that I need to pay R18 000 out if my own pocket.

I questioned this as I went to the hospital I was told to go to and I even made the hospital confirm that I am covered.

In response to my email questioning the R18 000, Discovery sent me an email stating I do now owe anything and the shortfall will be written off.

One month later I get contacted by a lawyer stating I need to pay the R18 000.

After going back and forth with discovery - one of their agents (Leigh) being rude, simply ignoring my questions and then ending the chat on me - I was then advised I actually do need to pay the R18 000.

I think it is absolutely unacceptable that Discovery now wants to tell me the R18 000 is my responsibility when I was previously advised by them it is not.

They want to play it down as a misunderstanding. Stating they meant the hospital and not the doctor but I very clearly referred to the exact amount they wanted me to pay.

If my company didn’t force us to be with Discovery I definitely wouldn’t make use of them. You pay them thousands every month on time but when they need to pay your bills they have an excuse for everything.

If I saved all the money I sent them over the past 7 years I would have been able to pay my bills in full and still have money left over.

This has been an utterly disappointing experience.