READ IT AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF

Read the exchange of emails and read for yourself: My query: I write on behalf of the member under power of attorney, a copy of which is attached hereto. I attend to his general administration and I'm also the person paying the premiums on his health insurance policy. The member is working and travelling overseas and will be insured under expatriate health insurance with effect from tomorrow, 24 October 2020. I'm therefore enquiring whether it would be possible for his health insurance policy with Discovery to be suspended temporarily, with no premiums payable, until and if he decides to return to South Africa. Discovery's answer: Power of attorney We have received your power of attorney document however, we cannot accept this, as the document needs to be stamped. Withdrawal of membership All financial changes needs to be instructed by the principal member. We understand that you are the bill payer however, we are unable to action any instructions on your behalf. Mr [the member, name withheld] can send us an email requesting a withdrawal. His email must include the reason and an end date (eg: 30/11/2020). My (admittedly irate) response: Will you please not treat me like an imbecile. What does it mean for a power of attorney "to be stamped"? "Stamped" with what? A postage stamp? Furthermore, did you actually bother to read what I asked you? If you do/did, do you think you have answered my questions? If the principal member was in a position to do what you ask, then the power of attorney would not be needed, will it? A power of attorney is a valid and binding document - what gives you the right to say that it is not acceptable? It is this kind of treatment, answers by rote without any independent thought, that makes intelligent people furious with having to deal with faceless online consultants. And it is from a noreply mailbox, so one is not even afforded the courtesy to be able to actually converse with someone and trying to make oneself - against all odds, I might say - understood.