The medical aid with the big pretty shiny building and complete lack of integrity.

I’ve app**** for PMB’s for my profoundly brain injured daughter. She is immobile, non verbal, deaf, have cortical visual impairment, severe scoliosis, kyphosis and dislocated hips, to name but a few of her challenges. Even if you have no formal medical training yourself, it only takes one look and you will understand that we need to utilise many medical specialist. We do everything in our power to make her life as comfortable as possible so that she can make an impact on the world and fulfil her purpose. We go to a physiothe****** and a chiropractor once a week apart for the therapy that I give to her at home, but by May our medical aid savings part is depleted even though we are on the second most expensive plan.

This is the 3rd year in a row that I've app**** for PMB’s.The first two year’s applications were accompanied by 30 documents from various doctors and specialist describing my daughters numerous challenges, including scans and MRI’s accumulated over the past 13 years. The first year Discovery did not even reply to my application. The second year, after many hours on the phone, I at least got their decision, which was of course a “we regret to inform you... .” They stated that I may appeal but unfortunately Discovery needs our paediatrician to fill the appeal form which, since our medical aid savings has been depleted, will cost another R1000. This year I received an automated email stating that they will reply within 3 to 4 working days. That was 3 weeks ago. In the meantime I've send more emails to enquire, sometimes met with an automated replying email starting with “dear Mr Invalid” (oh, don’t I know it). I’ve also made many phone calls. Occasionally they promise to find out and call back, which of course they never do. I do keep the names and dates for fun. I also fill their “rate our service” mail with a 1 star and very sad emoji’s and give an explanation but nothing comes from any of that either.

I bet Discovery will reply to this HelloPeter post, with the usual "We’ve noted your concerns and we’re investigating the matter” and also a "We’ll contact you with feedback as soon as possible”. A day later they will state "We have been in touch with you to answer your comments” but surely nothing will come from it, as all that really matters to Discovery is their big shiny building in Sandton.