Utterly disgusted with the service.

<p>To whom it may concern,</p> <p>My name is Nicole Pillay. I am 26 years of age. I have been on my mother’s medical aid (Discovery) for many years. After completing university, I worked for Molecular Diagnostic Services where I took my own medical aid in October of 2014 to January of 2016 (membership number ********** 10).</p> <p>In February of 2016, I went back to university and studied full time therefore going off my medical aid for the entire year to complete my honours degree. After completing I returned to Molecular Diagnostic Services and rejoined Discovery medical aid in January of 2017 (membership number ********** 90).</p> <p>During my studies, it was a difficult transition from full time work to full time studies, I would feel stress/ chest discomfort towards exam time however did not find anything out of the ordinary occur as this just felt “normal” to experience stress during exam time. There was no need to take medication or see a doctor as this settled after my exams.</p> <p>On the 9th of March 2017, I saw Dr Y.E. Motala for discomfort in my chest which was occurring weekly at the time. I thought I could see a doctor as to why I am experiencing this pain/discomfort. He prescribed medication and it settled.</p> <p>The 19th of April 2017, I had severe pains in my chest and back, and was taken to trauma unit in Ethekweni Hospital. I was given IV medication, bloods were taken, ECG was done and discharge on medication. The doctor suggested a g-scope needed to be done at some point. My medical aid savings were depleted after visiting trauma.</p> <p>On the 1st of July 2017, at around 20h30, I was admitted to medical ward in Ethekweni Hospital for unbearable chest pain and vomiting. I had IV medications, bloods taken, an ultrasound and g-scope done. I was treated by a specialist physician, Dr Ryan Ramdass (for the first time). The scope and ultrasound did not reveal any abnormalities and my symptoms were treated. I am currently on medication on a month and will have review consult with Dr Ryan Ramdass on the 3rd of August 2017.</p> <p>I was contacted by the hospital that the medical had no authorized my stay at hospital; I have made numerous attempts with my medical aid and was reassured it was procedure, and that authorization will be granted and bills will be paid. On the 14th of July, I contacted my medical aid once again and my GP needed to fill in a PMA form. I did that on Saturday costing me R180. Subsequent to this, I have delivered the appropriate documents as requested. (Please note: The GP did record I have had symptoms for 1 year, it did not mean every day. I had it 3 times in the year, specifically in May, June and November of 2016. He recorded that I had seen the physician previously however he meant I had only seen Dr Ryan Ramdass on the 1st of July 2017 for the very first time. You can check my medical records for this.)</p> <p>On the 17th of July 2017, the medical aid contacted me and discussion entailed that they would not be covering my medical expenses for my stay at hospital and would be withdrawing my membership. This was due to me not disclosing my medical condition/symptoms not diagnosed by a healthcare professional within the last 12 months, in my medical aid application.</p> <p>At no given time was I aware or my mother, who is the Deputy nursing manager of Ethekweni Hospital, to disclose a chest discomfort that was not diagnosed by any doctor nor treated until March 2017 to be reported on a medical aid application form which was done in January of 2017. March 2017 was my first visit to the GP; I followed the correct protocol by seeing a GP, then going to trauma and finally seeing a specialist.</p> <p>I grant permission for your company to go through all my past medical reports.</p> <p>It is disappointing that I have never abused my medical aid or been hospitalized in the past. Now that I actually needed to be investigated for this pain, I have no support from the medical aid which I have been diligently paying for.</p> <p>When people speak about poor service from medical aid, I never thought I would be going through the same experience.</p> <p>I would like my medical aid to be reinstated and a response from management as to why this decision was made so harshly.</p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>Nicole Pillay (17.07.17)</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>