Do not join FEDHEALTH!!!

I have been a member along with my 3 dependant kids since 2016 after moving from Gems medical aid. In 2021 I removed my 3 dependants kids and ex-husband as beneficiaries as our divorce order stated he must put the children on his own medical aid. Their new medical aid was with Bonitas. My ex husband died on 20th February due to a terminal illness and I put my 3 minor children back onto my medical aid as of 1st March, as the kids were still covered until end of february despite their dad dying 20th february. FEDHEALTH THEN ADDED MY 3 MINOR KIDS AND THEN AN IMPOSED A 3 MONTH WAITING PERIOD, WHICH MEANS I HAVE TO PAY FOR 3MONTHS PREMIUMS FOR THEM, BUT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE USE OF ANY BENEFITS UNTIL 1st June 2023. I appealed this decision as there was no legitimate reason for this waiting period to be enforced. Fedhealth requested a membership certificate from me to prove that my children were on a medical aid prior and after explaining to their call centre agent that the member(their dad) is deceased and therefore I was unable to get said certificate from him. Further due to the Protection of Personal Information Act, BONITAS MEDICAL SCHEME were not able to give it to me. FEDHEALTH then informed me that i can make an affidavit wherein I swear under oath that the kids were on medical aid prior to re-joing them on mine again , with no gaps. I did the affidavit and was told it would take 3-5 working days to give feedback. After 5 working days I again contacted the call centre and was told the agent that told me 3-5 waiting days is wrong and it's 10 working days. After 10 working days I yet again received no feedback and called and was told by the 3rd agent it is not 10 working days but I fact 3-5 working days to assess my appeal and that the system is showing it has been escalated and the underwriters are requesting a copy of my ex husband's death certificate, so they can request whatever documents from Bonitas. I supp**** said documents and was told I have to wait 3 working days for an answer as to whether my appeal to the waiting periods imposed was successful. After 3 days I received an email stating that my late joinder penalty will stand, which confused me as I was not being penalized for late joinder and my appeal was and has always been on the unconstitutional waiting period for my minor children being imposed with no valid justifications. I called the call centre again and was informed that the underwriting departing stands by their position and she could not explain to me on what grounds but that I can email them and wait 3-5 waiting days for a response on my email. At this stage I am disgusted at the incompetence and unprofessional manner that Fedhealth has handled my relevant and legitimate query and have opted to move to a medical aid where I feel like they have my best onterests at heart and that I'm not just another membership no. I am moving to a new medical aid and have given Fedhealth the required 1month notice to resign. My children will be covered on the new medical aid on 1st May 2023, with no waiting period nonsense. I will never recommend Fedhealth as a medical aid and am extremely angry that as I speak my minor children are being punished for no reason, whilst iI have ro pay and they would not have private hospital coverage even in the event of anything happening, but Fedhealth clearly does not care about people, just premiums...

I WILL GO AS FAR AS TO SAY IT IS CLEAR THEY MESSED ME AROUND AND WASTED MY PRECIOUS TIME AND IT IS CLEAR THAT THE UNDERWRITING DEPARTMENT DID NOT EVEN PROPERLY ASSESS ANYTHING AS THEIR FEEDBACK LETTER IS WRONG AND A GOOD INDICATOR OF THE INCOMPETENCE TO ADEQUATELY DEAL WITH APPEALS.