Mediclinic hiding true hospital expenses

My daughter was referred to Constantiaberg Mediclinic on the 1st July with suspected appendicitis. After a MRI they confirmed she would need an operation. She called me for advice and I asked her to check with the hospital for the amount of the operation as she is a student teacher and currently earns R3500 a month while studying at UNISA. She spoke to a hospital employee who gave her a fee of approximately R28800.00. I said to her that sounds reasonable and I would cover the expense for her as she doesn’t have medical aid.

I arrived at the hospital about an hour later and she was in a lot of pain and struggling to deal with the situation. A lady, I think Reshmaana asked me if I could pay up front for the operation, which I then did at the emergency ward. I asked her if this would cover everything and she assured me that it would. The amount was R28805 plus R1000 for the doctor and R715 for the emergency room. A total of R31520.00

3 days later my daughter was discharged and went to reception where I was told that there was no outstanding amount and we could leave. I was given a receipt of R28805.00 as a full and final payment for the operation.

A few days later I received an invoice from the Doctor for R15567.88. This was the first time my daughter and I were made aware that the Doctors fee’s were excluded from the amount paid to the hospital. Two days later I received another invoice from the Anaesthetist for R6595.61. Again this was the first time my daughter and I were made aware that his fee was not included in the amount paid to the hospital.

I find this practice completely *********. She requested a full amount for the operation and at no stage was she told that the Doctors and Anaesthetists fee’s were excluded. As she was a patient of the hospital all fee’s should be included in one invoice.

As mentioned, she is a student teacher earning R3500 a month and cannot afford to pay back this massive amount of R53683.49 plus the R7500 for the MRI. I am shocked and disgusted that Mediclinic can do this to a young person!