Hospitalisation vs out patient treatment

At the height of the Covid pandemic I had to go to hospital for tests regarding terrible migranes I have.

Due to the fact that hospitals are the WORST place to be during this time I opted to rather go for the tests "out of hospital"

I am not employed at the moment. I have been paying my premiums despite that. If I get booked into hospital I cannot bake (which at the moment is my only source of income - sporadic) Baking helps me pay my medical aid premiums. So if I went to hospital I would be in a situation where i might be exposed to corona, lose income and not be able to pay my premiums.

I sent an e mail to medihelp requesting them to review the payment for my blood tests out of hospital. I asked who I can contact regarding application for review based on the above mentioned circumstances.

Short end of it is that I have to pay for it. They did not even give me the option to apply for review.

It is pathetic to say the least.

Bear in mind that my mother in law was admitted to the same hospital and a person could walk into the hospital, straight through to her bed without being stopped.

if I went to hospital I would not be able to bake meaning I do not have income to pay my premiums. If i got infected whilst in hospital i would not be able to bake and also not be able to pay my premiums.

Now I am sitting with a bill of over R13 000.

And they are not very helpful to let me apply for a review at least