MEDIHELP IS ********* AND ******** AND SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN

I can't imagine how anyone reading this would not see the utter disgrace, inhumanity and shamefulness demonstrated by Medihelp in a recent incident involving my Mom, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

My mom was on a government medical aid up until end October '22. Due to a change in employment she was forced to resign from the medical aid and subsequently joined Medihelp. She was accepted, in writing, on 3RD OCTOBER 2022. No exclusions for waiting periods were stated. At that point in time nobody from Medihelp had actually communicated with my mom and all such arrangements were done by my brother, who was assisting her in the move over. Never was my mom told, verbally or in writing that should her medical condition change over the next 30 days to notify the scheme.....however....

On 6TH OCTOBER 2022 my mom felt a lump and saw her GP. A biopsy was done straight away and she was given a breast cancer diagnoses on 10TH OCTOBER 2022. My mom then saw a breast surgeon on 11TH OCTOBER 2022, who informed Medihelp of the diagnoses and enquired about oncology benefits THE VERY SAME DAY! This was done via email by the doctor.

My mom then saw an oncologist on 18TH OCTOBER 2022 and the cancer was confirmed as an aggressive triple negative type and that treatment could not be delayed.

On 10TH NOVEMBER 2022, my mom received correspondence from Medihelp stating that she had not disclosed her cancer diagnoses before applying to the scheme for cover. I HAVE NO IDEA how they expected her to know this? Unless having a crystal ball with psychic powers is a pre-requisite of being a Medihelp member? The letter stated that she would be given an opportunity to appeal but responding to the letter. Obviously, in shear panic she immediately responded, detailing the above and the timelines, exactly as I have done above. It appears Medihelp either failed to comprehend that having been in a position to disclose her condition ahead of being accepted by the scheme was an impossible task, or quite simply just didn't care. They subsequently rep**** with a rejection letter and notice of termination from the scheme.

I might add that in this time they had also taken their premium off on debit order.....

So now we have a 64 year old woman, with a very aggressive form of cancer and no medical aid cover. This is disgusting.

Angelique Lite I will keep you updated on my mothers condition. If she is compromised due to a delay in treatment or having to now seek some sort of alternative solution (we all know that most cancer patients die before they get the help they need through the government hospitals) that you will have to live with this knowledge. This is *******, ********* and impossible to think, reading from the MANY similar incidents reported here on Hello Peter that you are getting away with this? But somehow you are and it's shocking.

Clearly Medihelp does not have the backing and infrastructure to service its clients. I would be very very weary of joining this scheme.

In the interim the case will be reported to the Council for Medical Aid Schemes, with the hope of the scheme being stopped from signing death sentences on new unsuspecting members in the future. However, as we know, these investigations take time and by then it will sadly be too late to help my mom. She cannot wait for an outcome and we're now faced with trying to find an alternative.

In the interim