Sasolmed - the worst medical aid scheme (ever!)

Unfortunately, I am a member of Sasolmed. Pleasant experiences are few and far apart and to my dismay, I am forced to remain a member of this pathetic scheme where most of the benefits are only for pregnant women or members with dependents.

- Let's start with the hefty monthly payments - close to R4000 a month for a single individual. Give me the option of evaluating other schemes and choosing myself please?

- A blood pressure monitor is a benefit but I was not authorized to claim for one since I first have to prove I have high blood pressure and am taking medication for it. Essentially, I must get sick before preventing it. I was told that I should see my GP to check my blood pressure. Dear Sasolmed, do a quick return on investment calculation - should I see my GP monthly at R350/visit or you authorize R500 and I purchase the meter? Anyway, I bought my own thermometer and blood pressure monitor using my personal funds.

- I requested pre-authorization for a special surgery. The medical aid acknowledges that I qualify as a candidate for the surgery (and this medical aid offers the surgery), however my doctor and the hospital are not on the 'recognized provider' list. (call reference number: SAS ********** 1) So basically, I am forced to use surgeons on their list. Mind you, the professor is extensively qualified and part of various local and international societies, but not part of one specific society they require him to be part of. A medical aid should pay up to a limit and request a patient to cover shortfalls, not decline authorization fully because a doctor and hospital is not their preferred provider. Is this even legal? So, I've requested a list of their preferred providers and was told "Sasolmed does not have a list of Preferred providers and hospital. You need to confirm with medical facilities in the surrounding areas and confirm if they charge medical aid rates. Claims are processed according to the Sasolmed tariff and Scheme rules" which in is contradiction of what is in the decline letter sent to me. I was also not sent the magic list that I must choose from (reference number 250518QSY***). Not that I intend to use any doctors preferred by a medical scheme but would rather choose a doctor I am comfortable with.

- I then logged three valid claims covered by Sasolmed as follows: 1. Claim sent on 19 May (13 days ago) for R2100 to be reimbursed to myself since I paid with my credit card (reference number: 190518QSMFWB) 2. Claim sent on 21 May (11 days ago) for R3 079.90 to be paid to the provider (reference number: 210518QSMNYB and authorization number: ********** 8) 3. Claim sent on 25 May (7 days ago) for R1300 to be reimbursed to myself since I paid with my credit card (reference number: 250518QSYX1D)

None of these have been processed to date. I've since followed up twice using the Sasolmed mobile app - they still with the relevant department (reference numbers: 010618QT81YG and 240518QSWZKR). Surely it can't take so long to log a claim and reimburse a member??

I could probably rant on for ages on the poor experiences I've had with the ****py service provider but I'm wasting my breath and these complaints since there's no action that comes from Sasolmed. I will consider my monthly contributions sunk costs.