1 reviews | Active since Mar 2012
Terrible service!
I recently changes medical aid schemes due to my family's medical needs changing. After doing some online enquiries I was approached by Optivest Health Services, a medical brokerage company. They presented me with some health insurance options and I was able to compare health plans and thereafter make an informed decision. Once I had made a decision it was a matter of filling in some forms and submitting supporting documentation. Since I was already covered by another medical aid, this should have been a seamless exercise. however it wasn't. I was with my previous medical insurer for 6 years without any break in cover. My membership with my old insurer was terminated in August 2018. When I changed over to the new medical insurer (Medshield) I explicitly requested to join in the month immediately following the month that I left my old medical insurer (September 2018). This is the date that was reflected on the application forms that I completed. Unfortunately, this is not what happened. Between Optivest and Medshield, it was decided on my behalf that my new membership would commence on 01 October 2018. Furthermore, nobody had the decency to advise me of this upfront. It was only when I took my child to the doctor when I found out that a general waiting period had been imposed on our membership. When i called medshield and optivest I was tole that it's because "there was a break in cover" in the month of September. This came as a shock of course and when i asked why the membership had not started in the month I had requested, I was told some story about my application being received late in the month therefore blah blah blah. This is unacceptable! I am a single parent and already having a hard time raising a child on my own without the added stress of having to fork out money out of my own pocket for medical bills when I pay a monthly premium towards a medical aid membership! Optivest has shown little interest in assisting me with this matter. They obviously don't care since they have closed the sale and are getting their monthly fee. Medshield has only been interested in telling me about underwriting (that I am not interested in) since they are getting their monthly premium every month from me!!!
Medshield Medical Scheme has acknowledged your complaint and is currently investigating. Kindly note that your concerns have been prioritised and feedback will be provided within 5 working days. Yours sincerely,Medshield
Best regards,
Medshield Medical Scheme has acknowledged your complaint and is currently investigating. Kindly note that your concerns have been prioritised and feedback will be provided within 5 working days. Yours sincerely,Medshield
Best regards,
With reference to your complaint received at the Scheme. 111118Q3FW8W
Upon the investigation we can advise as follow:
The initial application was received on the 29/08/2018 which was rejected due to bank statement not attached.
Completed application was received on the 31/08/2018 which was captured and then activated on 03/09/2018 . The cut-off dates for members joining 01/09/2018 was the 17/08/2018 hence join date 01/10/2018. Please note that underwriting app**** as per the medical scheme Act : A medical scheme may impose upon any person in respect of whom an application is made for membership or admission as a dependant, and who was previously a beneficiary of a medical scheme for a continuous period of more than 24 months, terminating less than 90 days immediately prior to the date of application, a general waiting period of up to three months, except in respect of any treatment or diagnostic procedures covered within the prescribed minimum benefits.
It should be noted that underwriting communication was sent to broker on the 03/09/2018 to ***,an email and welcome letter clearly showing the join date and underwriting that was app**** was sent to *** on the 04/09/2018. We can confirm that one of the scheme representative from membership department has contacted yourself to advise of the above.
We trust you find the above in order
Yours sincerely,Medshield
Best regards,
With reference to your complaint received at the Scheme. 111118Q3FW8W
Upon the investigation we can advise as follow:
The initial application was received on the 29/08/2018 which was rejected due to bank statement not attached.
Completed application was received on the 31/08/2018 which was captured and then activated on 03/09/2018 . The cut-off dates for members joining 01/09/2018 was the 17/08/2018 hence join date 01/10/2018. Please note that underwriting app**** as per the medical scheme Act : A medical scheme may impose upon any person in respect of whom an application is made for membership or admission as a dependant, and who was previously a beneficiary of a medical scheme for a continuous period of more than 24 months, terminating less than 90 days immediately prior to the date of application, a general waiting period of up to three months, except in respect of any treatment or diagnostic procedures covered within the prescribed minimum benefits.
It should be noted that underwriting communication was sent to broker on the 03/09/2018 to ***,an email and welcome letter clearly showing the join date and underwriting that was app**** was sent to *** on the 04/09/2018. We can confirm that one of the scheme representative from membership department has contacted yourself to advise of the above.
We trust you find the above in order
Yours sincerely,Medshield
Best regards,