Bad communication from Melomed Private hospital Gatesville

In August 2020, both my babies were admitted on the same day, the one had an injury and the other one had a high temperature , apparently she had fits. They were both admitted at Melomed Private hospital in Gatesville Cape town. They were treated and everything was fine . They then got discharged and everything was good apart from a few challenges at the private hospital. After two months I received calls and emails and letters from path care that I owe them over R4000 since that my medical aid which is discovery did not pay since they do not cover . I admit that the bills are made by me coz of my kids however . Firstly , how was the hospital not able to contact me at the time when they took my children's results that my medical aid will not cover, do they not make checks first to see if the medical aid cover or not then inform the parent about the cost . If I knew that the medical will not cover certain blood test , then I could have taken my kids to red cross hospital at that moment and at least pay something that is in my means, Now Path care is harassing me to pay amount I can not even afford. I am a single parent , widow with two kids, there is no one else helping me me with raising these kids and then path care demand their money on the table . I acknowledge the debt however why was I not informed at that time what the medical aid can pay and what they can not pay? now how do they expect me to go forward with this? Is there no process that the hospital take before they put a parents life in debt ? I am told that I am being handed over since that I am not making any payments into the pathcare account... were the hospital not suppose to tell me before drawing blood that i am not covered ?