GEMS Application, delay tactics, 2 months to join, frindly voices with no action at the call and walk in centre

Prospective Member Number ********** 69 - Dr CS Ferguson With Reference: Metropolitan Health, the health division of MMI Holdings Ltd, has been reappointed as administrator of the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), reputedly South Africa's fastest growing medical scheme.

The service I received with my application to become a member of GEMS, after resigning from Discovery has been disastrous. I have proof of all emails, and my visits to their walk in centre at Arcadia. I get letters in the post demanding more information, how difficult can it be to become a member of a medical aid.

It has taken me in the excess of two months, Prospective member number ********** 69 - Dr CS Ferguson. I have move from discovery where I became a member in one single day in 2005, to probably a big mistake, being a government employee, to move to GEMS. GEMS write me letters that take 2-3 weeks to deliver and don't answer any emails. I rely in a day, get zero response on my replies. I have all the documented evidence, will be made available at any inquiry or consultation.

Two months, still no membership, I phone the call centre to escalate, note and escalation, and I am told to wait 48hours for a reply. The public complain about government service, this is a public institution, giving poos service to government. Therefore, it seems as if the private sector has the attitude that service to the government should be poor.

My problem is, from 1st January 2018 I don't have a medical aid, not that I was careless but because of extremely poor administration of Metropolitan Health. I gave 2 month notice at Discovery to ensure a smooth transition.

The solution I require is my membership admittance and the cards. Membership is not rocket science, it’s a service Metropolitan Health are being paid for. Is the private sector discouraging members to join government funds with delay tactics? If so what lies behind these tactics?

What is the escalation procedure after the call centre fails you dismally?