Momentum medical aid does not cover Covid 19 compulsory tests

Momentum medical aid does not cover Covid 19 compulsory tests. If one has to go in for a emergency operation (not cosmetic) it is compulsory for every patient to undergo a test as not one private hospital will admit a client without this test. My 3 year old daughter had tonsillitis at least 5 times in 4 months. We were referred to an ear throat and nose specialist by our GP due to this being a huge problem. The specialized Dr whom consulted my 3 year old insisted that her tonsils be removed for health risk reason (which I will furnish a letter for). Before she could be booked for the operation the hospital insist a covid – 19 test to be done as they would not admit her into the hospital for the procedure. She conducted the test on the 04/09/2020 and was booked for the 07/09/2020 which pre-authorisation was received for by Momentum. She went in for the procedure on the 07/09/2020 after the covid test came back negative and the procedure went to plan.

On Saturday the 12/09/2020 my daughter started having stomach problems (diarrhea) We at first thought it might have been due to the antibiotics taken for the procedure done the week before, but on Monday the 14/09/2020 it got worse. We went to Pinehaven Netcare hospital emergency room around 18h00 due to her starting to dehydrate. Only she and my wife was allowed to enter after they were screened. The doctor consulted her after they were quarantined in their own room and sent her stool and blood test away for several test to be conducted. We were informed that she must stay the night after the tests were received, however an covid test had to be conducted on both of them that evening and they had to stay the night in the room until the hospital received the tests the next morning whereupon they would have been moved to a different room if negative as they would not have been able to leave the room without this test. The test came back negative and they were moved to another room in the paediatric ward. She had to stay another night at the Doctors request due to her symptoms not improving much and my wife stayed the second night with her as well. A parent cannot leave their 3 year old child alone in a hospital.

The Covid 19 tests is compulsory for any private hospital before any patient will be admitted. My daughter had to undergo 2 x tests already for emergency admissions, not cosmetic however Momentum is not willing to cover this as according to them it is not compulsory (one of the only medical aids not willing to cover this) I do agree that my wife’s test would not be covered, however I do not agree to my daughters test not being covered.

I did request several confirmation letters from the DR’s and Specialists involved that the admissions was due to emergencies and not normal cosmetic procedures and will submit my findings to the medical aid ombudsman and several medical bodies. I will also cancel all my insurance policies and medical aid as well as our company policies with Momentum due to this.