Mometum ******* on Late joiner Penalty

I was out of South Africa for a few years and cancelled my Momentum Medical aid which I had from Jan 2006. This was cancelled December2015 and then I re-joined August 2018. Momentum now charge me a Late Joiner Penalty is app**** to members/dependants over the age of 35 years for the period which they had no valid medical aid cover. In this particular instance, the Late Joiner Penalty for Mr. Owen was calculated as follows: According to the application received you were off medical aid for 17 years. The Late Joiner Penalty is converted to a percentage format and then app**** to the member's risk contribution only. Kindly note that the number of years the person has been without medical aid cover is taken into account and if they fall within the scales below the relevant penalty will apply to the member's risk contribution only (excluding the savings portion): Maximum Penalty Percentage of Risk Contribution: 1-4 years: 5% 5-14 years: 25% 15-24 years: 50% 25 + years: 75% The risk portion of the monthly premium is R2521.00 and 50% of this is R1260; resulting in the Late Joiner Penalty portion of R1260.00 which is added to the total monthly premium.

They are unable to calculate the amount of time I was off medical aid i.e from 2006 to 2019 - 2 years and are charging me 50% penalty for a 2 year break