Netcare refunds: the worst ever!

I was admitted into a Netcare hospital on 18 September for surgery. Due to the fact that my medical aid declined the procedure (a whole Hellopeter story by itself) I had to cough up an estimated R32 000 odd, to be paid before being admitted. I mean, as a working class person, who has that kind of money lying around? In the end, I had to make loans, cut costs elsewhere and almost get myself into trouble to come up with this money as the procedure was a necessity and could not be done at the provincial hospital.

I received the final bill on 26 September, with a much smaller amount - thus, Netcare owes me a refund of about R9000 odd. Now, in the meantime, those costs I had to cut elsewhere caught up with me and I need the refund paid back to me. I contacted various people at Netcare, who "escalated" the matter. I phoned multiple times, being put through from the one person to the next. (Note - this is almost 2 months after being discharged!)

I finally reached a lady who seems to handle the refunds, to be told she wasn't aware of my account or case or whatever you may call it. I made it very clear to her that I can't have my broken car fixed at the moment - I need that money, and I need my car to get to work! She requested forms to be filled out, and promised that I will get the refund the day after the forms were submitted. Guess what? No refund the day after. Instead, in an email, it states that I can expect it to reflect 5 days after. Guess what? Still no refund.

When I had to pay, there was only one way - sell your organs on the black market and pay us before we will even look in your direction. Now that this MASSIVE company, who sits on millions, need to pay me back - money I desperately need - all of a sudden it is okay to linger and pay whenever they feel like it? Two months? Seriously? This is totally unacceptable!!!

Dear Netcare: I want my refund TODAY.