Took an unnecessary payment from me and seem unable to refund

I was taken to Olivedale Clinic emergency rooms after crashing off my bicycle at the end of October. I had a fractured collarbone and broken ribs with suspected punctured lung. Once seen by the Surgeon I was admitted to the High Care ward.

A few minutes into the admission an admin person came to my bed and said that I had to do a co-payment of R7100. We did say this should not be the case as my medical aid (Discovery Health) will cover all expenses in hospital if admitted through casualty. I paid the money not wanting to be taken to another hospital in the state i was in.

On querying this two days later I was told that they would hold onto the monies until Discovery had paid the bill in full and any over payment will be credited. I could not argue as the hospital had unfairly taken this money any way.

On discharge I again queried and got very little difference in response. Basically I had to wait for Discovery to pay, which they did, and they did in full with no co-payment required. This meant the account had a credit of R7100.

So as it stands we are more than a month out from when I paid Netcare money it should never have charged me. There seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel.

Currently emailing requests have lead to responses saying that we are waiting fro a signature. It feels very much like this process is not going to end well. It is a pity as the general experience has been a good one for the circumstances and now it is getting soured badly.

I have been dealing with Jackie Coetzee, the credit controller from Olivedale hospital who seems unable to do anything but sit in the firing line of a system that *****s money. She has referenced me to her financial manager Ramona Moodley. E-mail address ********** Contact number: ********** . - An email to her was sent today (5 December).