Stratum leaves dental Clients to rot

Took out a Dental policy through Stratum in 2017 with the specific purpose to pay for my daughter's braces. The policy was specifically recommended to my by the broker for this purpose and the broker knew it was the sole reason I took out the policy. Tried to claim for braces last year, only to be informed they don't cover it anymore.. They allegedly send me an email to inform, of which I have no record receiving. Even the broker says she never received any notification of such., and would have informed me if she did. Coincidentally, there was a waiting period of six months before I could claim, and this "email" came 1 month before the time. They claim it is not a"mayor" benefit ( R17000 in 2017.... not mayor????) and I have no reason to complain, as there is "enough" other benefits toe justify my premium. If it is not mayor, why do you have a problem paying it??? They totally ignore the fact that I specifically took out the policy for the braces benefit. I am sure this was a big selling point for them on this policy and can only deduct that many people used the benefit and therefor the benefit became not so minor, but indeed mayor, and therefor very costly. My premiums was not adjusted for he lost of the benefit and Stratum also refused to pay back my premiums. They simply pulled up their shoulders. I was left to contact the Dental company directly, but no success as they did not answer their phones. Also note that other "mayor" benefits was made smaller from to 2017 to 2019. Crowns and root canals are covered for smaller amounts now than in 2017! So my overall coverage did not only shrink with the braces benefit, but also with for overall benefits. Furthermore, the accounts lady at my dentist, upon looking at what they covered, noted that they basically cover on the level of "Key care"!! That is a further shock, They don't even cover normal rates. I have to pay in a huge amount on basic work! It seems my yearly premiums are almost more than what a normal person would claim in a year for normal dentistry! I really feel ****med!

Furthermore, I recently received notice that Stratum is severing their ties with the Dental company due to differences in product focus. There is not much difference in dental care and hospital care - both the medical field, is it not? It just confirms my initial deduction - Stratum realised the Dental company is bad news and decided to get out, but in the process leaving the customer to bite the bullet. Shame on you Stratum Benefits, you got in bed with a business partner, and when you realised it is not working, you decided to leave. But the poor customer is pulling on the shortest end. At least you should man-up for your poor business decisions.

If you can do this with your Dental Customers, who's to say what you can do with your other customers? The sad part is that you hide behind small print in contracts and poor excuses like "we mailed you". I did not take out my policy via email, I took it out in person. I took it out for a specific benefit which was communicated in no uncertain terms, and was in fact the selling point. I expected my dental care to be covered, not to leave my hands chopped and my purse empty. You got my premiums every month, but now you turn your back and pull up your shoulders. I kept my part of the bargain, but you are leaving me empty handed while you are laughing all the way to the bank.

My advise - stay away from Stratum!