Calling an admin fee, a co-payment before even seeing the dentist is not acceptable.
I contacted the dentist room to book appointment for the 22 November 2023. I received the confirmation on WhatsApp, stating a co-payment of R100 to be done on the day. I questioned the co-payment as this is a medical matter if co-payment is required. The receptionist then explained to me it's not a co-payment as such but an admin fee for submitting a claim to medical aid. This is such unethical methods being applied, you want to charge me, for medical aid claim, who they will be charging again for procedures. I of course did not confirm the appointment and will look for another dentist.
The issue is not the co-payment itself, but that an admin fee charge will be falsely displayed as a co-payment. This created immediate distrust and not sure that I could trust the practice to have my best interest at heart considering the dishonesty, in calling it a co-payment. I have the WhatsApp message saved.
What fees will be charged to my medical aid? Will it be for the actual procedure? these are some of the questions that immediately come to mind.
