The 20 000 SA Post Office (SAPO) workers, their dependants and pensioners whose MediPos Medical Scheme cover was cancelled from 1 October after the Post Office failed to make payments totalling R700m to the scheme, are anxiously waiting for news of their reinstatement.
On Friday, MediPos told them the scheme had had to “revert to attaching SAPO’s bank account for about R60m for the recovery of the arrears”.
But it is still waiting to receive those funds, reports TimesLIVE.
“We have been advised of an incorrect message circulating, informing members that SAPO has paid R60m to MediPos and that the suspension would be lifted,” the scheme said.
“Please note the sheriff has informed MediPos that the funds have not been received from the SAPO bank account yet. Once the sheriff confirms receipt of the funds into the sheriff's account, the scheme will immediately lift the suspension of benefits and communicate the good news.”
Earlier last week, MediPos had contracted members, asking them to pay their contributions “arrears” – this despite their payslips stating the contributions had been paid.
“To have your suspension lifted you will be required to pay September’s contribution with less than an additional two months' contribution, which can be paid off as part of an agreed payment plan,” they were told. “If you have not done so already we would encourage you to enter into a similar arrangement with the scheme in respect of the arrear debt.”
“The Post Office has been deducting medical aid contributions from its employees’ salaries and simply ran away with the money, amounting to a staggering R700m unpaid bill,” said DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard. “This is fraud on the most enormous scale.
“Every parliamentary option available to an MP has been utilised: members’ statements, questions to the Minister, media statements and additionally, after a meeting with the Hawks, a nationwide investigation has been launched.”
Mark Hyman, CEO of MediCheck, said he had received numerous calls last week from Medipos members who had been told their treatments were no longer covered by the scheme, including several who were undergoing dialysis treatments.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Medipos threatens to cut SAPO medical aid over R700m debt
Post Office medical aid settlement agreement reached, says Solidarity
Post Office workers and pensioners face loss of medical aid cover