EssentialMED
Verified Business
|1.3|9 Reviews (last 12 months)|Responds in 12h 3m
EssentialMED
Verified Business
|1.3
9 Reviews (last 12 months)
Responds in 12h 3m
Performance(last 12 months):
Ranked In Insurance
#94Reply Time
12h 3mNPS Score
-50Unlikely
Replied to 88% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 13h 6m
Ranking
#94
in Insurance
Reply Time
12h 3m
NPS Score
-50
Recommended: Unlikely
Replied to 88% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 13h 6m
Review Distribution
1.3|9 Reviews
Jul '25 - Jun '26
Recent reviews (9)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your ExperienceLY
Linda Y
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
27 May 2026, 13:28
ESSENTIAL MED – INADEQUATE COVER FOR MEDICAL PROCEDURES
In December 2025, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour and app**** for authorisation for a craniotomy in January 2026. After submitting a hospital quotation of R547 000, Essential Med approved only R63 600 for 3 days of post-operative ICU care and required me to accept liability for the remaining balance. I appealed this decision but received no response. I then submitted a lower hospital quotation of R421 000, yet the approved cover was reduced even further to R42 400, now covering only 2 days of ICU care. This left me with a shortfall of R378 600. The procedure was ultimately performed at a State hospital at minimal cost. However, my subsequent claim was rejected due to alleged insufficient paperwork from the State hospital. I have been a claim-free member for 5 years. My approved cover did not include any in-hospital procedure involving specialists or theatre costs. It is also concerning that the approved benefit decreased as the hospital quotation decreased for the same procedure. Be warned: this product does not provide meaningful financial protection in a serious medical situation.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (3)LY
Linda Y
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
27 May 2026, 13:28
ESSENTIAL MED – INADEQUATE COVER FOR MEDICAL PROCEDURES
In December 2025, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour and app**** for authorisation for a craniotomy in January 2026. After submitting a hospital quotation of R547 000, Essential Med approved only R63 600 for 3 days of post-operative ICU care and required me to accept liability for the remaining balance. I appealed this decision but received no response. I then submitted a lower hospital quotation of R421 000, yet the approved cover was reduced even further to R42 400, now covering only 2 days of ICU care. This left me with a shortfall of R378 600. The procedure was ultimately performed at a State hospital at minimal cost. However, my subsequent claim was rejected due to alleged insufficient paperwork from the State hospital. I have been a claim-free member for 5 years. My approved cover did not include any in-hospital procedure involving specialists or theatre costs. It is also concerning that the approved benefit decreased as the hospital quotation decreased for the same procedure. Be warned: this product does not provide meaningful financial protection in a serious medical situation.
0
Replies (3)LM
Levona M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
20 May 2026, 09:19
Refund
I'm not happy. I made a payment last month and was planning to do the next, next week. I went to the doctor yesterday and they called for confirmation. The receptionist was told we not covered since the 30 April. I sent a email yesterday and no response. We haven't used any of the benifits of this scheme and no one informed us about the cancelation. I want my money to be refunded. .
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)LM
Levona M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
20 May 2026, 09:19
Refund
I'm not happy. I made a payment last month and was planning to do the next, next week. I went to the doctor yesterday and they called for confirmation. The receptionist was told we not covered since the 30 April. I sent a email yesterday and no response. We haven't used any of the benifits of this scheme and no one informed us about the cancelation. I want my money to be refunded. .
0
Replies (0)TT
Thabo T
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
9 Apr 2026, 15:51
DAYLIGHT ******* 1 MONTH WAITING PERIOD JANUARY TO MARCH?
I've never ever had a problem with Essential-Med since I joined in 2023 but right now after 3yrs I'm going crazy I registered my new born in January and I was notified that the debit order for February 2026 couldn't be processed then I made the payment directly into your bank account whereby the 1 month waiting period was from 1 February to 28 February which means I'm in the clean record of waiting period and full payment. Now I'm receiving a remittance that the doctor was not paid due to 1 month waiting period and if I recall correctly this is a prepaid for March 2026 after waiting a full month of February. Please fix that please you can assess and treat me as your valued client please unless you're playing the Discovery Med I left them for such stunts. Please don't make me victim please.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)TT
Thabo T
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
9 Apr 2026, 15:51
DAYLIGHT ******* 1 MONTH WAITING PERIOD JANUARY TO MARCH?
I've never ever had a problem with Essential-Med since I joined in 2023 but right now after 3yrs I'm going crazy I registered my new born in January and I was notified that the debit order for February 2026 couldn't be processed then I made the payment directly into your bank account whereby the 1 month waiting period was from 1 February to 28 February which means I'm in the clean record of waiting period and full payment. Now I'm receiving a remittance that the doctor was not paid due to 1 month waiting period and if I recall correctly this is a prepaid for March 2026 after waiting a full month of February. Please fix that please you can assess and treat me as your valued client please unless you're playing the Discovery Med I left them for such stunts. Please don't make me victim please.
0
Replies (0)MJ
Mariska J
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
1 Apr 2026, 09:45
ESSENTIAL MED DO MOT USE THIS SERVICE.I took out a Hospital plan crom Essential med now i need to go to emergency for an ultrasound now the refuse to pay for the ultrasound, this is bull****.. quick to phone for business and promise you the moom and stars
totally disappointed in Essential med and would not recommend any one taking this product
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)MJ
Mariska J
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
1 Apr 2026, 09:45
ESSENTIAL MED DO MOT USE THIS SERVICE.I took out a Hospital plan crom Essential med now i need to go to emergency for an ultrasound now the refuse to pay for the ultrasound, this is bull****.. quick to phone for business and promise you the moom and stars
totally disappointed in Essential med and would not recommend any one taking this product
0
Replies (0)HT
Hazel T
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
16 Mar 2026, 08:05
FALSE ADVERTISING WITH GREAT SELLING TECHNIQUES HIDDEN SMALL PRINT
False advertising: dentist cover shows unlimited consults and procedures, no where stipulates you only allowed 2 x-rays per visit but yes you limited apparently great selling features if you ask me. they don't inform the member of these small prints but apparently the dentist should know this. out of pocket another R650 Blood work nothing is covered single tests are not covered even when you go see a network dr another R550 out of pocket Casualties: 2nd time that you try go they make a excuse not to pay, this time it was my emergency was related to a illness and again no where stipulated not included again out of pocket R1800 R3000 out of pocket in less than a month!!!!! Dont waste your money joining this company you will end up paying much more than your cheap premium they sell to you with **** pretence
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)HT
Hazel T
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
16 Mar 2026, 08:05
FALSE ADVERTISING WITH GREAT SELLING TECHNIQUES HIDDEN SMALL PRINT
False advertising: dentist cover shows unlimited consults and procedures, no where stipulates you only allowed 2 x-rays per visit but yes you limited apparently great selling features if you ask me. they don't inform the member of these small prints but apparently the dentist should know this. out of pocket another R650 Blood work nothing is covered single tests are not covered even when you go see a network dr another R550 out of pocket Casualties: 2nd time that you try go they make a excuse not to pay, this time it was my emergency was related to a illness and again no where stipulated not included again out of pocket R1800 R3000 out of pocket in less than a month!!!!! Dont waste your money joining this company you will end up paying much more than your cheap premium they sell to you with **** pretence
0
Replies (0)KS
PL
Precious Lamar-Reed
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
15 Sept 2025, 21:08
****mers
Worst experience ever, Prior to me giving birth I contacted the medical aid to enquire about how I can go about the challenge I was facing because I was meant to deliver at netcare and netcare was not accepting my medical aid,I was advised by a consultant at essential med that I can pay cash and then later claim from the medical aid and also informed me about the documents I would have to submit. I gave birth and I made sure to submit all the invoices required (aswell as quotations prior to my delivery). I spent a total of R40 000 on my delivery and I understood the medical aid will pay out a maximum of R31 800 as that was what I was covered for . To my surprise on the 28th of July I received R13 329 from the medical aid of which I called to enquire why that was and I was told there has been an error on their side and they were going to fix it,the operator assisting me was failing to give me answers as to when in this will be fixed(two weeks later),he than transferred me to a lady named Zelda whom I tried to reach out to on the 25th of August who refused to take my call and told the operator to inform me that she’s busy with my case and will correspond with me via email and till today she hasn’t gotten back to me . I have no idea at the moment what’s being done in order to fix my issue no answers are being provided and on my side I have submitted all the information required of me,it is very clear that there is an internal **** going on ensuring that we do not get our refund. Using this medical aid is a waste of money I would not advise
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)PL
Precious Lamar-Reed
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
15 Sept 2025, 21:08
****mers
Worst experience ever, Prior to me giving birth I contacted the medical aid to enquire about how I can go about the challenge I was facing because I was meant to deliver at netcare and netcare was not accepting my medical aid,I was advised by a consultant at essential med that I can pay cash and then later claim from the medical aid and also informed me about the documents I would have to submit. I gave birth and I made sure to submit all the invoices required (aswell as quotations prior to my delivery). I spent a total of R40 000 on my delivery and I understood the medical aid will pay out a maximum of R31 800 as that was what I was covered for . To my surprise on the 28th of July I received R13 329 from the medical aid of which I called to enquire why that was and I was told there has been an error on their side and they were going to fix it,the operator assisting me was failing to give me answers as to when in this will be fixed(two weeks later),he than transferred me to a lady named Zelda whom I tried to reach out to on the 25th of August who refused to take my call and told the operator to inform me that she’s busy with my case and will correspond with me via email and till today she hasn’t gotten back to me . I have no idea at the moment what’s being done in order to fix my issue no answers are being provided and on my side I have submitted all the information required of me,it is very clear that there is an internal **** going on ensuring that we do not get our refund. Using this medical aid is a waste of money I would not advise
0
Replies (0)TK
Thohida K
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
24 Jul 2025, 10:49
Bad Service
Hello. Phoned Customer service and requested a call back explaining I had 1 minute remaining. I waited for a bit the called back. Spoke to a rude gentleman by the name of Cyril. He rudely told me I told him I had 1 minute remaining but I spoke for 2 minutes. I had obviously put in more airtime while waiting for a call back. When they want business then 5 people will call you on the same day. Why have a call back system when you don't want to return call.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)TK
Thohida K
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
24 Jul 2025, 10:49
Bad Service
Hello. Phoned Customer service and requested a call back explaining I had 1 minute remaining. I waited for a bit the called back. Spoke to a rude gentleman by the name of Cyril. He rudely told me I told him I had 1 minute remaining but I spoke for 2 minutes. I had obviously put in more airtime while waiting for a call back. When they want business then 5 people will call you on the same day. Why have a call back system when you don't want to return call.
0
Replies (0)