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Polmed
Verified Business
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AI Review Summary
Based on recent customer reviews, Polmed receives overwhelmingly negative feedback from members. Recurring complaints centre on legitimate medical claims being rejected, particularly for diagnostic imaging and surgical procedures. Members report severe delays in authorisation processing, with some cases taking over eight months. The client portal has been flagged for displaying inaccurate benefit information. Communication is a major pain point, with members receiving no feedback on appeals and queries for extended periods. Several reviewers highlight difficulties with reinstatement after lapsed payments, and customer service interactions are described as unhelpful and unprofessional.
Performance(last 12 months):
0Trustindex Rating
#14Ranked In Health & Medical
24h 42mReply Time
-50 NPSUnlikely
Replied to 86% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 20 hours 29 min
TrustIndex
0
Ranking
#14
in Health & Medical
Avg Reply
24h 42m
NPS Score
-50
Recommended: Unlikely
Replied to 86% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 20 hours 29 min
Review Distribution
1.3|24 Reviews
May '25 - Apr '26
5(0%)
4(8.3%)
3(0%)
2(8.3%)
1(83.3%)
5(0%)
4(8.3%)
3(0%)
2(8.3%)
1(83.3%)
Frequently Asked Questions About Polmed
Based on recent customer reviews, Polmed receives overwhelmingly negative feedback from members. Recurring complaints centre on legitimate medical claims being rejected, particularly for diagnostic imaging and surgical procedures. Members report severe delays in authorisation processing, with some cases taking over eight months. The client portal has been flagged for displaying inaccurate benefit information. Communication is a major pain point, with members receiving no feedback on appeals and queries for extended periods. Several reviewers highlight difficulties with reinstatement after lapsed payments, and customer service interactions are described as unhelpful and unprofessional.
Polmed has a TrustIndex of 0 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 24 reviews in the last 12 months. They reply to 86% of negative reviews, typically within 20 hours 29 min. Hellopeter has tracked Polmed across 231 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →
Recent reviews (24)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your ExperienceJC
Julian C
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
11 Mar 2026, 19:50
Very dissappointed in Polmed medical aid
I am extremely dissatisfied and frustrated in the handling of my daughters recent hospital procedure claim. Several crucial claims were only partially paid leaving me with nearly half of the total amount owed to service providers. This outcome is both unexpected and unacceptable. What makes this particularly dissappointing is that I've been a loyal member of this medical aid for more than 21years,in all that time this was the first occasion that I or any member of my family required a hospital procedure. After more than two decades of consistently paying contributions, I expected fair coverage and reliable support when it was finally needed. Instead I have been left with a significant and unforseen financial burden. Members rely on their medical aid to provide meaningful support during serious medical events, and in this instance the service and claims handling of polmed have fallen far short of expectations. I strongly urge polmed to review this partial claims payment as this was in hospital and not out of hospital. My underage daughter also needed physio therapy after this surgery and due to polmeds non-payment for this essential benefit I had to borrow money to get my daughter the help she needed as she had to learn to walk from start again because polmed failed my daughter in this regard. On top of that now I am left with almost half of the amount of the procedure to pay the service providers which leaves me with the question why are we paying monthly contributions and why is there different benefits like in hospital but they dont cover essential aid for their members. For a medical aid that members trust to provide support during serious medical situations this level of service is extremely dissappointing. This experience has seriously damaged my trust in the values of this medical aid called polmed and I would strongly caution other members to carefully consider their options before relying on this scheme...
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)JC
Julian C
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
11 Mar 2026, 19:50
Very dissappointed in Polmed medical aid
I am extremely dissatisfied and frustrated in the handling of my daughters recent hospital procedure claim. Several crucial claims were only partially paid leaving me with nearly half of the total amount owed to service providers. This outcome is both unexpected and unacceptable. What makes this particularly dissappointing is that I've been a loyal member of this medical aid for more than 21years,in all that time this was the first occasion that I or any member of my family required a hospital procedure. After more than two decades of consistently paying contributions, I expected fair coverage and reliable support when it was finally needed. Instead I have been left with a significant and unforseen financial burden. Members rely on their medical aid to provide meaningful support during serious medical events, and in this instance the service and claims handling of polmed have fallen far short of expectations. I strongly urge polmed to review this partial claims payment as this was in hospital and not out of hospital. My underage daughter also needed physio therapy after this surgery and due to polmeds non-payment for this essential benefit I had to borrow money to get my daughter the help she needed as she had to learn to walk from start again because polmed failed my daughter in this regard. On top of that now I am left with almost half of the amount of the procedure to pay the service providers which leaves me with the question why are we paying monthly contributions and why is there different benefits like in hospital but they dont cover essential aid for their members. For a medical aid that members trust to provide support during serious medical situations this level of service is extremely dissappointing. This experience has seriously damaged my trust in the values of this medical aid called polmed and I would strongly caution other members to carefully consider their options before relying on this scheme...
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Replies (0)MV
MARCEL V
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
9 Mar 2026, 13:29
UNABLE TO GET ACCOUNT PAID FROM PREVENTITIVE BENEFIT
Good day.My dep 01 went for a Bone densitometry scan on 03/03/2026.Since then i am unable to get the account paid from the preventitive benefit(one scan in a life time for over 65 year old).First told its not covered.Then told it is covered but wrong ICD10 code on account.Polmed gave code Z13.8.Now again its rejected because it is not PMB???Can someone assist to sort this out? PR NO:3802248 Date of service:03/03/2026
Helpful (0)
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MARCEL V
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
9 Mar 2026, 13:29
UNABLE TO GET ACCOUNT PAID FROM PREVENTITIVE BENEFIT
Good day.My dep 01 went for a Bone densitometry scan on 03/03/2026.Since then i am unable to get the account paid from the preventitive benefit(one scan in a life time for over 65 year old).First told its not covered.Then told it is covered but wrong ICD10 code on account.Polmed gave code Z13.8.Now again its rejected because it is not PMB???Can someone assist to sort this out? PR NO:3802248 Date of service:03/03/2026
0
Replies (0)PJ
Patrick J
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
4 Mar 2026, 17:53
From Bad to Worse: Is Polmed Still a Medical Aid or Just a Claims Rejection Machine?
I never imagined that getting basic medical care for my child would turn into a battle with my own medical aid — twice in one year. My daughter recently injured her ankle at school. She was in severe pain and could not walk properly. As any concerned parent would do, I immediately took her to our GP. After examining her, the doctor referred us for a radiology ultrasound to ensure there was no internal damage or fracture in her ankle. It was a standard, medically necessary referral. To my shock — Polmed rejected the claim. This is now the second time within one year that Polmed has rejected claims for treatment I am supposed to be covered for. As a paying member, I am left confused and frustrated. What exactly am I covered for? Emergency care? Specialist referrals? Basic diagnostic imaging? Medical aid is meant to provide peace of mind during stressful times. Instead, I am faced with uncer*****y, administrative stress, and unexpected financial pressure — all while trying to care for my injured child. I do not understand what is happening within Polmed’s management, but if legitimate claims continue to be rejected at this rate, their client base will inevitably decline. Members cannot continue paying high monthly contributions only to fight for basic healthcare benefits. I am now in a position where I need advice and assistance. How can these rejections be challenged effectively? What rights do members have in situations like this? Who oversees medical aid schemes to ensure fairness and accountability? I urge Polmed to review its claims process and provide transparency to its members. Trust, once lost, is difficult to rebuild. At this point, I am not angry — I am deeply disappointed.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)PJ
Patrick J
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
4 Mar 2026, 17:53
From Bad to Worse: Is Polmed Still a Medical Aid or Just a Claims Rejection Machine?
I never imagined that getting basic medical care for my child would turn into a battle with my own medical aid — twice in one year. My daughter recently injured her ankle at school. She was in severe pain and could not walk properly. As any concerned parent would do, I immediately took her to our GP. After examining her, the doctor referred us for a radiology ultrasound to ensure there was no internal damage or fracture in her ankle. It was a standard, medically necessary referral. To my shock — Polmed rejected the claim. This is now the second time within one year that Polmed has rejected claims for treatment I am supposed to be covered for. As a paying member, I am left confused and frustrated. What exactly am I covered for? Emergency care? Specialist referrals? Basic diagnostic imaging? Medical aid is meant to provide peace of mind during stressful times. Instead, I am faced with uncer*****y, administrative stress, and unexpected financial pressure — all while trying to care for my injured child. I do not understand what is happening within Polmed’s management, but if legitimate claims continue to be rejected at this rate, their client base will inevitably decline. Members cannot continue paying high monthly contributions only to fight for basic healthcare benefits. I am now in a position where I need advice and assistance. How can these rejections be challenged effectively? What rights do members have in situations like this? Who oversees medical aid schemes to ensure fairness and accountability? I urge Polmed to review its claims process and provide transparency to its members. Trust, once lost, is difficult to rebuild. At this point, I am not angry — I am deeply disappointed.
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Replies (0)MV
MARCEL V
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
2 Mar 2026, 09:17
POLMED:MEMBERS MUST PAY UPFRONT BEFORE BEING HELPED???
Ref 020326QFMND6.Good day.I am unable to get straight forward answers from Polmed. I want to know why my mother who is also a member of Polmed must first pay for a scan at a service provider(Bayradiology Port Elizabeth 041 3939100)Service provider says because my mother is on aquarium plan all services must be paid for first before they will render services.This is not acceptable and Polmed must adress this.Where do Polmed think members must get thousand of rands from to pay upfront??
Helpful (0)
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MARCEL V
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
2 Mar 2026, 09:17
POLMED:MEMBERS MUST PAY UPFRONT BEFORE BEING HELPED???
Ref 020326QFMND6.Good day.I am unable to get straight forward answers from Polmed. I want to know why my mother who is also a member of Polmed must first pay for a scan at a service provider(Bayradiology Port Elizabeth 041 3939100)Service provider says because my mother is on aquarium plan all services must be paid for first before they will render services.This is not acceptable and Polmed must adress this.Where do Polmed think members must get thousand of rands from to pay upfront??
0
Replies (0)PJ
Patrick J
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
12 Feb 2026, 09:07
Polmed’s “Hidden Rules” Cost Me R1,000
After 23 years with Polmed, I expected reliability, not surprises. In July 2025, my GP referred me to a urologist for a necessary medical procedure. All authorizations were obtained, including hospitalization—everything by the book. Fast forward to my follow-up on 4 February 2026: my urologist informed me Polmed had an issue with the claim. Apparently, authorization needs to be renewed every year—or every six months, depending on who’s reading the fine print that apparently only Polmed gets to see. Funny, I never received a heads-up about this “policy,” and I doubt they’ll start any awareness campaigns soon. The outcome? A R1,000 co-payment for a procedure that should have been fully covered. After more than two decades with them, it’s clear their standards have slipped, and transparency is optional. Polmed, here’s a thought: maybe tell your members about these hidden rules before billing them unexpectedly. It might just save someone a surprise bill—and a lot of frustration.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)PJ
Patrick J
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
12 Feb 2026, 09:07
Polmed’s “Hidden Rules” Cost Me R1,000
After 23 years with Polmed, I expected reliability, not surprises. In July 2025, my GP referred me to a urologist for a necessary medical procedure. All authorizations were obtained, including hospitalization—everything by the book. Fast forward to my follow-up on 4 February 2026: my urologist informed me Polmed had an issue with the claim. Apparently, authorization needs to be renewed every year—or every six months, depending on who’s reading the fine print that apparently only Polmed gets to see. Funny, I never received a heads-up about this “policy,” and I doubt they’ll start any awareness campaigns soon. The outcome? A R1,000 co-payment for a procedure that should have been fully covered. After more than two decades with them, it’s clear their standards have slipped, and transparency is optional. Polmed, here’s a thought: maybe tell your members about these hidden rules before billing them unexpectedly. It might just save someone a surprise bill—and a lot of frustration.
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Replies (0)NB
Nokuzola B
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
29 Jan 2026, 10:48
PAINFUL EXPERIENCE BY THE SCHEME
I am having an issue with the referral that I have recieved from the doctor as I had a painful ankle and then I was told that Polmed does not cover sonor X-ray for Aquarium members. I find it very strange because I used to have access to these services.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)NB
Nokuzola B
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
29 Jan 2026, 10:48
PAINFUL EXPERIENCE BY THE SCHEME
I am having an issue with the referral that I have recieved from the doctor as I had a painful ankle and then I was told that Polmed does not cover sonor X-ray for Aquarium members. I find it very strange because I used to have access to these services.
0
Replies (0)T
Tshililo
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
24 Jan 2026, 13:39
I was admitted at Mo...
I was admitted at Morningside mediclinic several times Polmed was covering all costs but things started to change in May 2025 where I ended up doing brain surgery and they are not covering my costs in full whereas I'm on PMB
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)T
Tshililo
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
24 Jan 2026, 13:39
I was admitted at Mo...
I was admitted at Morningside mediclinic several times Polmed was covering all costs but things started to change in May 2025 where I ended up doing brain surgery and they are not covering my costs in full whereas I'm on PMB
0
Replies (0)AV
Arthur-Jay Valentyn
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
15 Jan 2026, 08:26
Dissapointed
I am highly dissapointed in the service i received from polmed , firstly they inform me that they’ll terminate my mother from my medical aid , secondly they instruct me on what documents i must send them and i did , i haven’t received feedback in weeks and all i receive from them when i ask for it is query numbers , im highly dissapointed as im the one paying the medical aid , so the person working with the emails should do their job more efficiently and improve client service it’s almost end of the month and they haven’t informed me on the way forward regarding the matter and myself as the client must beg for feedback regarding the matter but instead i only get query numbers.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)AV
Arthur-Jay Valentyn
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
15 Jan 2026, 08:26
Dissapointed
I am highly dissapointed in the service i received from polmed , firstly they inform me that they’ll terminate my mother from my medical aid , secondly they instruct me on what documents i must send them and i did , i haven’t received feedback in weeks and all i receive from them when i ask for it is query numbers , im highly dissapointed as im the one paying the medical aid , so the person working with the emails should do their job more efficiently and improve client service it’s almost end of the month and they haven’t informed me on the way forward regarding the matter and myself as the client must beg for feedback regarding the matter but instead i only get query numbers.
0
Replies (0)