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Medshield
Verified Business
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Rated in:
Scores reflect the Overall AI Score for each category
Scores reflect the Overall AI Score for each category
Based on recent customer reviews, Medshield members report widespread frustration across claims, communication, and coverage decisions. Members describe lengthy authorisation delays, denied procedures despite specialist motivations, and difficulty reaching accountable staff. While a small number of members praise specific agents and smooth hospital admissions, the overwhelming sentiment points to systemic service failures, unresolved refunds, and a perceived focus on cost containment over patient care.
TrustIndex
2.6
Ranking
#18
in Medical Aid
NPS Score
-76
Recommended: Unlikely
Jul '25 - Jun '26
Based on recent customer reviews, Medshield members report widespread frustration across claims, communication, and coverage decisions. Members describe lengthy authorisation delays, denied procedures despite specialist motivations, and difficulty reaching accountable staff. While a small number of members praise specific agents and smooth hospital admissions, the overwhelming sentiment points to systemic service failures, unresolved refunds, and a perceived focus on cost containment over patient care.
The most common complaint about Medshield, based on Hellopeter's AI analysis of recent customer reviews, is Claims Processing & Authorisation. Members report repeated declines of urgent procedures, including cancer-related surgery, orthopaedic operations, and emergency admissions. Pre-authorisations are delayed for weeks, motivations from specialists are overridden, and PMB conditions are disputed. Claims Processing & Authorisation (1.9) reflects deep dissatisfaction with how authorisation outcomes are decided and communicated.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Honestly having the worst experience with this medical aid. Its been 3 months trying to get chronic medication on PMB, submitted everything as required, did the blood tests but I still havnt been approved
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Honestly having the worst experience with this medical aid. Its been 3 months trying to get chronic medication on PMB, submitted everything as required, did the blood tests but I still havnt been approved
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
If I could give them 0 stars I would. Never have I experienced anything like this from a medical aid before. My wife is 30 weeks pregnant, and her appendix burst. We requested approval for emergency surgery from Medshield and what they said was "it's Friday afternoon and without blood test and a sonar we cannot give you approval. Its late and once all these test are done we will be closed until Monday" My response was "she won't be alive by Monday if we don't do the surgery quickly" and they simply did not care and told us to go home or pay it ourselves. We ended up paying the money out of pocket and the surgery happened shortly after. A few weeks later Medshield eventually approved the surgery as it was a life or death situation, again.. did not bother them on that day of the appendix burst. The approval does not mean anything because we still have not received any refund. R59 000. The surgery happened in February 2026. And whenever we phone to ask about the refund, they are so rude to us, or they say a payment has already been made, which is not true. If you want to get a medical aid where people actually care about your wellbeing, go elsewhere.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
If I could give them 0 stars I would. Never have I experienced anything like this from a medical aid before. My wife is 30 weeks pregnant, and her appendix burst. We requested approval for emergency surgery from Medshield and what they said was "it's Friday afternoon and without blood test and a sonar we cannot give you approval. Its late and once all these test are done we will be closed until Monday" My response was "she won't be alive by Monday if we don't do the surgery quickly" and they simply did not care and told us to go home or pay it ourselves. We ended up paying the money out of pocket and the surgery happened shortly after. A few weeks later Medshield eventually approved the surgery as it was a life or death situation, again.. did not bother them on that day of the appendix burst. The approval does not mean anything because we still have not received any refund. R59 000. The surgery happened in February 2026. And whenever we phone to ask about the refund, they are so rude to us, or they say a payment has already been made, which is not true. If you want to get a medical aid where people actually care about your wellbeing, go elsewhere.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
These people are refusing to give me a authorization for a procedure that needs to be done on Monday 25th /05 claiming I'm new on the scheme how come when I come from another scheme and have been on med aid consecutively for over five yrs besides I asked when I joined if there are any joiner penalties and waiting periods that will be imposed the answer was yes. Since I was diagnosed on the 28th they just refuse to pay for pathology & consultations constantly giving my doctor a run around. In January I was denied doing a memmogram a simple preventative test, now thy are refusing to pay for my tests and consultations.What kind of a white collar **** are they actually running??
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
These people are refusing to give me a authorization for a procedure that needs to be done on Monday 25th /05 claiming I'm new on the scheme how come when I come from another scheme and have been on med aid consecutively for over five yrs besides I asked when I joined if there are any joiner penalties and waiting periods that will be imposed the answer was yes. Since I was diagnosed on the 28th they just refuse to pay for pathology & consultations constantly giving my doctor a run around. In January I was denied doing a memmogram a simple preventative test, now thy are refusing to pay for my tests and consultations.What kind of a white collar **** are they actually running??
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Good day, It has been over three weeks of ongoing back-and-forth with the medical aid in an attempt to secure authorisation for an appliance. During my initial call, I was advised to submit a motivational letter and a quotation, and I was informed that I have approximately R20K available annually for appliances. The first quotation I submitted was around R1,600, but I was told the medical aid would only cover about R900. I then indicated that I was not willing to pay the difference and was asked to obtain a more affordable quote. I proceeded to submit a second quotation for just under R600, which was approved via email. However, when I went to Dis-Chem, I was informed that Medshield had not issued the authorisation on their system and that I needed to follow up. Upon contacting Medshield, I was told that the pharmacy had processed the claim before authorisation was granted, and that a reversal needed to be completed, which would take 3–5 days. Yesterday, I received another email confirming that the machine had been approved. I returned to Dis-Chem, only to be told once again that authorisation was still not in place. I am extremely frustrated with this prolonged process, as it has now been three weeks of trying to resolve the matter. References: 130526QL7ZJT 150526QLBX6V 080526QL0KG2 060526QKXLLY 170526QLF1RM 290426QJJR3D 050526QKV5FZ Kindly urgently assist in this regard.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Good day, It has been over three weeks of ongoing back-and-forth with the medical aid in an attempt to secure authorisation for an appliance. During my initial call, I was advised to submit a motivational letter and a quotation, and I was informed that I have approximately R20K available annually for appliances. The first quotation I submitted was around R1,600, but I was told the medical aid would only cover about R900. I then indicated that I was not willing to pay the difference and was asked to obtain a more affordable quote. I proceeded to submit a second quotation for just under R600, which was approved via email. However, when I went to Dis-Chem, I was informed that Medshield had not issued the authorisation on their system and that I needed to follow up. Upon contacting Medshield, I was told that the pharmacy had processed the claim before authorisation was granted, and that a reversal needed to be completed, which would take 3–5 days. Yesterday, I received another email confirming that the machine had been approved. I returned to Dis-Chem, only to be told once again that authorisation was still not in place. I am extremely frustrated with this prolonged process, as it has now been three weeks of trying to resolve the matter. References: 130526QL7ZJT 150526QLBX6V 080526QL0KG2 060526QKXLLY 170526QLF1RM 290426QJJR3D 050526QKV5FZ Kindly urgently assist in this regard.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I have terminated my medical aid with effective from the 31 May 2026. My baby was born on the 4 May 2026. The medical aid refuse to add my child on the medical aid. As per rule a baby should be added effective from the date of birth, which is the 4 May and my medical aid only ends the 31 May 2026!!! i need answers as soon as possible please. This is really a bad medical aid I would not recommend anyone to join. And I will be sharing my views on social media!!!
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I have terminated my medical aid with effective from the 31 May 2026. My baby was born on the 4 May 2026. The medical aid refuse to add my child on the medical aid. As per rule a baby should be added effective from the date of birth, which is the 4 May and my medical aid only ends the 31 May 2026!!! i need answers as soon as possible please. This is really a bad medical aid I would not recommend anyone to join. And I will be sharing my views on social media!!!
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Medshield, be careful i joined them the 1 March 2026. My son got sick the 3rd of March and just hasnt gotten better. From sore throught to Swollen tonsils and 5 sets of abtibotics and cortizone for a month, even as we speak hasnt eaten in 10days. We ended up at pediatrician that then send to an ENT specialist that confirmed we have to do an tonsilectimy and andeloids need to be removed. Week 2 of struggling to get an authirisation. Last week they said they had all the paperwork PMA form and motivation letters then on thursday last week had to fisically go into their offices in port elizabeth just to hear only then they have the correct docs. My son is deteriating and urgently need this operation as he isnt eating and bringing his iron levels down and struggling to eat. Yet there is no urgency even the referal letter says its an emergency. Very dissapointed and before 1 march 2026 been a long term client for many years. (Had bit of financial dip so had to leave previously) but definately cancelling my membership due to this bad service soon!!
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Medshield, be careful i joined them the 1 March 2026. My son got sick the 3rd of March and just hasnt gotten better. From sore throught to Swollen tonsils and 5 sets of abtibotics and cortizone for a month, even as we speak hasnt eaten in 10days. We ended up at pediatrician that then send to an ENT specialist that confirmed we have to do an tonsilectimy and andeloids need to be removed. Week 2 of struggling to get an authirisation. Last week they said they had all the paperwork PMA form and motivation letters then on thursday last week had to fisically go into their offices in port elizabeth just to hear only then they have the correct docs. My son is deteriating and urgently need this operation as he isnt eating and bringing his iron levels down and struggling to eat. Yet there is no urgency even the referal letter says its an emergency. Very dissapointed and before 1 march 2026 been a long term client for many years. (Had bit of financial dip so had to leave previously) but definately cancelling my membership due to this bad service soon!!
Medshield scores 1 out of 5 on Hellopeter's AI analysis of service quality in Medical Aid, compared to the Medical Aid industry average of 1.8. Their strongest theme is Customer Service (1.1); their weakest is Communication (0.9). The top AI-rated Medical Aid business on Hellopeter is AGS Health (4.3). How is the AI Score calculated? →
Medshield has a TrustIndex of 2.6 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 132 reviews in the last 12 months. Hellopeter has tracked Medshield across 1,360 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →