I am member of GEMS and because government does not subsidise other medical aids unless you are an existing client of another scheme. I am visually impaired in that I need to wear either spectacles or contact lenses for my short sightedness. GEMS usually operates on a two year cycle. To my knowledge my cycle for optical benefits started on Jan 2011 and was supposed to end december 2012. I received a statement that my available benefits for the following cycle is R1760 (2013/14). I called numerous times and was told different stories by call centre agents, some saying I had benefits, others saying I didnt have. The last consultant alluded to me that in case of the following scenario this is what happens. If I had R2000 benefits @ 01 Jan 12 and used R800 of that on the same day, and then used a further R400 on 30 June 12 and then again used the last R800 on 31 Dec 12 them my two year cycle would start being calculated as at end of Dec 12 meaning I would only be eligible for new benefits on 31 Dec 14. I find this extremely disturbing as according to me my benefits should start as at 01 Jan 12 meaning the beginning of my new cycle should be 01 Jan 14 as and when the funds were availed
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