Woman takes hospital, medical scheme to court over alleged incorrect billing

A DURBAN woman who claimed “critical illness cover for ICU benefits” of more than R2.9 million, approached the high court for relief after it was rejected allegedly due to incorrect hospital billing.

- NADIA KHAN

Veronica Rathilal, who was represented by attorney Mohamed Altaaf Raoof, brought an urgent application against Government Employees Medical Scheme (Gems) and Life Westville Hospital in the Durban High Court last week.

In her founding affidavit, she said an order was sought to rectify the alleged incorrect billing submitted by the private hospital to Gems on May §, 2025.

Rathilal said the billing stated that she was admitted to the high care ward from April 5 to 15. She said the hospital thereafter billed Gems the high-care ward rates, which the medical scheme settled unaware that it was incorrect.

“I was never admitted to the high care ward, nor was | a high care patient.”