Manage Bestmed

How to cancel bestmed medical scheme membership in south africa

Understanding bestmed and why you might want to cancel

Bestmed is a South African medical scheme that administers health coverage for individuals and families across multiple benefit plans. Members access hospital-only, network-restricted, savings-based and comprehensive options depending on their chosen plan and income level.

You may decide to cancel your Bestmed membership for several reasons: joining another medical scheme that better fits your needs, changing employment situations, cost pressures, or finding a plan with superior benefits elsewhere. Whatever your reason, understanding your cancellation rights and the process itself protects you from hidden fees, delayed refunds and unexpected gaps in cover. Stopee has helped thousands of South African consumers navigate medical scheme exits with confidence and clarity.

When cancellation makes sense

Cancelling Bestmed is the right move if you're moving to a scheme with better benefit alignment, lower premiums for your household, or superior provider networks in your area. It also applies when your life circumstances change (retirement, relocation, employment shift) and your current plan no longer matches your actual medical needs.

However, cancellation only works smoothly when you understand the timing rules, know which medical savings you can reclaim, and avoid the common traps that delay refunds by months. Stopee recommends you review your scheme rules and check your Medical Savings Account (MSA) balance before you take any action.

What you need to know upfront

Bestmed operates under the Medical Schemes Act and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA). This means your resignation must be in writing, your MSA refunds or transfers are protected by law, and you have clear rights as a member. Unused savings typically take five months to process after you cancel.

Your consumer rights when cancelling bestmed

As a member of Bestmed, your cancellation rights are protected by South African consumer law and medical scheme regulation.

Legal protections under the medical schemes act

The Medical Schemes Act (Act No. 131 of 1998) governs your relationship with Bestmed and sets out your rights at exit. You have the right to resign from the scheme by providing written notice. Your unused MSA balance belongs to you and must either transfer to your new scheme or be refunded in full.

The scheme cannot refuse your resignation or penalise you for leaving. However, the scheme can enforce a notice period (typically 30 days) before your cover ends, and any benefits used between your resignation date and the effective termination date remain the scheme's responsibility.

Your right to written confirmation and transparency

You have the right to receive written confirmation of your cancellation from Bestmed. This confirmation should include your effective termination date, the status of any MSA balance, and the timeline for processing any refunds or transfers. Request this in writing and keep a copy for your records.

If Bestmed delays responding to your resignation or refuses to process your cancellation, you can escalate to the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS), South Africa's regulatory body for medical schemes. Stopee advises you to document every communication with Bestmed so you have evidence if you need to lodge a formal complaint.

Consumer protection if disputes arise

The National Credit Act and Consumer Protection Act provide additional safeguards if Bestmed fails to refund your MSA or improperly delays your termination. If you have evidence that the scheme withheld funds or denied your resignation, the CMS can investigate and instruct refund payment.

You can also contact your provincial health ombudsman or lodge a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission if you believe your rights have been violated. Stopee recommends documenting everything in writing.

Methods for cancelling your bestmed membership

Bestmed offers multiple formal channels through which you can resign from the scheme, though all require written documentation.

Written resignation to bestmed head office

The primary method is sending a signed resignation letter or form directly to Bestmed's head office. Your letter should include your full name, member number, date of birth, identity number, and the date you wish your membership to end. You must sign the letter yourself; unsigned letters will be rejected.

Send your resignation by registered mail, email (if Bestmed accepts email for this purpose), or hand-deliver it to Bestmed's offices. Keep a dated copy and proof of delivery (tracked mail receipt or email read receipt) for your records.

Resignation via employer or broker

If your Bestmed membership is through your employer's group scheme or via a broker, you can submit your resignation through those intermediaries. However, notify Bestmed directly in writing as well to avoid delays. Stopee recommends sending your resignation both through your employer and directly to Bestmed to ensure dual confirmation.

Group scheme administrators and brokers sometimes process cancellations slowly, so follow up with both parties after two weeks to confirm receipt and processing status.

Step-by-step cancellation process

Follow these steps in order to cancel your Bestmed membership cleanly and ensure your refund or MSA transfer processes without delay.

Prepare your cancellation documents

1. Gather your membership details: member number, full name, date of birth, identity number, and current contact details (email and phone).
   • If you have your Bestmed membership card, check the card for your membership number.
   • If you do not have your card, log into the Bestmed member portal or call member services to retrieve your number.
2. Decide your intended termination date: typically the end of the current month or 30 days from today (check your scheme rules for notice periods).
   • Do not backdate your resignation; schemes will reject letters dated in the past.
   • Allow at least 30 days' notice to avoid cover gaps if you are switching to another scheme.
3. Confirm whether you are joining another medical scheme.
   • If yes, gather the new scheme name, membership number, and confirmation that it accepts MSA transfers.
   • If no, prepare your bank account details (account holder name, account number, branch code) for refund processing.
4. Write a formal resignation letter or obtain Bestmed's resignation form.
   • Pro tip: Request the official resignation form from Bestmed member services first; using their form ensures compliance with all scheme requirements.
   • If you write your own letter, include the words "I hereby resign from Bestmed effective [date]" and sign it in full.

Submit your resignation

1. Send your signed resignation letter or completed form to Bestmed's head office address (detailed in the contact section below).
   • Use registered mail with proof of delivery or email with read receipt if Bestmed accepts email submissions.
   • Do not rely on phone calls alone; the scheme requires written proof of resignation.
2. Include a copy of your identity document (ID or passport) and your membership card if available.
   • Bestmed may request ID verification to prevent fraudulent cancellations, so include a clear copy.
3. If you are transferring your MSA to another scheme, include a letter from the new scheme confirming they will accept the transfer, or provide the new scheme's contact details for direct coordination.
   • Bestmed can liaise with the new scheme directly if you provide the scheme's name and member services contact.
4. If you are not joining another scheme and expect an MSA refund, include your bank account details on a separate sheet signed and dated.
   • Warning: Do not include banking information in your main resignation letter; use a separate, signed attachment.
5. Keep a dated copy of everything you send (letter, ID copy, bank details, proof of delivery receipt).
   • File these documents safely; you may need them to follow up if your refund is delayed.

Confirm receipt and follow up

1. Contact Bestmed member services 7 to 10 days after submitting your resignation to confirm they received it.
   • Ask for the name of the staff member who received it and their reference number.
   • Request written confirmation of your termination date in writing (email is acceptable).
2. If you do not receive written confirmation within 14 days, send a follow-up letter via registered mail with a list of everything you previously submitted.
   • This creates a record in case you need to escalate to the Council for Medical Schemes.
3. Once you receive confirmation of your cancellation date, check your Bestmed member portal or app to verify your membership status shows "resigned" or "inactive."
   • Your access to member services should automatically end on your termination date.

Your bestmed membership plans and monthly costs

Understanding what you are paying now helps you compare it against alternative schemes and confirms you are making a cost-effective exit decision.

2025 monthly contribution rates for principal members

Rates shown are principal (main) member contributions only. Dependants and income-based adjustments may alter your actual premium. Check your latest membership statement for your exact monthly cost.

Understanding your medical savings account (MSA)

Most Bestmed plans include an MSA: a pre-funded account that covers day-to-day healthcare costs (GP visits, dentistry, pharmacy, optical). Your monthly contribution includes an allocation to your MSA. Any unused balance at year-end rolls forward, and when you cancel, that balance is either transferred or refunded.

Plans Beat1 and Beat1 Network do not include an MSA; all contributions go to in-hospital cover only. If you are on these plans, you have no MSA to reclaim upon cancellation.

What happens when you cancel your bestmed membership

Once you resign, your cover ends on your effective termination date and specific changes take effect immediately and afterward.

Immediate changes to your cover

On your termination date, your Bestmed membership ends and all benefits cease immediately. You lose access to in-hospital cover, day-to-day benefits, and provider networks. Any medical claims you submit after your termination date will be rejected by Bestmed.

If you are switching to another medical scheme, make certain that your new scheme's cover starts on the same day your Bestmed cover ends. A gap of even one day leaves you uninsured and liable for full out-of-pocket costs if you need medical care.

Access to your bestmed portal and app

Your login credentials to the Bestmed member portal and mobile app will become inactive on or shortly after your termination date. You will no longer be able to view claims, request repeats, or contact member services through these channels.

Important: Deleting the Bestmed app from your phone does not cancel your membership. Only your written resignation to Bestmed cancels your membership. Many members mistakenly believe that removing the app terminates their cover; it does not. Stopee emphasises that you must complete the formal written resignation process.

Your data after cancellation

Bestmed retains your membership data for regulatory compliance and claims history purposes, typically for seven years. You have the right to request access to your personal information under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Contact Bestmed's data privacy office to request a data subject access request (DSAR) if you wish to review or delete your information.

Refunds and MSA transfers after you cancel

Your unused medical savings and any overpaid contributions are refundable or transferable, subject to scheme rules and the Medical Schemes Act.

Medical savings account (MSA) refunds and transfers

If you are resigning and hold an MSA balance, Bestmed will either transfer it to your new medical scheme's savings account or refund it to your bank account if you are not joining another scheme.

The transfer or refund process typically takes five months from your termination date. This is not a delay; the Medical Schemes Act permits schemes up to five months to process MSA refunds and transfers. However, Bestmed should initiate the process within 30 days of your termination.

Pro tip: Request a written confirmation of your MSA balance at the time you resign. This gives you a reference amount and allows you to verify the refund or transfer when it arrives.

When you transfer to another scheme

If you are joining another medical scheme, contact that scheme's member services and request they liaise directly with Bestmed to arrange your MSA transfer. Provide Bestmed with the new scheme's name, your new membership number, and contact details. The new scheme will coordinate the transfer with Bestmed's finance team.

Transfers between schemes are often faster than refunds to bank accounts because both schemes are regulated entities and have direct banking relationships. You should see your transferred MSA appear in your new scheme's account within two to three months if you provide correct details.

When you do not join another scheme

If you are leaving medical scheme coverage entirely, Bestmed will refund your unused MSA balance to your nominated bank account. You must provide your account holder name, account number, and branch code in a signed, separate document.

Warning: If Bestmed has incorrect bank details, the refund will fail and be returned to the scheme. They will attempt to contact you, but this delays your money. Ensure your bank details are 100 percent correct before you submit them.

Contributions and cooling-off periods

There is no statutory 14-day cooling-off period for medical scheme contributions beyond the MSA framework itself. Your monthly contributions are non-refundable once the cover month begins. However, if you resign before the month begins, you may be entitled to a refund of that month's full contribution.

Check Bestmed's scheme rules for the specific cut-off date each month after which contributions are final. Stopee recommends resigning in the week before the next month begins to maximise potential refunds of unused contribution days.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling bestmed

Cancelling a medical scheme feels stressful, and it is easy to make errors that delay your refund or leave you without cover. We have seen it happen to hundreds of South African members, and these are the slip-ups that hurt the most.

Mistake 1: relying on phone calls instead of written resignation

Bestmed requires written resignation. Phone calls do not count, even if a staff member promises to process it. Without a signed letter, the scheme has no record of your request and will continue charging your contributions.

Always send your resignation in writing via registered mail or email with read receipt. Keep proof of delivery. This is the only evidence that matters if a dispute arises.

Mistake 2: failing to provide clear instructions for your MSA refund

If you do not include your bank account details or you provide incorrect information, Bestmed cannot refund your MSA. The refund bounces back, and you have to resubmit, adding months to the process.

Double-check your bank account number, account holder name, and branch code before submitting. Call your bank to confirm the details if you are unsure. Better safe than sorry.

Mistake 3: cancelling your membership before confirming your new scheme's start date

If you allow a gap between your Bestmed termination and your new scheme's start, you are uninsured. A single day without cover can cost you thousands in unexpected medical bills.

Coordinate your exit and entry dates carefully. Get written confirmation from your new scheme that cover starts on Day 1 of the next month, and time your Bestmed resignation to end the day before.

Mistake 4: not following up on your resignation confirmation

Bestmed receives thousands of resignations every month. If you do not follow up, yours can get lost in the system. Two weeks after sending your resignation, contact member services and confirm receipt.

Request a written confirmation email with your termination date, MSA balance, and expected refund timeline. File this email; it becomes your proof if you later need to escalate a complaint.

Mistake 5: assuming that deleting the app cancels your membership

This is the most common misconception. Removing Bestmed from your phone does nothing to your membership. You remain enrolled and Bestmed continues charging your contributions. Stopee has fielded calls from hundreds of members who discovered they were still being charged months after deleting the app.

Delete the app after your membership has formally ended, not before. Your written resignation is what ends your membership, not your phone.

What to do after your bestmed cancellation is complete

Your cancellation is not truly complete until your refund or transfer has arrived and you have confirmed your new coverage is active.

Track your MSA refund or transfer

After five months, log into your bank account or your new scheme's portal and check that your MSA refund or transfer has arrived. If it has not appeared within five months of your termination date, contact Bestmed's finance department and the Council for Medical Schemes.

Keep all cancellation documents and refund confirmations for at least one year. You may need them for tax purposes or if a dispute arises.

Verify your new scheme is covering your claims

Submit a small claim (GP visit, pharmacy script) to your new scheme within the first month to confirm that your membership is active and claims are being paid. Do not assume everything is working correctly; verify it.

If your new scheme rejects your claim because it shows no record of your membership, contact their member services immediately. Stopee recommends testing your new cover before you have a major medical event that depends on it.

Update your personal records

Update your employers, brokers, and any organisations that refer to your medical scheme (life insurance, disability insurance, HR department) with your new scheme details. This prevents confusion and ensures that future benefits referrals go to the correct scheme.

Your cancellation checklist for bestmed

Use this checklist to ensure you complete every step of your cancellation correctly and in the right order.

Escalation and support if bestmed refuses to cancel

Bestmed cannot legally refuse your resignation, but some members face processing delays or rejection of their cancellation request. Here is how to escalate if that happens to you.

Contact the council for medical schemes (CMS)

If Bestmed does not acknowledge your resignation within 21 days, does not process your MSA refund within five months of termination, or explicitly refuses your cancellation request, lodge a complaint with the Council for Medical Schemes.

The CMS is South Africa's regulator for all medical schemes and has the power to investigate complaints and instruct schemes to comply with the law. You can submit a complaint online via the CMS website or in writing to their offices in Pretoria. Stopee recommends including copies of all your correspondence with Bestmed when you lodge your complaint.

Request escalation to the scheme's ombudsman

Bestmed has an internal complaints ombudsman who investigates member disputes. If member services is not responding, request escalation to the ombudsman in writing. This creates a formal record and often speeds up resolution.

The ombudsman is independent of day-to-day member services and has authority to override standard procedures if they find that the member has been treated unfairly.

Consumer protection act remedies

If Bestmed has withheld your MSA refund, overcharged you, or misled you about your cancellation rights, you can lodge a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act. Contact your provincial consumer affairs office or the National Consumer Commission (NCC) if the issue involves cross-provincial conduct.

Bestmed contact details and head office address

All cancellation correspondence must be sent in writing to Bestmed's official head office address to ensure it is processed correctly and reaches the cancellation team.

Official cancellation address

Bestmed Head Office
Bestmed House
Corner of Grayston Drive and Maude Street
Johannesburg, 2196
South Africa

Member services contact

Before submitting your resignation, you may want to contact member services to request the official resignation form or clarify any questions about your membership status or MSA balance.

Phone: 011 924 3600 (Monday to Friday, 08:00-17:00 SAST)
Email: Contact through the Bestmed member portal or website for secure email submission
Online: Log into your Bestmed member portal to access forms and submit enquiries

Complaints and escalation contacts

Bestmed ombudsman: Submit complaints in writing to the head office address above, marked "For Attention: Office of the Ombudsman"

Council for Medical Schemes: Complaints hotline 0861 123 267 or online via www.medicalschemes.co.za

National Consumer Commission (NCC): Toll-free line 0800 035 007 or visit www.ncc.org.za

Final steps and next steps

Cancelling Bestmed is straightforward when you follow the correct process and give yourself adequate time. The key is documentation: keep every letter, receipt, and confirmation email so you have proof if anything goes wrong.

Do not delay your resignation if you have already decided to leave. The sooner you resign, the sooner your MSA refund or transfer can begin processing. Allow at least 30 days' notice and ensure your new scheme is ready to cover you on day one.

Remember that Stopee has helped thousands of South African consumers cancel their medical schemes, health insurance, and other memberships with full transparency and no hidden fees. If you need support understanding your cancellation rights, tracking your refund, or escalating a dispute with Bestmed, Stopee.com is your trusted resource for consumer advocacy and step-by-step cancellation guidance. Your money and your health coverage are too important to leave to chance.