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Cancel Bestmed: The Right Way
Learn how to cancel your Bestmed membership with ease. Get expert insights and a 4.8/5 rating. Start your cancellation process today!
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How to cancel your Bestmed membership and reclaim your medical savings
Understanding Bestmed and why cancellation matters to you
Bestmed is a South African medical scheme that provides health coverage to individuals and families across multiple benefit options, from hospital-only plans to comprehensive coverage with savings accounts. Your membership gives you access to a network of healthcare providers and protects your medical savings in a dedicated account (MSA) held in your name.
You may decide to cancel your Bestmed membership for genuine reasons: switching to a scheme with better benefits for your family, reducing monthly premiums during financial pressure, relocating to an area with limited provider networks, or changing employment circumstances. Whatever your situation, understanding your legal rights and the cancellation process protects you from hidden fees, delayed refunds and gaps in your healthcare cover. Tocancel has helped thousands of South African consumers navigate medical scheme exits with confidence and clarity.
When cancellation makes sense for your situation
Cancelling Bestmed is the right decision if you have found a scheme with superior benefit alignment, lower monthly contributions that fit your budget, or a wider provider network in your location. Cancellation also applies when your life changes significantly (retirement, job loss, relocation, family circumstances) and your current plan no longer matches your actual medical needs.
However, smooth cancellation depends on understanding the notice periods, knowing your MSA balance, recognising scheme rules about transfers, and avoiding the common delays that extend refund processing by months. Your first step is to review your membership documents and confirm your exact MSA balance before you submit any resignation notice to Bestmed.
Key facts you need before you act
Bestmed operates under the Medical Schemes Act (Act No. 131 of 1998) and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA). This means your cancellation must be in writing, your MSA refunds are legally protected, and you have enforceable rights as a departing member. Unused medical savings typically take five months to process after your cover terminates, though this timeline can vary depending on scheme administration and whether you transfer funds to a new scheme.
Your consumer rights when cancelling Bestmed
South African law protects your cancellation rights and ensures the scheme cannot trap you or withhold your money.
Legal protections under the medical schemes act
The Medical Schemes Act gives you the absolute right to resign from Bestmed at any time by providing written notice. The scheme cannot refuse your resignation, penalise you for leaving, or impose hidden costs for your exit. Your unused MSA balance belongs entirely to you and must either transfer to your new scheme or be refunded in full within the scheme's published timelines.
Your legal position is straightforward: you own your medical savings, and the scheme is the custodian. Once you resign, Bestmed must process your request and cannot delay or obstruct your departure. The scheme can enforce a notice period (typically 30 days from receipt of your written resignation) before your cover ends, but nothing more.
Your right to written confirmation and full transparency
You have the legal right to receive written confirmation from Bestmed acknowledging your resignation. This confirmation must include your effective termination date, the exact status of your MSA balance (including any deductions for outstanding claims), and the specific timeline for processing refunds or transfers. Keep copies of all correspondence for your records.
If Bestmed delays responding to your resignation or refuses to provide written confirmation, escalate immediately to the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS), South Africa's regulatory body. Tocancel recommends you document every phone call, email and letter you send to Bestmed so you have evidence if you need to lodge a formal complaint with the CMS.
Protection if Bestmed refuses or delays your cancellation
The Medical Schemes Act and Consumer Protection Act (Act No. 68 of 2008) provide enforcement teeth if Bestmed improperly withholds your MSA, delays your termination without legal cause, or fails to acknowledge your resignation. The CMS has power to investigate complaints and order the scheme to pay refunds plus interest if you suffered financial loss through delay.
You can also lodge a complaint with your provincial health ombudsman or contact the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) if you believe Bestmed has breached your consumer rights. These regulators take medical scheme complaints seriously and can compel refund payment if evidence supports your claim.
Cancellation methods and your step-by-step process
Bestmed requires your resignation in writing, and you have several compliant methods to submit it.
The formal written cancellation process
Bestmed's terms and conditions require you to submit your resignation in writing to their official head office. Follow these steps to ensure your cancellation is processed without delay:
- Confirm your current MSA balance by logging into the Bestmed member portal or calling member services on 0861 100 100 (confirm current number with scheme)
- Write down the exact balance so you can verify it matches the scheme's records after cancellation
- Check whether you have any outstanding claims pending or co-payments owed
- Prepare your written resignation letter (email or hard copy)
- Include your full name, membership number, date of birth and policy number
- State clearly: "I hereby resign my membership effective [your chosen date, minimum 30 days from today]"
- Request written confirmation of cancellation and the MSA refund timeline
- Keep a copy for your records
- Submit your resignation to Bestmed's official postal address (see address details at the end of this guide)
- Use registered mail (Postnet or postal service tracking) so you have proof of delivery
- Alternatively, email your resignation to the member services email address and request a read receipt confirmation
- Make a note of the submission date and method
- Allow 30 days from Bestmed's receipt of your written resignation
- Your cover will terminate on the date specified in your resignation letter
- Any medical services used after your termination date remain your financial responsibility
- Request written confirmation of your cancellation within 10 working days
- Contact Bestmed if you have not received written acknowledgment
- Escalate to the CMS if the scheme ignores your request
- Track your MSA refund or transfer
- If transferring to a new scheme, provide Bestmed with the new scheme's banking details and your new membership number
- If requesting a direct refund, provide your banking details clearly
- Expect processing within five months of your termination date
Ensuring your cancellation is watertight
The most common mistake is submitting your resignation verbally or via informal channels. Bestmed's terms and conditions specifically require written notice, which protects both you and the scheme by creating a clear audit trail. Always use registered post, email with read receipt, or hand-deliver to the head office so you have proof that Bestmed received your resignation on a specific date. This matters because your 30-day notice period starts from receipt, not submission.
Tocancel advises you to keep every piece of correspondence with Bestmed: the resignation letter, the delivery confirmation, any acknowledgment email from the scheme, and your final MSA refund statement. These documents are essential if you need to dispute the amount refunded or lodge a complaint with the CMS.
Understanding your medical savings account (MSA) and refunds
Your MSA is a ring-fenced savings account held by Bestmed on your behalf, and you have legal rights over this money.
How your MSA balance is calculated at cancellation
Your MSA balance at cancellation equals all contributions paid into your account, minus any medical expenses you claimed and any co-payments or deductibles still outstanding. Bestmed will deduct any unpaid claims or penalties from your final balance before processing your refund or transfer.
When you resign, you must receive a final statement showing your opening balance, all contributions during the membership period, all claims deducted, any administrative deductions, and your final refundable balance. If the scheme refuses to provide this statement or the deductions seem incorrect, request a detailed itemised breakdown and escalate to the CMS if Bestmed does not comply within 10 working days.
Timeline for MSA refund or transfer processing
Bestmed typically processes MSA refunds or transfers within five months of your cover termination date, though this is not a guaranteed deadline under the Medical Schemes Act. Some schemes process faster (6 to 8 weeks), while others take the full five months if they are processing multiple resignations. If you transfer to a new scheme rather than requesting a cash refund, your new scheme may receive the transfer earlier than if Bestmed processes a direct payment to your bank account.
Request your MSA refund or transfer in writing as part of your cancellation letter. Confirm the bank account or new scheme details and ask for regular updates if the processing extends beyond 12 weeks. If your refund is delayed beyond five months, contact the CMS and lodge a formal complaint requesting interest on the delayed payment.
| Refund scenario | Processing timeline | Your next step |
|---|---|---|
| MSA transfer to new scheme | 6 to 12 weeks (typically) | Provide new scheme banking details in writing to Bestmed |
| Direct bank refund to your account | 8 to 20 weeks (typically) | Provide bank account details and request written confirmation |
| Cheque payment (if scheme uses cheques) | 12 to 20 weeks | Request bank transfer instead; cheques carry risk of loss or theft |
| Refund delayed beyond 5 months | Escalate immediately | Lodge complaint with CMS; request interest on delayed funds |
Bestmed membership pricing and benefit comparison
Understanding Bestmed's membership costs helps you assess whether cancellation is financially justified.
Typical Bestmed membership contributions
Bestmed offers multiple benefit plans with varying contribution levels depending on your age, family composition, coverage level and the specific plan option. Contributions range from entry-level hospital-only plans to comprehensive options with generous MSA allocations. Your monthly contribution is deducted from your salary (if employed) or paid directly if self-employed or retired.
| Plan type | Typical monthly contribution (ZAR) | MSA allocation | Cover scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital-only (basic) | R800 to R1200 | Low or none | Hospital admission only |
| Network-restricted (standard) | R1400 to R2000 | Moderate | Network providers, limited out-of-network |
| Savings-based (recommended comparison) | R1800 to R2600 | Moderate to generous | Network-dependent; MSA covers general practitioner |
| Comprehensive (full cover) | R2800 to R4200 | Generous | Hospital, specialists, preventive care, out-of-network options |
Use this table to compare Bestmed's costs against competitor schemes before you cancel. If a new scheme offers similar benefits at a lower monthly cost, or higher benefits at the same cost, cancellation may deliver genuine savings for your household. Tocancel recommends you obtain written quotes from at least two alternative schemes before submitting your resignation to Bestmed.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling Bestmed
Cancelling a medical scheme feels stressful, especially if you are worried about gaps in cover or losing your MSA savings.
Mistake 1: submitting your resignation verbally or informally
Never resign over the phone or via informal WhatsApp or verbal notification to a Bestmed representative. The scheme's terms require written notice, and informal communication creates no legal record. Always submit your resignation in writing (email with read receipt, registered post, or hand-delivered with a signed receipt) so you have proof of the exact date Bestmed received it.
Mistake 2: failing to request written confirmation
After submitting your resignation, many members assume they are finished and do not follow up. This is a critical error. Always request written confirmation of your cancellation, including your termination date and MSA refund timeline. If Bestmed does not respond within 10 working days, chase them in writing. Without written confirmation, you have no proof of your resignation date if disputes arise later.
Mistake 3: not checking your MSA balance before cancelling
Review your MSA account before you resign so you know the exact amount you should receive as a refund or transfer. If Bestmed's final statement shows a lower balance than you expected, you can immediately query the deductions. Waiting until after cancellation and then disputing the refund amount makes the process slower and more difficult.
Mistake 4: cancelling without arranging replacement cover
Never resign from Bestmed without confirming that your new scheme's cover is active on the same date or earlier. If there is a gap between your Bestmed termination and your new scheme's start date, you have no medical cover during that period and must pay for any healthcare costs out of pocket. Tocancel advises you to overlap your cover by at least one week to avoid gaps.
Mistake 5: ignoring outstanding claims or co-payments
Before you resign, check whether you have any outstanding medical claims under assessment or co-payments owed to Bestmed. These will be deducted from your final MSA refund. If you are unsure, call member services and ask for a summary of all outstanding obligations. Do not cancel if you have significant unpaid amounts, as these reduce your refund.
What happens after your Bestmed cancellation
Your responsibilities continue after cover terminates, and understanding the timeline prevents later complications.
Your cover end date and final responsibilities
Your Bestmed cover terminates on the date you specified in your resignation letter (minimum 30 days from receipt). After this date, Bestmed is no longer responsible for any medical expenses you incur. If you have a planned medical procedure, ensure it is completed before your cover ends, or arrange for your new scheme to confirm cover before you proceed.
If you use medical services after your termination date and bill them to your Bestmed membership number, Bestmed will reject the claim and you will be liable for the full cost. This is a significant financial risk, so always confirm your new scheme is active before your Bestmed cover ends.
Tracking your MSA refund or transfer
After your cover terminates, Bestmed will process your MSA refund or transfer within the published timeline (typically 5 months). Keep your cancellation confirmation and final statement in a safe place. If you have not received your refund or transfer within 6 months, contact Bestmed in writing and request an immediate update. If the scheme does not respond within 10 working days, escalate to the CMS with copies of all correspondence.
Request monthly updates if your refund is delayed beyond three months. This demonstrates you are actively monitoring the process and creates a paper trail if you need to lodge a formal complaint.
Updating your medical records and tax affairs
Inform your general practitioner, any specialists you see regularly, and any pharmacists you use that you are changing medical schemes. Provide them with your new scheme name and membership number so they update their records and submit future claims correctly. If you claim any medical expenses as tax deductions (medical aid contributions or out-of-pocket costs), ensure your tax practitioner has the correct scheme change date for your annual tax return.
When to escalate to the council for medical schemes
If Bestmed refuses your resignation, delays your cancellation without legal cause, or withholds your MSA refund, you have formal escalation channels.
Signs that you need to lodge a formal complaint
Escalate to the CMS if Bestmed does not respond to your written resignation within 10 working days, refuses to provide written confirmation of your cancellation, delays your MSA refund beyond 6 months without explanation, deducts amounts from your final balance that you believe are incorrect, or otherwise breaches the Medical Schemes Act. The CMS has regulatory power to investigate your complaint and order the scheme to comply.
Before escalating, send Bestmed a formal letter (registered post or email with read receipt) stating your specific complaint and requesting a response within 10 working days. If the scheme does not respond satisfactorily, lodge your complaint with the CMS with copies of all correspondence. Tocancel recommends you keep the CMS contact details at hand: Council for Medical Schemes, Tel: 0861 123 267, Email: [email protected], or visit www.medicalschemes.com.
What the CMS can do for you
The CMS can investigate your complaint, request explanations from Bestmed, review the scheme's actions against the Medical Schemes Act, and order refunds or corrective action if the scheme is found to have breached your rights. The CMS complaint process is free and does not require you to hire a lawyer. However, it can take 8 to 12 weeks to resolve depending on complexity.
If you believe Bestmed has acted unlawfully or with deliberate intent to cause you financial loss, you can also consult an attorney about pursuing a civil claim for damages. Tocancel advises you to gather all evidence (emails, letters, bank statements, scheme documentation) before escalating to legal action.
Bestmed contact information and official head office address
Submit your written resignation to Bestmed's official head office to ensure your cancellation is processed correctly.
Official mailing and service address
Bestmed Medical Scheme, Head Office, Postnet Suite, Private Bag X68, Kliprivier 1640, South Africa.
Alternatively, contact Bestmed member services for the current registered address: Tel: 0861 100 100 (confirm this number with the scheme directly before submitting your resignation). For email submission, request the official cancellations email address from member services and ensure you receive a read receipt confirming delivery.
Supporting documents to include with your resignation
Include copies (not originals) of your membership card and a recent member statement showing your current MSA balance. This assists the scheme in processing your resignation quickly and reduces delays caused by incorrect member identification. Do not include originals of any documents, as you may need these for disputes later.
Final checklist before you cancel Bestmed
Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation proceeds smoothly and your MSA refund is processed correctly.
| Action | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm current MSA balance with Bestmed | [ ] Done | Note the exact amount and date you checked |
| Obtain written quotes from two alternative schemes | [ ] Done | Ensure new schemes have capacity and cover your needs |
| Confirm new scheme cover start date overlaps with Bestmed termination date | [ ] Done | Minimum 1-week overlap to avoid gaps |
| Check for outstanding claims or co-payments with Bestmed | [ ] Done | These will reduce your final refund |
| Prepare written resignation letter (include membership number, date of birth, policy number) | [ ] Done | State effective termination date (minimum 30 days from submission) |
| Submit resignation via registered post or email with read receipt | [ ] Done | Keep proof of delivery; note the exact submission date |
| Request written confirmation of cancellation from Bestmed within 10 working days | [ ] Done | Follow up in writing if no response |
| Monitor MSA refund or transfer progress (monthly updates if delayed beyond 12 weeks) | [ ] Done | Request explanation if refund is not received within 6 months |
| Escalate to CMS if Bestmed refuses cancellation or withholds refund | [ ] Not needed / [ ] Done | CMS Tel: 0861 123 267 |
Summary: take confident action to cancel Bestmed today
Cancelling your Bestmed membership is your legal right, and South African consumer law protects your money and your departure. You own your medical savings account, and the scheme cannot refuse your resignation or penalise you for leaving. The Medical Schemes Act and Consumer Protection Act give you clear rights: submit your resignation in writing, request written confirmation, monitor your MSA refund, and escalate to the Council for Medical Schemes if Bestmed does not comply.
Your next step is to confirm your exact MSA balance, obtain quotes from alternative schemes, and prepare your written resignation letter. Submit your resignation to Bestmed's head office via registered post or email with read receipt so you have proof of delivery. Allow 30 days from receipt for your cover to terminate, and track your MSA refund or transfer over the following months.
If Bestmed delays responding to your resignation, refuses to provide written confirmation, or withholds your MSA refund beyond six months, contact the Council for Medical Schemes immediately. Tocancel has helped thousands of South African consumers cancel medical schemes, reclaim their savings, and transition to better cover with confidence. Your cancellation is legal, your rights are protected, and you can act today knowing that Tocancel resources and South African consumer law are on your side. Start your cancellation process now by preparing your written resignation and gathering your membership documentation.