Letters
Chronic medication (CDL) application letter template
By Naledi Mokoena · 6 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
To get chronic medication funded, register the condition on your scheme's chronic programme by sending a chronic application with your doctor's script, the diagnosis and the ICD-10 code. If your condition is on the Chronic Disease List (CDL), the scheme must cover the approved medicine in full as a prescribed minimum benefit.
Use the template below, supported by your treating doctor. Fill in every [PLACEHOLDER] and attach the script.
Until the chronic registration is approved, your medicine may come off your savings or day-to-day benefits, so apply as soon as you are diagnosed.
CDL and chronic cover explained
The Chronic Disease List (CDL) is a set of 27 chronic conditions that every scheme must cover, including asthma, diabetes type 1 and 2, hypertension, epilepsy and HIV. These are prescribed minimum benefits, so once you register, the scheme must fund the approved treatment in full.
Schemes may also cover extra chronic conditions beyond the CDL on richer plans, but those are not guaranteed by law.
Chronic medication application template
Ask your doctor to confirm the clinical details. Replace every [PLACEHOLDER].
[Your full name]
[Membership number]
[Email] | [Cellphone]
[Date]
The Chronic / Clinical Department
[Scheme name]
RE: Chronic medication application - member [MEMBERSHIP NUMBER]
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am applying to register a chronic condition for medicine cover.
Patient: [PATIENT NAME AND DEPENDANT CODE]
Condition: [CONDITION, e.g. hypertension]
ICD-10 code: [ICD-10 CODE]
Treating doctor: [NAME AND PRACTICE NUMBER]
Prescribed medicine:
[MEDICINE NAME, STRENGTH, DOSAGE AND NAPPI CODE - one line each]
The attached script supports this application. As this condition is on the [Chronic Disease List](/guides/chronic-disease-benefits/), I request that it be funded in full as a prescribed minimum benefit, and not from my savings or [day-to-day benefits](/guides/day-to-day-benefits/).
Please confirm approval, the designated pharmacy or courier, and any formulary medicine I must use.
Yours faithfully,
[Your full name]
[ID number]
Doctor's confirmation: [DOCTOR NAME, SIGNATURE, PRACTICE NUMBER]
Formulary and DSP rules
Schemes fund chronic medicine in full only if you use the formulary medicine and the designated pharmacy or courier. The formulary is the scheme's approved list for each condition. If your doctor prescribes a non-formulary brand, you may pay a co-payment unless the doctor motivates that the formulary option is not clinically suitable. Ask for the formulary upfront.
Renewals and changes
Most chronic registrations need a renewal each year or when your treatment changes. If your doctor adjusts the dose or medicine, send an updated script so the scheme keeps paying in full. Set a reminder so cover does not lapse and push your medicine onto day-to-day benefits.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Chronic Disease List (CDL)?
The CDL is a list of 27 chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and hypertension, that every South African scheme must cover as prescribed minimum benefits. Once you register, the scheme funds the approved medicine in full if you follow the formulary and use the designated pharmacy.
How do I register chronic medication with my medical aid?
Send a chronic application with your doctor's script, the diagnosis and the ICD-10 code, using the letter above. Apply as soon as you are diagnosed. Until it is approved, the medicine may come off your savings or day-to-day benefits.
Why do I have a co-payment on my chronic medicine?
Usually because the prescribed brand is not on the scheme's formulary, or you used a pharmacy that is not the designated provider. Switch to the formulary medicine or designated pharmacy, or ask your doctor to motivate the non-formulary choice.
Does chronic cover come off my savings?
Approved CDL medicine should be funded in full as a PMB, not from your savings. If it is being deducted from savings, your chronic registration may not be active or the medicine may be non-formulary. Check the registration status with the scheme.
Can I claim chronic medicine for a condition not on the CDL?
Maybe. Many schemes cover extra chronic conditions on richer plans, but these are not guaranteed by law. Check your plan's additional chronic list, and apply the same way with a script and ICD-10 code.
How often do I renew chronic registration?
Most schemes require an annual renewal, or a fresh application when your medicine or dose changes. Send an updated script each time so your cover stays in full and your medicine does not slip onto day-to-day benefits.
