Letters
Medical aid resignation and cancellation letter template
By Naledi Mokoena · 5 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
To cancel your medical aid, send your scheme a written cancellation letter giving at least one calendar month's notice, quoting your membership number, and stating the last day you want cover. Most South African schemes require notice in writing, so a phone call alone is not enough.
Use the template below as is. Fill in every [PLACEHOLDER], keep a copy, and ask the scheme for written confirmation of your cancellation date.
Before you cancel, line up your new cover. A break in membership can trigger fresh waiting periods and late-joiner penalties when you rejoin later.
When to use this letter
Use this letter when you want to resign from your medical scheme, switch to another scheme, or move onto a spouse's membership. You usually need to give one full calendar month's notice. If you give notice on the 10th, your cover typically ends on the last day of the next month, not 30 days later - check your scheme rules.
Do not cancel until your new cover is confirmed and active. Schemes treat a break in cover as a reason to apply new waiting periods.
The cancellation letter template
Copy the block below into an email or letter and replace every [PLACEHOLDER].
[Your full name]
[Your physical address]
[Your email] | [Your cellphone]
[Date]
The Membership Department
[Scheme name]
[Scheme email or postal address]
RE: Cancellation of medical scheme membership - membership no. [MEMBERSHIP NUMBER]
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to give notice that I wish to cancel my membership of [SCHEME NAME], membership number [MEMBERSHIP NUMBER], on which the following beneficiaries are registered: [LIST MAIN MEMBER AND DEPENDANTS].
In line with the scheme rules, I am giving one calendar month's written notice. Please cancel my membership and that of my dependants with effect from [LAST DAY OF COVER, e.g. 31 July 2026].
Please confirm in writing:
1. The exact date my cover and my contributions will end.
2. Any pro-rata refund or final amount owing.
3. That a membership certificate (showing cover dates and any waiting periods served) will be issued.
Kindly stop any debit order against account [BANK ACCOUNT, OPTIONAL] after the final contribution.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
[Your full name]
[Signature]
[ID number]
What to send with it
- A copy of your ID (some scheme membership teams ask for this to confirm identity).
- Your membership number on every page.
- Send it to the membership or client services email and ask for a read receipt or reference number.
Keep the sent email and any reply. If a dispute comes up later, that paper trail is your proof of the notice date.
Get a membership certificate
Always ask for a membership certificate when you cancel. It records your cover start and end dates and which waiting periods you have already served. Your next scheme uses it to decide whether new waiting periods or a late-joiner penalty apply. Without it, you may be treated as a brand new member and made to serve waiting periods again.
Common mistakes that cost money
- Cancelling before the new scheme confirms cover, leaving a gap.
- Forgetting that notice runs to the end of a calendar month, so you pay one more contribution than you expected.
- Assuming a phone call cancels the debit order - cancel the debit order with your bank too, after the final payment clears.
- Not asking for the membership certificate, then serving waiting periods twice.
Frequently asked questions
How much notice do I need to give to cancel my medical aid?
Most South African schemes require one full calendar month's written notice. If you give notice partway through a month, your cover usually ends on the last day of the following month. Always confirm the exact end date in writing with your scheme.
Can I cancel my medical aid over the phone?
A phone call is rarely enough. Schemes require cancellation in writing, so send the letter or email above and keep proof. Phoning first to get the right email address is useful, but the written notice is what counts.
Will I get a refund when I cancel?
If you have paid a contribution that covers time after your cancellation date, you may be due a pro-rata refund. Ask the scheme to confirm any refund or final amount owing in writing when they process your cancellation.
Will cancelling trigger waiting periods if I rejoin later?
A break in cover can. If you join a new scheme within a short window and supply your membership certificate, some waiting periods may be waived. Gaps of more than a few months often lead to fresh waiting periods and possible late-joiner penalties.
Do I need to cancel the debit order separately?
Yes. Tell the scheme to stop the debit order, but also instruct your bank to cancel it after the final contribution has cleared. This stops an accidental extra debit while the cancellation is processed.
Can the scheme refuse to cancel my membership?
No. You may resign at any time with proper notice. If the scheme delays or disputes your cancellation, you can complain to the scheme and then escalate to the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS).
