Cancellation Discovery: Simple Process

What is Discovery

Overview

Discovery is a South African financial and health services group offering medical schemes, wellness programmes and digital subscriptions such as Discovery+.

Key services covered in this guide include Discovery Health Medical Scheme (medical aid), Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs) and the discovery+ streaming subscription.

Scope of this guide

This guide explains how to cancel major Discovery products in South Africa, what to expect after cancellation and your consumer rights under local law.

It draws on verified policy points about notice periods, MSA payout timing and app-store subscription flows.

How to cancel Discovery

Cancelling Discovery Health Medical Scheme (medical aid)

• Give at least 30 calendar days' written notice (one calendar month) as required by the Medical Schemes Act.
• Notify Discovery Health Medical Scheme by phone at 0860 99 88 77 or use the app / Member Zone / website to submit your cancellation request.
• Keep a copy of the written notice and ask for written confirmation of the effective withdrawal date.

Cancelling via a cancellation form (Code Cash summary route)

• Call 0860 99 88 77 to request a cancellation form if required.
• Complete and submit the form by email, fax or post and retain proof of submission.
• Wait for written confirmation of cancellation from Discovery.

Cancelling discovery+ (streaming subscription)

• Apple App Store subscriptions: cancel via iOS Settings > [your name] > Subscriptions > discovery+; cancellation takes effect at the end of the billing period.
• Google Play (Android): open Play Store > profile > Payments & subscriptions > discovery+ > Cancel subscription.
• Web subscriptions: if you subscribed directly via discoveryplus.in, sign in, go to My Account > Subscription details and select Cancel.

What happens when you cancel

Access and renewal

For discovery+ the subscription remains active until the end of your current billing period; auto‑renewal stops after cancellation.

For medical aid, cover continues until the effective withdrawal date (after the required notice); ensure you have alternative cover if needed.

Data and records

Discovery retains membership and claims records according to its policies and regulatory requirements; request copies if you need documentation for the new scheme or insurer.

Keep written confirmation of cancellation and any reference numbers for future enquiries or disputes.

Will I get a refund?

Medical Savings Account (MSA) funds

You cannot immediately withdraw MSA funds on cancellation. Positive MSA balances are paid out on the first claims run in the fifth month after the effective withdrawal date.

This timing is standardised in Discovery Health guidance and may result in a delay before funds are released.

Streaming and other refunds

There is no general 14‑day cooling‑off or automatic refund policy indicated for Discovery products in the verified information.

For discovery+, cancellation prevents auto‑renewal; refunds are not automatically issued and depend on the billing provider (App Store, Google Play or direct web terms).

Discovery plans and pricing

Official medical aid sample prices

The table below lists verified main‑member monthly contributions for Discovery Health plans for 2024 and projected 2025 figures where available.

Discovery+ pricing note

Discovery+ is not officially available in South Africa in all channels; the prices shown for discovery+ are approximate and based on VPN access where applicable.

Your consumer rights in South Africa

Medical Aid cancellation rights

Under the Medical Schemes Act you have the right to cancel a medical scheme with 30 days' written notice. Ensure you provide written notice and retain proof.

Request written confirmation of your effective withdrawal date from Discovery to ensure proper timing for cover and billing.

MSA and complaints escalation

Positive MSA balances must be paid out, subject to the payment timing (first claims run in the fifth month after effective withdrawal).

If you have unresolved disputes, escalate to Discovery's complaints unit, then to the scheme’s Principal Officer, and finally to the Council for Medical Schemes at 0861 123 267.

Streaming consumer rights

For discovery+ subscriptions you cancel via the billing provider (App Store, Google Play or web portal). Deleting the app does not cancel billing.

Refunds for streaming are handled according to the billing provider’s policies; cancellations prevent future charges but do not necessarily trigger refunds.

Customer experiences

Positive feedback

• Customers report helpful customer service in some cases, e.g. a consultant resolving issues quickly (Trustpilot example).
• Discovery Travel Insurance has been described as fairly comprehensive and straightforward by some reviewers.

Negative feedback

• Some customers report difficulty cancelling Vitality or Discovery+ after free trials, requiring phone calls rather than online cancellation.
• There are reports of delayed or unresolved claims and aggressive recovery/claw‑back actions in certain disputes.
• Auto‑renewal charges and complexities when cancelling subscriptions via different app stores are repeatedly mentioned.

Documentation checklist

Essential documents to prepare

• Membership or policy number (medical aid or discovery+ account ID).
• Copy of your ID (identity document or passport).
• Written cancellation notice or completed cancellation form.

Optional supporting documents

• Bank details for any MSA payout (if requested by Discovery).
• Proof of delivery for mailed or faxed cancellation forms and any written confirmation received.
• Correspondence history to support a complaint or dispute escalation.

Common mistakes

Assuming deleting the app cancels subscriptions

Deleting the discovery+ app does not cancel a subscription charged through the App Store or Google Play. Cancel via the billing provider to stop charges.

Always confirm cancellation via the store account or the web subscription page.

Failing to provide 30 days' written notice

Medical aid cancellations require at least 30 calendar days' written notice; telephone-only requests without written confirmation can lead to disputes.

Request written confirmation and keep copies to avoid unwanted billing or cover gaps.

Expecting immediate MSA payouts

MSA balances are paid out on the first claims run in the fifth month after withdrawal; do not expect immediate refunds on cancellation.

Plan finances accordingly and confirm payout arrangements with Discovery.

Comparative recap

Quick comparison

The table below summarises cancellation notice, refund expectations and key notes for common Discovery services.

Use this to choose next steps

After cancelling

What to check immediately

Confirm you have written confirmation with the effective withdrawal date and a reference number for the cancellation.

Verify that billing stops on the agreed date and retain copies of any final invoices.

Next steps if you have issues

• Contact Discovery via their customer channels and provide your cancellation reference.
• If unresolved, escalate to the scheme Principal Officer and then to the Council for Medical Schemes at 0861 123 267.
• Track MSA payout timing and check bank accounts in the months following withdrawal.

Address

Postal address for correspondence

PO Box 22332, Port Elizabeth, 6000.

Use this address for postal cancellation forms or written correspondence if required.

Useful phone numbers

Discovery Health contact: 0860 99 88 77 (use this number to request cancellation forms or to lodge a cancellation request).

Council for Medical Schemes (escalation): 0861 123 267.