Cancellation Medshield: Easy Method

What is Medshield

Overview

Medshield is a South African medical scheme offering a range of subscription-based medical aid plans that cover hospital and day‑to‑day healthcare needs.

Plans vary from basic hospital-only cover to comprehensive options with savings funds and extended benefits aimed at individuals and families.

How it operates

Membership is subscription-based with monthly contributions and benefit rules set by the scheme and the Medical Schemes Act.

Benefits, waiting periods and claim rules depend on the specific plan you choose and the scheme's rules.

How to cancel Medshield

Standard cancellation steps

• Confirm you are outside any fixed contract term and identify your billing cycle to calculate notice start.
• Provide one calendar month’s written notice to the scheme - this is the common requirement for medical schemes in South Africa.
• Send the cancellation in writing (email or registered post) and keep proof of delivery and the cancellation date.

Alternate channels and subscriptions

• If you subscribed through the Apple App Store, cancel via iOS Settings → Subscriptions on your device.
• If you subscribed via Google Play, cancel via Google Play → Profile → Payments & Subscriptions on your device.
• Cancellation through app stores stops future billing but does not automatically guarantee a refund from the scheme.

What happens when you cancel

Access to cover

Your membership normally continues for the one-month notice period after the scheme receives your cancellation.

Cover ends at the conclusion of that notice period; claims made during notice will be processed under normal rules.

Re-enrolment and records

If you later rejoin a medical scheme you may face waiting periods and late-joiner penalties under the Medical Schemes Act.

The scheme will keep records of your membership and claims; request copies if needed before cancellation.

Will I get a refund?

Cooling-off period

There is commonly a cooling-off (free-look) period of roughly 14 days (sometimes up to 31 days) for comparable insurance-type products in South Africa.

If you cancel within that cooling-off window and no claims have been made, a pro‑rata refund may apply subject to deductions for any cover used.

Outside the cooling-off period

Once the cooling-off period has passed, medical scheme premiums are generally non-refundable; refunds are uncommon except where legally required.

Any refund calculations are typically prorated and may be reduced by the cost of benefits already used during the membership period.

Medshield plans and pricing

Pricing snapshot

Below are published monthly contribution amounts for 2025 as reported by ReHealth on 7 January 2025.

For the latest pricing or plan details contact the scheme or an authorised broker.

Your consumer rights in South Africa

Cooling-off and cancellation rights

You are typically entitled to a cooling-off/free-look period (commonly 14 - 31 days) during which you may cancel without cost if no claims were made.

Refer to the scheme’s terms for the exact cooling-off period that applies to your membership.

Notice, refunds and re-joining

• Outside the cooling-off period you generally must give one month’s notice to cancel a medical scheme membership.
• Refunds after the cooling-off window are uncommon; any refund is likely to be pro‑rata and reduced by benefits used.
• If you let cover lapse and later rejoin, waiting periods and late-joiner penalties can apply under the Medical Schemes Act.

Customer experiences

Positive feedback

Some members report that value-oriented plans (for example, lower-cost capitation/saver options) can be affordable for families and provide reasonable GP and maternity benefits.

Users have highlighted certain plans as offering good Rand value relative to benefits when matched to individual needs.

Negative feedback

Other members report issues with customer service, delays in claims processing and difficulty obtaining authorisations.

Complaints often focus on responsiveness and claim outcomes, so check recent feedback and ask the scheme about service standards before deciding.

Documentation checklist

What to send

• Written cancellation request including membership number and effective cancellation date.
• Proof of identity (ID/passport) and the main member’s signature.
• Banking details if a refund is expected and allowed.

What to keep

• Copies of your cancellation letter or email and proof of postage/delivery.
• Copies of your membership schedule, recent statements and any correspondence about claims.
• Records of authorisations or approvals for care that occurred during the notice period.

Common mistakes

Assuming immediate termination

Some members assume cancellation is instant; in reality, a one-month notice typically applies and cover continues until the end of that period.

Failing to account for this can leave you without cover once expenses arise or double-paying for overlapping cover.

Expecting automatic refunds

Members sometimes expect refunds after cancelling; outside of the cooling-off period refunds are uncommon and usually prorated only in limited circumstances.

Also, cancelling an app subscription does not automatically cancel the scheme membership unless the scheme confirms this.

Comparative recap

Key comparisons

Below is a short comparison of typical features related to cancellation and refunds for Medshield versus common South African medical scheme practice.

Use this to confirm expectations before you cancel.

After cancelling

Follow-up steps

Keep your proof of cancellation and any final statements from the scheme for at least a year in case of disputes.

Check outstanding claims and request final explanations of benefits for care provided during the notice period.

Helpful links and further reading

For general advice on cancelling medical cover and considerations, see guidance on cancelling medical aids:

Factors to consider before cancelling your medical aid

For terms that describe cooling-off and contract conditions used by comparable providers, see standard terms examples:

Medway terms & conditions (example of cooling-off wording)

For guidance on app-store subscription cancellations, consult platform terms:

App-based subscription examples and cancellation notes

Address

Primary office

Medshield head office physical address (for in-person or registered-post correspondence):

288 Kent Avenue, Corner Kent Avenue and Harley Street, Ferndale, Randburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

Mailing and contact notes

If you send cancellation notices by post, use registered or recorded delivery and retain the tracking reference.

Always include your membership number and contact details to help the scheme process the request quickly.