NPS Score
-100
Recommended: Unlikely
Nov '25 - Oct '26
Frequently Asked Questions About Council for Medical Schemes
How is Council for Medical Schemes rated on Hellopeter?
Hellopeter has tracked Council for Medical Schemes across 57 reviews. Council for Medical Schemes hasn't collected enough recent reviews — at least 10 in the last 12 months are needed — to calculate a TrustIndex score. Have you used Council for Medical Schemes? Write a review to help others decide.
Recent reviews (7)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Feb 2013
Why waste your time reporting to Council for Medical Schemes
Called Bonitas in December 2025 for hospital authorisation, received authorisation and advised we will have to settle any claim out of schedule. We agreed to this and went for procedure. When accounts came they rejected the Dr full account and we requested that they just send us a letter stating why rejection so that we can forward to gap cover that doesn't pay unless the medical aids gives reason for rejection. Since then we have been up and down for 9 months now and even reported them to the Medical Ombudsman that sadly also just passes the mails between Bonitas and myself and does absolutely nothing further, in fact doesn't even read my mails properly as they asking for documents sent to Bonitas and Phumla Xuza (Ombudsman) third time in row now. I am definitely moving away from Bontas in December when I can and strongly suggest if you wanting to change to Bonitas to look carefully at their reports - hasn't been good lately And reporting to the Council for Medical Schemes is an absolute waste of time has taken since 24th June 2026 to 17th September 2026 with no progress
1 reviews | Active since Feb 2013
Why waste your time reporting to Council for Medical Schemes
Called Bonitas in December 2025 for hospital authorisation, received authorisation and advised we will have to settle any claim out of schedule. We agreed to this and went for procedure. When accounts came they rejected the Dr full account and we requested that they just send us a letter stating why rejection so that we can forward to gap cover that doesn't pay unless the medical aids gives reason for rejection. Since then we have been up and down for 9 months now and even reported them to the Medical Ombudsman that sadly also just passes the mails between Bonitas and myself and does absolutely nothing further, in fact doesn't even read my mails properly as they asking for documents sent to Bonitas and Phumla Xuza (Ombudsman) third time in row now. I am definitely moving away from Bontas in December when I can and strongly suggest if you wanting to change to Bonitas to look carefully at their reports - hasn't been good lately And reporting to the Council for Medical Schemes is an absolute waste of time has taken since 24th June 2026 to 17th September 2026 with no progress
1 reviews | Active since Oct 2018
Council for Medical Schemes: regulatory failure dressed up as an automated receipt
I approached the Council for Medical Schemes because Bonitas Medical Fund has failed to process a member-paid claim, failed to respond properly to repeated emails, failed to resolve call-centre follow-ups, and failed to provide any clear written outcome. CMS has now added its own layer of failure. I submitted a formal complaint with a completed complaint form, proof of payment, provider invoice, Bonitas reference numbers, and the full email chain showing failed internal escalation. What did CMS provide? An automated receipt. No proper human acknowledgement. No CMS complaint reference number. No named handler. No confirmation that the complaint has been registered. No confirmation that it has been referred to Bonitas. No deadline for Bonitas to respond. No usable next step. This is not regulation. It is an inbox. Members are told to exhaust internal medical scheme channels before approaching CMS. I did that. I followed up with the scheme repeatedly. I phoned. I emailed. I collected reference numbers. I escalated. Then I submitted a full complaint pack to the regulator. To be met with another automated non-response is beyond unacceptable. If a regulator cannot even provide a complaint reference number and assigned contact after receiving a completed complaint form, then the complaints process itself becomes part of the problem. CMS should not be another dead mailbox sitting between members and medical schemes that already ignore them. I require CMS to confirm, in writing: 1. The complaint reference number 2. The name and contact details of the person handling it 3. Whether the complaint has been registered 4. Whether it has been referred to Bonitas 5. The deadline by which Bonitas must respond A regulator that cannot acknowledge, register and track a properly submitted complaint is not protecting members. It is merely adding delay, opacity and insult to an already disgraceful process.
1 reviews | Active since Oct 2018
Council for Medical Schemes: regulatory failure dressed up as an automated receipt
I approached the Council for Medical Schemes because Bonitas Medical Fund has failed to process a member-paid claim, failed to respond properly to repeated emails, failed to resolve call-centre follow-ups, and failed to provide any clear written outcome. CMS has now added its own layer of failure. I submitted a formal complaint with a completed complaint form, proof of payment, provider invoice, Bonitas reference numbers, and the full email chain showing failed internal escalation. What did CMS provide? An automated receipt. No proper human acknowledgement. No CMS complaint reference number. No named handler. No confirmation that the complaint has been registered. No confirmation that it has been referred to Bonitas. No deadline for Bonitas to respond. No usable next step. This is not regulation. It is an inbox. Members are told to exhaust internal medical scheme channels before approaching CMS. I did that. I followed up with the scheme repeatedly. I phoned. I emailed. I collected reference numbers. I escalated. Then I submitted a full complaint pack to the regulator. To be met with another automated non-response is beyond unacceptable. If a regulator cannot even provide a complaint reference number and assigned contact after receiving a completed complaint form, then the complaints process itself becomes part of the problem. CMS should not be another dead mailbox sitting between members and medical schemes that already ignore them. I require CMS to confirm, in writing: 1. The complaint reference number 2. The name and contact details of the person handling it 3. Whether the complaint has been registered 4. Whether it has been referred to Bonitas 5. The deadline by which Bonitas must respond A regulator that cannot acknowledge, register and track a properly submitted complaint is not protecting members. It is merely adding delay, opacity and insult to an already disgraceful process.
1 reviews | Active since Dec 2017
Lack of Response from Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) After Successful Registering a Complaint
I am extremely disappointed with the lack of communication and accountability from the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS). I previously lodged a complaint against Discovery Health regarding their refusal to pay for a medical procedure from my Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMB). The complaint was successfully registered 10 March 2026. However, since the outcome, I have sent multiple follow-up emails to CMS seeking clarity and further information on the status of my complaint, with a lack of response after following up multiple times. It is deeply concerning that an organisation tasked with protecting medical scheme members fails to respond once a case has been concluded. As a consumer, I rely on CMS not only to adjudicate disputes but also to provide ongoing guidance and support when needed. The complete lack of acknowledgment or communication is unacceptable and undermines confidence in the institution. I would like CMS to: • Acknowledge receipt of my emails • Provide a clear response to my queries • Improve their post-resolution communication with consumers At present, the level of service falls well below expectations for a regulatory body of this nature.
1 reviews | Active since Dec 2017
Lack of Response from Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) After Successful Registering a Complaint
I am extremely disappointed with the lack of communication and accountability from the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS). I previously lodged a complaint against Discovery Health regarding their refusal to pay for a medical procedure from my Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMB). The complaint was successfully registered 10 March 2026. However, since the outcome, I have sent multiple follow-up emails to CMS seeking clarity and further information on the status of my complaint, with a lack of response after following up multiple times. It is deeply concerning that an organisation tasked with protecting medical scheme members fails to respond once a case has been concluded. As a consumer, I rely on CMS not only to adjudicate disputes but also to provide ongoing guidance and support when needed. The complete lack of acknowledgment or communication is unacceptable and undermines confidence in the institution. I would like CMS to: • Acknowledge receipt of my emails • Provide a clear response to my queries • Improve their post-resolution communication with consumers At present, the level of service falls well below expectations for a regulatory body of this nature.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2022
CMS Failing to Release Final Ruling After 4 Weeks – Urgent Medical Case
I lodged a complaint with the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) under reference CMS 90754 regarding a dispute with my medical aid. I was formally informed that the final ruling had been completed and would be issued by close of business on 13 March 2026. It has now been over four weeks, and despite multiple follow-up emails — including escalation to the Registrar — I have not received the ruling or any explanation for the delay. This matter is urgent and involves: • Cancellation of medical aid membership • A disputed amount • My wife requiring urgent surgery due to a serious medical condition The lack of communication and failure to issue the ruling is causing significant stress and medical prejudice. I urgently request that CMS release the ruling or provide a clear explanation for the delay.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2022
CMS Failing to Release Final Ruling After 4 Weeks – Urgent Medical Case
I lodged a complaint with the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) under reference CMS 90754 regarding a dispute with my medical aid. I was formally informed that the final ruling had been completed and would be issued by close of business on 13 March 2026. It has now been over four weeks, and despite multiple follow-up emails — including escalation to the Registrar — I have not received the ruling or any explanation for the delay. This matter is urgent and involves: • Cancellation of medical aid membership • A disputed amount • My wife requiring urgent surgery due to a serious medical condition The lack of communication and failure to issue the ruling is causing significant stress and medical prejudice. I urgently request that CMS release the ruling or provide a clear explanation for the delay.
1 reviews | Active since Jul 2013
Include Nappi Codes and/or Tariff Codes on Medical Scheme Stateme ts
Please kindly explain to me why medical schemes may not include nappi and/or tariff codes on their statements? It is almost impossible to reconcile my statements, especially with a hospital visit. Privacy is not a concern, they can password protect those documents, like any other document. You know full well my elderly mom of 78 won't be able to reconcile with original provider statements. Please revise your policy.
1 reviews | Active since Jul 2013
Include Nappi Codes and/or Tariff Codes on Medical Scheme Stateme ts
Please kindly explain to me why medical schemes may not include nappi and/or tariff codes on their statements? It is almost impossible to reconcile my statements, especially with a hospital visit. Privacy is not a concern, they can password protect those documents, like any other document. You know full well my elderly mom of 78 won't be able to reconcile with original provider statements. Please revise your policy.