Circular 34 of 2025: Section 8 (h) Exemption Application Process

The purpose of this Circular is to delineate the processes in submitting exemption applications to the Council of Medical Schemes. Previously, the CMS issued Circular 33 of 2021, detailing the online submission process for exemption applications.

As the regulator of medical schemes, the CMS is obligated to monitor medical schemes’ compliance with the Medical Schemes Act (131 of 1998) (MSA) and the respective scheme rules. Pursuant to its mandate, the Council may grant applicants exemptions based on the provisions of the MSA, in terms of Section 8(h).

Section 8 (h)of the MSA provides that:

 “[t]he Council shall, in the exercise of its powers, be entitled to – exempt, in exceptional cases and subject to such terms and conditions and for such period as the Council may determine, a medical scheme or other person upon written application from complying with any provision of this Act.

Download the Circular here.