ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE FOR INDIVIDUAL BROKERS AND BROKERAGES
1.
Legislative Framework
Regulation 28(B) of the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998 sets out the requirements for accreditation
of brokers.
The policy document published by the Office of the Registrar in April 2013 also has reference.
http://www.medicalschemes.com/files/Brokers/PolicyOnAccOfBrNOrg2013.pdf
2.
Who can apply for accreditation with the Office of the Registrar
Any person whose business or part thereof, entails providing broker services can submit a completed
application form.
It is important to note that an applicant must ensure that all correct supporting documents as
indicated in the application form are attached, to avoid delays when the application form is being
considered by this office.
This office strongly recommends electronic submission of application forms. Application forms
together with supporting documents can be submitted by email to [email protected] or
fax to 012 431 0655.
All application forms for accreditation are accessible on the Council website:
http://www.medicalschemes.com/Publications.aspx. Please click on the Application Forms menu item
to download the application forms.
Chairperson: Prof. Y Veriava Chief Executive & Registrar: Dr M Gantsho
Block A, Eco Glades 2 Office Park, 420 Witch-Hazel Avenue, Eco Park, Centurion, 0157
Tel: 012 431 0500 Fax: 012 430 7644 Customer Care: 0861 123 267
[email protected] www.medicalschemes.com
3.
Renewal of Accreditation
This office dispatches advance automated renewal notifications to all accredited entities and
individuals four months prior to the expiry date. It is therefore essential that brokers ensure that
correct contact details are recorded on the Council‘s database. Your attention is drawn to provisions
of regulation 28B(9) which is quoted for your ease of reference:
28 B (9) A broker or apprentice broker wishing to renew his or her accreditation shall apply to
the Council for such renewal in such format as the Council may from time to time determine,
provided that –
(a) such application for renewal shall be made by the broker or apprentice broker at least
three months prior to the date of expiry of the accreditation
(b) the broker or apprentice broker shall furnish the Council with any information that the
Council may require
This office requires a completed renewal application form together with supporting documents.
Failure by the applicant to comply will regrettably result in the applicant remaining unaccredited
during the period in which the applicant was in default.
Submission of proof of payment and or transfer of payment into the Council’ bank account
does not amount to an application for accreditation (new and renewal).
Further, It is important to note that this office is not in a position to backdate accreditation for
whatever reason should there be a break in accreditation status. It is incumbent upon the
applicant to ensure that all documents required in support of the application are submitted
timeously.
4.
Turn around times for considering application forms
Arrangements are in place for applicants to send and for this office to receive and retain all
applications electronically, thereby speeding up the process of accreditation and saving paper.
The Office of the Registrar will send an automated acknowledgement of an application form to the
applicant within 5 working days of receipt. The application form will then be allocated to the
accreditation analyst.
Chairperson: Prof. Y Veriava Chief Executive & Registrar: Dr M Gantsho
Block A, Eco Glades 2 Office Park, 420 Witch-Hazel Avenue, Eco Park, Centurion, 0157
Tel: 012 431 0500 Fax: 012 430 7644 Customer Care: 0861 123 267
[email protected] www.medicalschemes.com
Page 2
The allocated accreditation analyst shall within 14 working days of receipt, analyse the application
form together supporting documents. Delays will necessarily occur when the office of the Registrar
has to communicate with applicants for whatever reason. In the event of such delays, an applicant
will be subjected to a further 14 working days of receiving such outstanding documentation.
Outstanding documents must be addressed to the analyst concerned, stating the reference number
appearing on the outstanding document letter sent to the applicant and email to
[email protected] .
Once the accreditation is granted, the original certificate will be printed and posted to the applicant
within 2 working days. Therefore, the turnaround time for processing all application forms is 21
working days in respect of duly completed applications with all supporting documents.
In instances where the applicant fails to respond to enquiries or fails to provide this office with any
information required within 6 months from date of request, such applications are considered stale. In
such cases, the file is closed and the applicant is required to re-apply should he/she wish to be
accredited and resubmit a new application with payment of prescribed fees. Refer to Circular 29 of
2002 as published on the CMS website: www.medicalschemes.com
5.
Fees payable
A non-refundable application fee of R1000.00 is payable in favour of the Council for Medical
Schemes and proof of payment by electronic transfer or direct deposit must accompany the
application for accreditation or renewal of accreditation. The office does not accept any payments in
cash when applications are handed in at the counter. The application fee is non-refundable. The
reference to be used when making payments is the accreditation number (BR or ORG No.) or I.D
number or name of an organisation or CK number (in case of new applications)
Banking details
BANK: ABSA
ACCOUNT NO.: 4051163394
BRANCH NAME: Vermeulen Street (Pretoria)
BRANCH CODE: 517 245
ACCOUNT HOLDER: Council for Medical Schemes
Chairperson: Prof. Y Veriava Chief Executive & Registrar: Dr M Gantsho
Block A, Eco Glades 2 Office Park, 420 Witch-Hazel Avenue, Eco Park, Centurion, 0157
Tel: 012 431 0500 Fax: 012 430 7644 Customer Care: 0861 123 267
[email protected] www.medicalschemes.com
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6.
The Registrar’s decision and appeal to Council:
Section 49 of the Act makes provision for any party who is aggrieved with the decision of the
Registrar to appeal such a decision.
This appeal is at no cost to either of the parties.
An appeal must be lodged within 30 days of the date of the decision. An acknowledgement of receipt
will be sent to the appellant
Upon receipt of the appeal, the accreditation unit must submit paginated appeal papers together with
supporting documentation to the Council Secretary within two working days.
The secretariat of the Appeals Committee will inform all parties involved of the date and time of the
hearing. This notice should be provided no less than 14 days before the date of the hearing.
The parties may appear before the Committee and tender evidence or submit written arguments or
explanations in person or through a representative.
The Appeals Committee may after the hearing confirm or vary the decision concerned or rescind it
and give another decision as they seem just.
Chairperson: Prof. Y Veriava Chief Executive & Registrar: Dr M Gantsho
Block A, Eco Glades 2 Office Park, 420 Witch-Hazel Avenue, Eco Park, Centurion, 0157
Tel: 012 431 0500 Fax: 012 430 7644 Customer Care: 0861 123 267
[email protected] www.medicalschemes.com
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