Frequently asked questions
In this section you'll find the answers to some frequently asked questions about MPS membership, our subscription rates, and medicolegal matters.
Simply select a question from the list below.
If you can't find the answer to your question here, contact your local membership office.
Applying for membership
Can I apply for membership on your website?
Medical students can apply online here.
Other applicants must complete and submit a form offline. Click here for details of how to apply for MPS membership.
Can I make payment on application?
You can submit your bank details (for a debit order to be set up) or a cheque when you submit your application for membership. However, payment cannot be taken until your application has been determined and approved.
Please see the ‘Payment Details’ section on the application form for further details of your options.
Subscription rates and payment
Why have the subscription rates increased again this year?
Please refer to our frequently asked questions on subscription rates here.
Can I renew my subscription online?
If you are a Medical Officer Grade 2 or 3, private GP or private specialist, you can renew your subscription online. Simply follow this step-by-step guide.
1. Click here to register for online membership services.
2. Complete page one of the registration form. Your membership number should be entered in the format SA#####, with “SA” replacing the first two digits of your number and the “/” as shown on your subscription renewal notice. For example, 07/99999 should be entered as SA99999.
3. Complete page two of the registration form, selecting your Username and Password in accordance with the guidance.
4. Once you have completed the registration process, you can complete your renewal online.
If you have difficulty completing your renewal online, please contact SAMA by calling 012 481 2070 or by email at mps@samedical.org.
How can I pay my subscription?
You can make payment by:
- Debit order from a South African or Namibian bank account, either annually or in ten monthly instalments. On request to pay by debit order, preferably include a cancelled cheque. (Please note that the debit order facility is not available for bank accounts held in Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe or Swaziland.) A debit order authority form can be found on page seven of our application form here.
- Cheque for the full subscription amount made payable to The Medical Protection Society Ltd and sent to South African Medical Association, PO Box 74789, Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria, 0040.
- Credit card for the full subscription amount by calling 0800 225 677.
Why do you take ten monthly debit orders and not twelve?
For administrative reasons, MPS does not take debit payments in the first and last months of the membership year.
I don't have a cheque book. Do I have to submit a cheque to activate a debit order?
If you don't have a cheque book, please inform us of your desire to pay by debit order and provide your full bank details in an email to mps@samedical.org. Please ensure that your membership number and details are included in your email.
Alternatively, you can choose the debit order payment option and fill in your bank details in the debit order section on your renewal form.
Do I have to submit my bank details again on my renewal form if they have not changed?
No. If your bank details have not changed, you will not have to submit them again.
We will continue to take payment by debit order until we receive a request in writing from you either to change your bank details or to cancel the debit order instruction.
If none of the details on my renewal form have changed, should I return it to MPS?
Yes. Please sign and return your renewal notice even if your details have not changed.
Please ensure that all details are correct before returning your renewal notice.
I did not see a debit leave my account this month. Is my membership still active?
For administrative reasons, MPS does not take debit payments in the first and last months of the membership year. If it is not the first or last month of your membership year and no debit has left your account, please contact SAMA.
What is my payment reference number and how can I find it?
Your payment reference number is shown on all subscription renewal documentation, in the format mps00#####.
If you are a Medical Officer Grade 2 or 3, private GP or private specialist, you will find the payment reference on page two of your renewal document in the payment details section.
For other members, the payment reference is printed in the top right-hand corner of your renewal document.
The payment reference can also be found on the ‘Outstanding Membership Fee’ document.
Updating your contact details
How can I inform you about a change in my contact details?
You can inform us about a change in your contact details by contacting SAMA by:
- Registering on the MPS website and submitting the changes (click here to register for online membership services)
- Telephone by calling 0800 225 677
- Fax on 086 635 8810 or 012 481 2061
- Email to mps@samedical.org
- Post by writing to Jackie Laas, South African Medical Association, PO Box 74789, Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria, 0040.
Please remember to include your MPS membership number (or HPCSA number if you cannot remember your membership number) and your full details in your request.
Can I change my correspondence address over the telephone?
Yes. However, you should note that the change can only be made on your personal instruction and not by any third party. Call SAMA on 0800 225 677 to update your contact details.
Practising in other countries
In which countries does MPS offer protection?
The main jurisdictions where MPS operates are the UK, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the Caribbean and Bermuda, and Kenya. However, we do have smaller numbers of members in other countries, so it is often possible to continue your membership even if, for example, you are doing voluntary work overseas.
If you are planning to practise overseas, you must contact MPS International Membership to discuss your circumstances before you travel. International Membership can be contacted by:
- Telephone by calling +44 113 243 0535
- Fax on +44 113 241 0500
- Email to southafricamembership@mps.org.uk
- Post by writing to International Membership, Medical Protection Society, Granary Wharf House, Leeds, LS11 5PY, United Kingdom.
Does my membership provide protection for practice in other countries?
Your membership will provide protection for practice you undertake in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
If you are planning to practise outside these countries, you must contact MPS International Membership to discuss your circumstances before you travel. International Membership can be contacted by:
- Telephone by calling +44 113 243 0535
- Fax on +44 113 241 0500
- Email to southafricamembership@mps.org.uk
- Post by writing to International Membership, Medical Protection Society, Granary Wharf House, Leeds, LS11 5PY, United Kingdom.
Does my membership provide protection for practice in the UK or Ireland?
Your membership will not automatically provide protection for any practice you perform in the UK or Ireland.
If you are planning to practise in the UK or Ireland, you must contact the MPS Membership Department to discuss your circumstances before you travel. The Membership Department can be contacted by:
- Telephone by calling +44 113 243 6436
- Fax on +44 113 241 0500
- Email to member.help@mps.org.uk
- Post by writing to Membership Department, Medical Protection Society, Granary Wharf House, Leeds, LS11 5PY, United Kingdom.
I have been offered work in the UK or Ireland via an agency. Whom do I notify?
If you are planning to practise in the UK or Ireland, you must contact the MPS Membership Department to discuss your circumstances before you travel. The Membership Department can be contacted by:
- Telephone by calling +44 113 243 6436
- Fax on +44 113 241 0500
- Email to member.help@mps.org.uk
- Post by writing to Membership Department, Medical Protection Society, Granary Wharf House, Leeds, LS11 5PY, United Kingdom.
Please note that you must do this personally. The agency will not be able to discuss your circumstances or make arrangements with MPS on your behalf.
Procedures and medicolegal advice
Whom do I contact for medicolegal assistance?
For medicolegal advice or assistance, contact one of our medicolegal advisers in South Africa, Dr Liz Meyer or Dr Tony Behrman, whose contact details can be found here.
I am considering undertaking some cosmetic treatments/procedures. What do I need to tell you?
MPS defines cosmetic treatments/procedures as those which, in the opinion of the MPS Council, have as their primary purpose the alteration of the non-pathological external appearance of the patient.
If you are considering undertaking any cosmetic treatments/procedures, you should submit the following to SAMA:
- a list of the cosmetic treatments/procedures
- details of your training and accreditation in these treatments/procedures
- the percentage of your income from private practice you expect to derive from these treatments/procedures
- the date from which you intend to start performing cosmetic practice.
SAMA’s contact details can be found here.
I only perform ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy. Do I have to change from a non-procedural to a procedural GP grade?
Yes. GPs undertaking any ultrasound work need to retain membership in a procedural GP grade.
If a paediatrician is only present at birth to score the baby, is this seen as neonatology and would a medium risk grade apply?
Paediatricians who undertake any neonatal care (even if only present at birth) now need to retain membership in a medium risk grade.
This change reflects the significant increase in the cost of compensation awards made to young children harmed by negligent treatment and specifically the substantial cost of funding lifetime care packages.
What effect does the Consumer Protection Act have on a doctor in her/his practice?
An article on the effects of the Consumer Protection Act was published in the September 2010 edition of Casebook. A copy of the article can be found here.
Online services
Why is my membership number not accepted when I try to register for MPS online services?
Your membership number should be entered in the format SA#####, with “SA” replacing the first two digits of your number and the “/” as shown on your subscription renewal notice. For example, 07/99999 should be entered as SA99999.
Can I apply for membership on your website?
Medical students can apply online here. Other applicants must complete an offline form. Click here for details of how to apply for MPS membership.
Can I change my membership grade on your website?
To change your membership grade, you will need to contact SAMA by:
- Telephone by calling 0800 225 677
- Fax on 086 635 8810 or 012 481 2061
- Email to mps@samedical.org
- Post by writing to Jackie Laas, South African Medical Association, PO Box 74789, Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria, 0040.
Please remember to include your MPS membership number (or HPCSA number if you cannot remember your membership number) and full details, indicating the change, the effective date for the change and the reason for your request.
Other questions
I am an Occupational Health specialist. Which category applies?
Occupational Health specialists are eligible to apply for membership in a general practitioner grade. The procedures you perform will determine which grade will be applicable.
Is the indemnity MPS offers capped?
MPS indemnity is not limited by financial caps – nor do we impose a system of excesses. When we take on a member’s case, we take care of all the legal costs and compensation payments.