The South African Municipal Workers’ Union National Medical Scheme (SAMWUMED) provides healthcare coverage to municipal workers and local government employees across South Africa.
Below is a complete directory of SAMWUMED contact numbers, email addresses, physical office locations, postal details, and specialized department contact information for member queries, hospital authorisations, claim submissions, and emergency medical services.
General Contact Information
- Call Centre (Toll-Free / Main Line): 0860 104 117
- Alternative Direct Line: 021 697 9000
- General Administrator Enquiries (Medscheme): 086 111 2666
- WhatsApp Support Line: 060 019 3547 (+27 60 019 3547)
- Fraud Hotline: 082 450 9539
- Official Website: www.samwumed.org
Call Centre & Walk-In Hours
- Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 16:00
- Weekends & Public Holidays: Closed (24/7 coverage provided for emergency medical services)
Head Office & Postal Address
Physical Address (Cape Town Walk-In Centre)
Corner Trematon & Lascelles Streets
Athlone, Cape Town
7760
South Africa
Postal Address
P.O. Box 134
Athlone
7760
South Africa
Departmental Contact Details & Email Addresses
For specific enquiries, claims, and authorisations, contact the relevant department directly using the contact details below:
| Department / Service | Phone Number | Dedicated Email Address |
| General Member Queries | 0860 104 117 | [email protected] |
| Claims Submissions | 0860 104 117 | [email protected] |
| Hospital Pre-Authorisation | 0860 33 33 87 / 0861 100 220 | [email protected] |
| Chronic Medication & Pharmacy | 0860 33 33 87 / 0861 100 220 | [email protected] |
| Special Motivations | 0860 104 117 | [email protected] |
| Ex-Gratia Applications | 0860 104 117 | [email protected] |
| Member Complaints | 0860 104 117 | [email protected] / [email protected] |
Specialized Service Providers & Emergency Contacts
SAMWUMED partners with specialized healthcare service providers to manage emergency transport, dental, optical, maternity, and chronic care programs:
Emergency Medical Services (24/7)
- Provider: Netcare 911
- Emergency Telephone: 082 911
- Email: [email protected]
Dental Benefits & Care
- Provider: DENIS (Dental Information Systems)
- Telephone: 0860 104 932
- Email: [email protected]
Optical & Eye Care Benefits
- Provider: Preferred Provider Negotiator (PPN)
- Telephone: 041 065 0650
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.ppn.co.za
Maternity Management
- Provider: Tshela Healthcare
- Telephone: 021 003 0256
- Email: [email protected]
HIV Management Programme
- Provider: Aid for AIDS (AfA)
- Telephone: 0860 100 646 / 021 466 1700
- Fax: 0800 600 773 / 021 466 1701
- Email: [email protected]
- Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 17:00
Regional Offices & Walk-In Centres
SAMWUMED operates regional walk-in centres across South Africa where members can resolve claims queries, collect membership cards, request scheme documentation, and update membership profiles.
Johannesburg Regional Office
- Address: Nzunza House, Unit No. 607 & 608, 28 Melle Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
- Email: [email protected]
Durban Regional Office
- Address: 199 Smith Street, Embassy Building, 16th Floor, Room 1608, Durban, 4001
- Email: [email protected]
Pretoria Regional Office
- Address: Unit M0011, 250M Pretorius Street, Pretoria, 0002
- Email: [email protected]
Polokwane Regional Office
- Address: 50 Schoeman Street, Standard Bank Square, Lower Ground, Shop 4, Polokwane
- Email: [email protected]
Complaints & Dispute Resolution Channels
If a query or dispute remains unresolved after contacting customer support, SAMWUMED provides a formal escalation process:
- Internal Escalation: Submit a written complaint to the Principal Officer to request referral to SAMWUMED’s Dispute Committee.
- Council for Medical Schemes (CMS): If the internal dispute process does not resolve the issue, members can lodge an appeal with the medical scheme regulator:
- CMS Email: [email protected]
- CMS Fax: 086 673 2466
- CMS Website:www.medicalschemes.com