Gauteng Health announces revision of patient fees
The department says this is to ensure the financial sustainability of the healthcare system - aligning with the cost-of-living increases and inflation rates.
The emergency unit at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. Picture: Masego Mafata/GroundUp
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Department of Health has announced a revision of the uniform patient fee schedule that will be effected on the first of April.
The new fees will apply to patients receiving treatment at public hospitals and clinics in the province.
The department says this is to ensure the financial sustainability of the healthcare system - aligning with the cost-of-living increases and inflation rates.
Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba says the revised fees will apply to all patients - including medical schemes.
“Essentially in terms of the new tariffs, there’s a 4.4% increase across all categories of patients receiving treatment at State health facilities and differentiated amenities. There’s also a 30% increase in emergency health services. These are charges for major events that require EMS services on site.”
He added that patients will be categorised based on their income level - with those earning less than R70,000 per annum paying the lowest fees.
“In terms of how they will affect the public an example would be an individual earning less than R70,000 per annum or a household with an income of below R100,000 per annum where they require an ambulance with advanced life support, they'll now be charged R170 - which is an increase of R10 from what they're currently paying.”