Gauteng public hospital fees increase by 4.9%
The Gauteng Department of Health has increase patient fees in public hospitals by 4.9%. Here’s what you need to know.
The Gauteng Department of Health has increased patient fees in public hospitals by 4.9% for the 2024/2025 financial year.
The new uniform fees came into effect on 1 May.
GAUTENG HEALTH REVISES PATIENT FEES
The Gauteng Department of Health revised tariffs following the public consultation process in March.
During the process, interested persons and stakeholders were given until 29 March to submit written comments and representations
on the gazetted draft regulations relating to uniform patient fees payable for public hospitals, Emergency Medical Services, Mortuaries, and Differentiated Amenities (Folateng Wards).
Gauteng Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said the revised fees would apply to all categories of patients, medical schemes, Road Accident Fund, Workman’s Compensation, intergovernmental organs such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), non-subsidised categories of foreign nationals treated at State Health Facilities and differentiated amenities and all subsidised patients within the following categories except for those categories that are exempted or qualify for free services:
• H1 – Individuals with an income of less than R70 000 per annum and households with an income less than R100 000 per annum.
• H2 – People with an income less than R250 000 per annum and households with an income less than R350 000 per annum.
• H3 – Individuals with an income greater than or equal to R250 000 per annum and households with an income greater than or equal to R350 000 per annum.
ADJUSTMENTS ARE IN LINE WITH COST-OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS
Modiba said that regarding the revised fees, an individual under the H1 category who calls an ambulance requiring advanced life support will be charged R160, which is R5 more than they are currently paying.
The same H1 category patient who accesses services at a provincial hospital and consults a specialist practitioner will be charged R95 per visit compared to R90 currently.
“The Uniform Patient Fee Schedule billing system ensures a simplified charging mechanism for public hospitals, hospital mortuaries, and ambulance services, and it provides a transparent and consistent fee structure for the treatment of patients, both in-patients and out-patients.
“This adjustment takes into account the cost-of-living adjustments and the inflation rate. The annual review of the patient fees is implemented in line with the requirements of Treasury Regulations 7.3.1 and the Public Finance Management Act No.1 of 1999. These regulations mandate the accounting officer of an institution to review all fees, charges, rates, scales, or tariffs that are not fixed by law and relate to revenue accruing to a revenue fund,” Modiba added.