The changes include a patient fee hike of 4.4% from next month, according to a statement issued on 17 March 2025 by the Gauteng Department of Health.
The proposed hikes will only come into effect once approved by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. Here’s how you will be affected if patient fees for public healthcare rise next month.
PATIENT FEE HIKES FOR PUBLIC HEALTHCARE IN GAUTENG
According to the province’s health department, the patient fee hikes “follow the gazetting of the proposed tariffs at the end of February 2025.” The public and stakeholders were given until 13 March 2025 to “submit written comments and representations on the gazetted draft regulations regarding patient fees.”
These increases in patient fees were applicable to the following:
- Public hospitals
- Emergency Medical Services
- Mortuaries
- Differentiated Amenities (Folateng Wards)
Some tariffs will surge by up to 30% from 1 April 2025.
“A 4.4% increase across all categories of patients receiving treatment at state health facilities and differentiated amenities. A 30% increase in Emergency Health Services Standby tariffs. These are charges for major events requiring EMS services on site in compliance with SASRIA Act,” the statement detailed.
WHICH CATEGORY OF PATIENTS WILL THESE FEE HIKES APPLY TO?
The new patient fee hikes will apply to:
- Medical schemes
- Road Accident Fund
- Workman’s Compensation
- Intergovernmental organs such as the South African Police Service (SAPS)
- Non-subsidised foreign nationals treated at State Health Facilities
- Subsidised patients – excluding those who qualify for free services
The patient categories is as follows:
- H1: Individuals earning less than R70 000 annually and households with an income not more than R100 000 per year.
- H2: Individuals with an annual earning of less than R250 000 and households with an income below R350 000 per year.
- H3: Individuals and households earning R250 000 or more annually.
SO HOW MUCH WILL PATIENTS ACTUALLY PAY FROM APRIL?
Individuals affected by the proposed patient fee hikes will have to pay varying amounts depending on the healthcare service required.
“In terms of the revised fees, an individual in the H1 category requiring an ambulance with advanced life support will now be charged R170, an increase of R10.
“Similarly, an H1 patient consulting a specialist practitioner at a provincial hospital will be charged R95 per visit,” the statement explained.
The heath department further stated that these patient fee hikes align with the “cost-of-living increases and inflation rates, ensuring the financial sustainability of the healthcare system.”
Also, the implementation of these increases is in accordance with Treasury Regulations 7.3.1 and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) No.1 of 1999.
WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE PATIENT FEE HIKES IN GAUTENG?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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