Residents have until March 29 to submit written comments on the draft regulations relating to the proposed increase in fees payable in the new financial year for ambulance, mortuary, and hospital services.

The proposed increase in fees will be 4,9% for the 2024/25 financial year in line with the nationally determined increase which is applicable in all provinces.

The new tariffs will only come into effect once all inputs have been factored in and approval has been given by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

The revised fees will be applicable to all categories of patients.

Patient categories are divided as follows:

• H1 – individuals with an income of less than R70 000 per annum and households with an income less than R100 000 per annum.
• H2 – Individuals 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 equals to R250 000 per annum and household with an income greater than or equals to R350 000 per annum.

In terms of the revised fees, an individual under H1 category who calls an ambulance requiring advanced life support will be charged R160.00 which is R5 more than what 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 as in-patients and out-patients.

The public can access the gazette to make comments on it by visiting Government Printing Works Website using this link https://www.gpwonline.co.za/GPWGazettes.htm   and clicking on Provincial Gazettes.

The document is saved under the name 072 29-2-2024 GautSeparate  published on 29-02-2024.

Residents can also access the document by clicking here.

Alternatively interested parties can access the same document by visiting www.gauteng.gov.za click Health Department under organisation, then go to publication to download the gazette.

Written comments must be submitted by email or hand delivered to emma.mathibedi@gauteng.gov.za  or at the Gauteng Department of Health office at Life Centre Building, 45 Commissioner Street, Marshalltown, Johannesburg during office hours.