Health department publishes new tariffs for health care in Limpopo
LIMPOPO – The new tariffs for health services have been published by the Limpopo Department of Health.
According to spokesperson Kapudi Moagi, the new tariffs have been applicable from April 7.
He says those who can afford to pay for healthcare services, whether partially or fully, have a moral and civic responsibility to do so.
The department uses an income-based billing system to decide how much you should pay for public healthcare services.
Patients are grouped as follows:
Free healthcare
• Patients who are treated for certain conditions like communicable diseases (such as TB, HIV) or meet the free healthcare criteria.
• Elderly people, who are social grant recipients, disability grant recipients, foster child grant, patient with mental disorders, veteran pensioners, children placed in orphanage facilities.
• Children under the age of 6 years, pregnant and lactating women who are not covered by a medical aid scheme.
All healthcare services are also free at primary healthcare facilities such as clinics, gateway clinics and community healthcare facilities.
Low-Income Households (greatly subsidised)
• A single income of up to R70 000 per year or R5 833 per month.
• A household income of up to R100 000 per year or R8 333 per month.
• Greatly subsidised fees (they pay less for services).
Middle-income households (partially subsidised)
• Single income of between R70 001 and R250 000 per year or R5 833 to R20 833 per month.
• Household income of between R100 001 and R350 000 per year or R8 333 to R29 166 per month.
• Partially subsidised fees – they pay more than low-income but not full tariffs.
The above subsidy applies only to those who are not funded by medical schemes or insurance paid for by employers or any other funder.
Full-paying patients – high-income
• Single person earning more than R250 000 per year, which is over R20 833 per month.
• Household income of more than R350,000 per year which is over R29 166 per month
• Full cost of services – no subsidies
Moagi said the updated patient fee schedule ensures that those who can afford to pay do so, allowing the department to subsidise care for the poor and keep essential services running.
'By paying your share, you are helping someone who cannot. This revision is a necessary step to keep the public healthcare system sustainable, fair, and accessible for the most vulnerable in our communities.'
For more information, visit www.ldoh.gov.za
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