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Dental Practices

Dispensing Fee Changes applicable from 1 January 2017

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Government Gazette No. 40515, related to the medicine dispensing fee to be charged by a duly licensed medical practitioner, dentist, practitioner, nurse or other person, registered under the Health Professions Act, has been published on the 23rd of December 2016.

The legislation defines the dispensing fee on SEP (Single Exit Price) items and such fee should not exceed the following:

a) Where the single exit price of a medicine or scheduled substance is less than one hundred and seventeen rand (R117.00), the dispensing fee must not exceed 30% of the single exit price in respect of that medicine or scheduled substance;

b) Where the single exit price of a medicine or scheduled substance is equal to or greater than one hundred and seventeen rand (R117.00), the dispensing fee must not exceed thirty five rand ten cents (R35.10) in respect of that medicine or scheduled substance;

* SEP items from R0 – R116.99, the FEE = 34.20% (lncl. VAT),

* SEP items from R117.00 and higher, the FEE = R40.01 (lncl. VAT)

Approval to implement the new dispensing fee structure on all claims with a service date of 1 January 2017 onwards was received from the following healthcare funders:

* BIMAF

* CareCross

* PICK N PAY

* Rand Mutual

* CIGNA Administered Schemes

* SAB (South African Breweries)

* GEMS (Government Employees Medical Scheme)

PLEASE NOTE: This fee structure will be applied to all SEP governed medicine dispensing claims. This fee structure will also be applied on materials submitted as part of a tariff claim (e.g. 0200, 0201 and 0212 claims) depending on the scheme rate.

Claims submitted to these healthcare funders after the effective date should not attract medicine price related co-payments where the above dispensing fee structure is implemented.

 

Lazy GPs – Get assistance from the Dispensing Genie

On Being Organised

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One of our primary goals at Better Practice Management is to help you run your practice as efficiently as possible by providing articles, resources and educational opportunities.
 
However, we also sometimes offer advice and tips for efficiency in your personal life. We do belive they go hand in hand. How much can you accomplish at work if you are constantly stressed and distracted by everything you need to keep up with outside of the office?
 
Efficiency in your personal life starts with organization.

Here are some popular tips to help you:
 
Have a place for everything and put it there – this is one of the mainstays of being organised, and one that really works. Make a habit of putting things away right after you use them to maintain order and avoid clutter. And while we’re on the subject of clutter – get rid of it! Let go of things you don’t use or need. Spring-cleaning, anyone?
 
To-do Lists/Calendar – whether on paper, computer or mobile phone, lists help you keep track of your appointments, tasks, errands and shopping lists all in one spot. Prioritize items and make sure to include due dates. A couple of the most popular task managers are:
 
Remember the Milk is a popular to-do list that’s everywhere you are: from your phone, to the web, to your Google apps, and more. http://www.rememberthemilk.com/
 
Evernote lets your take notes, sync files across your devices, save webpages, capture inspiration, and share your ideas with friends and colleagues. http://evernote.com/evernote/
 
Delegate – sharing the workload gets things done quicker. Second family and friends to help with tasks and errands. Establish and nurture your support system. Trust members of your team to accomplish the job and remember to thank them.
 
Do you have organisational tips or advice to share? We’d love to hear from you. Send them to info@medinol.co.za.
 
Until next time, keep striving for efficiency in YOUR practice!

Do You Need to Have a Practice Number?

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Are healthcare providers permitted to practice in South Africa without a practice number from PCNS?

The practice number, allocated to all registered healthcare providers is the essential billing code that triggers the process of reimbursement of a claim to either a medical scheme member or service provider. This is in accordance with the requirement of the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998 wherein it is stated that a medical scheme may only reimburse a member or a provider of relevant healthcare services for services rendered against a valid practice code number.

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