Knowledge Hub
Categories:
- Allergy [1]
- Antimicrobials & infection [5]
- Autoimmune [1]
- Chemical Pathology [15]
- Endocrinology [1]
- Epidemiology [3]
- Gastrointestinal [2]
- Genetics [6]
- Genitourinary [2]
- Haematology [9]
- HIV/TB [3]
- Infectious Diseases [10]
- Neurology [4]
- Obstetric and Neonatal care [4]
- Oncology [1]
- Ophthalmology [1]
- Respiratory [2]
- Serology [3]
- Virology [44]
With regard to Designated Service Provider (DSP) Contracts the following law is pertinent for service providers who are not a DSP:
- In terms of Section 59 (2) of the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998 the medical scheme must pay valid invoices within 30 days of receipt thereof or advise both the member and service provider of reasons why the invoice is not valid and provide the opportunity to correct the invoice.
- Where services are in respect of medical emergencies or involuntarily obtained services for PMB conditions, the scheme has to pay for the full cost of the services provided without deduction or co-payment or limiting the tariff amount. (Regulation 8 (1) of the Medical Schemes Act no. 131 of 1998.)
- DOH notice 214 of 2021 requires that a scheme pays for services provided at the same rate and in terms of the same rules as they pay their DSPs in respect of services voluntarily obtained, whether they are PMBs or not.
- The process followed in respect of appointing a DSP is required to be fair, equitable, transparent, competitive or cost effective as required in terms of Notice 214 of the DOH.
In summary:
- The law protects the patient’s choice to use their laboratory of choice, even if it is not a DSP, and the scheme is still obliged to reimburse us at the scheme rate for valid claims.
- This is true for PMB conditions as well as non-PMB conditions.
- The medical scheme must pay valid invoices within 30 days or advise both the member and service provider of reasons why the invoice is not valid and provide the opportunity to correct invoice.
- A scheme must pay for the services provided at a tariff not less than what they would pay a DSP.
- Should any patient have a valid claim rejected because we are not a DSP, we can assist.
Respiratory Pathogen Statistics June 2026
This report is a summary of the results obtained from various molecular respiratory panels performed across PathCare laboratories during June 2026
Testing for Hep B Virus: Information for renal units
Outbreaks of HBV in renal units are still reported, and often there is evidence that these have been caused by lapses in high standards of infection control practice. The most important method of prevention of transmission of blood borne viruses is the rigorous application of universal infection control precautions.
Respiratory Pathogen Statistics May 2026
This report is a summary of the results obtained from various molecular respiratory panels performed across PathCare laboratories during May 2026
NPG Respiratory Pathogen Statistics Q1
This report summarises respiratory pathogen PCR panel results for specimens submitted for testing to the private pathology practices that are members of the NPG from January to March 2026.
Update on Diagnosis of Prosthetic Joint Infections (PJI)
Serum biomarkers of infection such as CRP, ESR, synovial fluid leucocyte count and neutrophil percentage are useful tests to support the diagnosis of PJI
Western Cape Antimicrobial Surveillance Data for Blood-Stream Infections that are frequently associated with Hospital-acquired Infections 2022 – 2025
This update is a report of the PathCare susceptibility data for key surveillance organisms isolated from blood culture samples, taken from patients in the Western Cape, over a four-year period, 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2025.
Respiratory Pathogen Statistics April 2026
This report is a summary of the results obtained from various molecular respiratory panels performed across PathCare laboratories during April 2026
Western Cape Province Antimicrobial Surveillance Data 2025
PathCare antimicrobial susceptibility data for common community-acquired organisms isolated from patients in the Western Cape province during 2025 have been updated.
Update on laboratory testing of ophthalmology samples
Ophthalmology specimens pose unique challenges for diagnostic microbiology. Samples should be optimally collected and transported to the laboratory. A special ophthalmology specimen collection pack and request form is available to facilitate optimal testing.