Clinical practice guides
Software evaluation, patient records, clinical documents and medical aid administration for South African doctors. Published by Sphygmos, with source references and update dates. Check current requirements before acting.
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Choosing and evaluating software
Patient records, consent and privacy
POPIA for Medical Practices: What the Act Requires of Doctors
What POPIA requires of a South African medical practice: health information rules, consent, security safeguards, breach notification and penalties.
How Long to Keep Medical Records in South Africa: HPCSA Rules
How long to keep medical records in South Africa: the HPCSA six-year rule, longer periods for minors and occupational health, storage and ownership.
Informed Consent Requirements in South Africa: The Legal Rules
Informed consent requirements in South Africa: what the National Health Act demands, when others may consent, and the Children's Act rules for under 18s.
Telemedicine Rules in South Africa: What the HPCSA Allows
What the HPCSA telehealth guidelines allow and require in South Africa: registration, consent, prescribing rules and when doctors may consult online.
Medical aid, coding and authorisation
PMB Motivation Letters: A Practical Guide for SA Doctors
PMB motivation letters: the legal basis medical schemes must honour, when they must pay in full, ICD-10 coding requirements and the CMS escalation route.
ICD-10 Codes in South Africa: A Doctor's Guide to Clean Medical Aid Claims
How ICD-10 coding works on South African medical aid claims: the WHO code set, the Master Industry Table, common rejection causes and what a wrong code costs.
Medical Aid Claim Rejected: Why It Happens and What It Costs
The common reasons South African medical schemes reject claims, the 30-day and four-month rules that govern rejections, and what they cost a practice.
Chronic Medication Authorisation: A Guide for SA Doctors
Chronic medication authorisation in South Africa: what schemes must cover under the Medical Schemes Act, CDL registration and Regulation 8 limits.
NHRPL Tariff Codes Explained: Medical Aid Billing Codes in SA
What NHRPL tariff codes are, where South Africa's reference price list came from, why courts set it aside in 2010, and how schemes set rates today.
Clinical letters and statutory documents
Sick Note Requirements in South Africa: The BCEA and HPCSA Rules
Sick note rules in South Africa: when an employer may demand a medical certificate, who may issue one, and what it must contain under the BCEA and HPCSA.
Referral Letter Requirements in South Africa for Doctors
Referral letter requirements in South Africa: the clinical content specialists and schemes expect, HPCSA rules and when funding depends on a GP referral.
The RAF 4 Serious Injury Assessment Report: A Practical Guide for South African Doctors
A practical guide for SA doctors completing the RAF 4: the Regulation 3 sequence, whole person impairment (AMA Guides 6th ed) and the narrative test.
COIDA Medical Reports: The Doctor's Guide to W.Cl.4, W.Cl.5 and Injury-on-Duty Claims
How South African doctors complete COIDA medical reports: W.Cl.4 first medical reports, W.Cl.5 progress reports, causation opinions and payment.
Section 21 SAHPRA Applications: Accessing Unregistered Medicines in South Africa
A guide for South African doctors to Section 21 SAHPRA applications: unregistered medicines, supporting documents, responsibilities and reporting requirements.