The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
A survey by The Sunday Mail has established that most patients seeking the services of specialist doctors are having to settle exorbitant shortfalls despite being members of medical aid societies. Most gynaecologists are charging from US$80 to US$90 for first-visit consultation and up to US$40 for reviews.
Medical aid societies are in most cases only paying US$50 for the first consultation and US$30 for subsequent check-ups, leaving patients to settle the balance.
Most dentists have pegged their first-time consultation fees at between US$15 and US$40 and up to US$100 for check-ups.
The amounts vary depending on the tooth type. For instance, it costs US$100 to have a molar checked.
Patients on medical aid are invariably making co-payments of US$20.
Most paediatricians are demanding initial consultation fees of US$100, leaving medical aid members with US$65 shortfalls.
Subsequent visits to most paediatricians cost US$60.
