n CME : Your SA Journal of CPD - GP affairs

Abstract

Extracted from text ... MEDICAL SCHEMES PREFERRED PROVIDER AGREEMENTS COULD SERIOUSLY COMPROMISE DOCTORS' AND PATIENTS' RIGHTS The Medical and Dental Professions Board (MDPB) of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is concerned that patients' rights to choose their medical doctor freely, and without any additional financial burden, could be severely compromised if schemes are allowed to sign agreements exclusively with selected doctors as designated service providers (DSP) in health care. The MDPB of the HPCSA, the regulatory body for doctors, in August 2000 resolved that it had no objection in principle to a medical aid scheme notifying its members of DSP agreements ..