We all dread hearing the words “doctor is contracted out of medical aid” when we step into a practitioner’s rooms. But the reality is that more medical professionals are contracting out of medical aid and charging cash rates these days. It also means that in many cases, although not always, the practitioner is charging fees above what your medical aid pays. This means having to fork out cash from your pocket and claiming back from your medical aid only to be reimbursed a portion of what you pay. You may find it frustrating and even upsetting but it is the reality of the private healthcare system in South Africa today. Many claim it is unethical for doctors to be charging higher rates. But is it so?

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