Billing Policy

1. Practice Registration Details

2. Fee Structure

Dr. Carla Els charges fees in accordance with the current applicable medical tariff guidelines. Consultation fees are set at the discretion of the practice and are charged at contracted out-of-medical-aid rates. These fees may exceed your scheme's reimbursement rate — the patient or guardian is responsible for any shortfall.

Fee schedule — effective 1 February 2026

• This is a cash practice. The practice does not charge medical aid rates.
• Medical aid tariffs are charged for chronic medication application forms, repeat and new scripts, motivation letters, telephonic consultations, and letters for immigration.
• A payment arrangement is in place with Discovery for the Executive Plan.
• Dr Els is a paediatrician qualified in pulmonology and allergies, and also consults with adults.

Fees for any procedure not listed above are available on request from the practice. Please contact us prior to your appointment if you require a fee estimate.

Where two or more siblings are seen at the same consultation, a discount of R500 is applied to the second child's account.

3. Accepted Payment Methods

• Credit Card
• Debit Card
• Cash

The practice is fully paperless. Invoices and statements are issued electronically. Payment is due on the day of consultation unless prior arrangements have been made.

4. Medical Aid

Dr. Carla Els charges private rates. The practice accepts most major South African medical aid schemes. However, the patient or their guardian is responsible for submitting claims to their medical aid scheme directly — the practice does not submit claims on your behalf. Settlement of the account remains the responsibility of the patient or their guardian regardless of the outcome of the medical aid claim.

Dr. Carla Els is a contracted provider on the Discovery Health Executive Plan. Patients on other schemes should confirm applicable benefits, sub-limits with their scheme before attending.

The practice cannot accept responsibility for claims that are declined, partially paid, subject to waiting periods, or applied to a savings account.

5. Shortfalls

Where the practice fee exceeds your scheme's reimbursement rate, you will be liable for the difference. Shortfalls are payable upfront, prior to or on the day of the consultation.

6. Uninsured / Self-Pay Patients

Patients without medical aid, or those electing to pay privately, are required to settle their account in full on the day of consultation. Please advise the practice at the time of booking so that the relevant fee schedule can be communicated in advance.

7. Outstanding Accounts

Accounts not settled within 30 days of the invoice date may attract interest and may be referred to a collections agency. The practice reserves the right to decline non-urgent appointments until outstanding balances are resolved.

8. Cancellation Policy

A minimum of 24 hours' notice is required for appointment cancellations or rescheduling. Appointments cancelled without adequate notice, or where the patient does not attend without prior notification, may be subject to a cancellation fee at the discretion of the practice.

9. Billing Queries

For all billing and account queries, please contact the practice directly: