# Healthcare block exemptions

- Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/healthcare-block-exemptions/
- Published: 2025-02-25T15:09:08+02:00
- Author: dearSA

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![Minister of Trade, Industry & Competition Parks Tau has opened the door to potentially
lower healthcare costs, with the National Health Insurance (NHI) still years away
from full implementation.](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/
2025/02/23142148/comp-commission-health.jpg "comp commission health")

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### **0**** **comments delivered to the government so far

### The Minister of Trade, Industry & Competition has called for public comment on the draft Interim Block Exemption for Tariffs Determination in the Healthcare sector.

This exemption would allow healthcare providers, funders, and other stakeholders
to collectively determine tariffs for healthcare services, diagnosis and treatment
codes, and quality metrics.

click the link for more info, or scroll down to have your say

[ click to view info, statements, documents and videos](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/healthcare-block-exemptions/summary)

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![D-icon](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/11192438/
D-icon-40x40-1.png "D-icon-40x40")

This exemption would allow healthcare providers, funders, and other stakeholders
to collectively determine tariffs for healthcare services, diagnosis and treatment
codes, and quality metrics. It would ultimately give them greater power when dealing
with hospitals and drug companies, achieving better prices and benefitting medical
aid members.

The proposed interim block exemption aims to address this by enabling a structured,
multilateral tariff determination process.

“A multi-stakeholder tariff determination framework for healthcare services is at
the centre of the proposed interim block exemption consistent with the recommendations
of the HMI,” said the DTIC.

“This will contribute to the long-term goal of reducing costs, promoting universal
access to health and enhancing the quality of healthcare.”

The Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) has reservations about the new dispensation.

The BHF is concerned that the Department of Health would manage the block exemption
negotiation process, arguing that it is actively keeping private healthcare expensive
to justify the NHI.

It also argued that to make private healthcare more affordable, the Competition 
Commission should grant exemptions to allow medical schemes to negotiate tariffs
with healthcare providers.
 _[BussinessTech](https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/812167/big-changes-for-medical-aid-prices-coming-for-south-africa/)_

[View more info ](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/healthcare-block-exemptions/summary)