Patients Guide

SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT

Prior bookings are not necessary for general x-ray examinations. You are welcome to visit any of our departments without an appointment during business hours for these examinations.

We prefer you to make an appointment for special x-ray examinations and ultrasound examinations as specific preparation for these examinations may be necessary.

Pre-booking is necessary for the following examinations:

  • Mammography
  • Bone densitometry.
  • CT (Computed Tomography)
  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Pre-authorization by your medical aid scheme is mandatory for all of the above mentioned examinations.

  • When making an appointment for a CT/MRI examination, you should have the following available:
  • Medical aid number and dependent code.
  • Date of birth of the patient.
  • Indication or ICD 10 code for the study requested.

On the day of the appointment, please bring the referral note from the doctor and your medical aid card along.

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the appointment time to finalise paper work.

MEDICAL AID AUTHORIZATION

We accept most medical aid funds, but should an account be rejected by your medical aid fund you will be personally responsible for the account.

Although we assist patients in obtaining authorization from their medical aid, the patient/member is ultimately responsible to obtain the authorization.

Authorization from the medical aid is not a guarantee for payment. Payment is subject to funds available. As accounts are submitted to the medical aid, funding which was available at the time of authorization might be depleted when processing the claim and the account then becomes the responsibility of the patient/member.

Patients remain responsible for any co-payments or balances not settled by the medical aid.

Specialised studies including CT scans, MRI scans, mammograms and bone densitometry studies must be approved by the medical aid prior to the examination being performed.

The medical aid funds are not open for authorization after hours, during weekends and on public holidays authorization must be done on the next working day. The patient or guardian must accept responsibility for the account before we can proceed with the examination.

PRIVATE PATIENTS

If you do not belong to an accepted medical aid fund, we require full payment of your account at the time of the examination.

ACCOUNTS

DRS provide services to patients on medical aid schemes as well as to private patients.

Our billing team is committed to providing the best customer service. Accounts will be submitted promptly to the medical aid funds. Should the medical aid fund not pay your claim or part thereof, for whatever reason, you will be required to settle the account with us. Notification will be sent to you by SMS and a copy of the invoice will be sent by email. A statement will be emailed to you for any outstanding amounts due as indicated by your medical aid fund.

Account payment information:

  • For your convenience DRS accepts electronic transfers, credit cards, debit cards, cheques, cash and SnapScan as payment.
  • Payment by foreign currency is not accepted.
  • Always use your account number as reference.

Our banking details for payment are as follows:

Diagnostic Radiological Services Inc.
Standard Bank Account number: 242615546
Branch code: 051001
Please insist on a receipt for all payments!
For any questions regarding your account, please contact us at 011 869 4530 or email us at claims@radiologysa.co.za

WCA (WORKERS CONPENSATION ACT)

Patients injured on duty will be examined by us on condition that the following legal requirements are met.

IN TERMS OF THE WORKMENS COMPENSATION FUND ACT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED:

  • All WCA cases need to have a 1st medical report.
  • Patient ID or Drivers License
  • Non SA citizens must have a Passport containing a valid work permit.
  • Referral Note from referring doctor
  • Copies of all documentation will be made for every case.

Employer Report of an accident (W.CL. 2)

  • Must be completed in full.
  • Must be signed by the employer.
  • The form must be legible.

CT requests

  • The area requested must be related to the area indicated as injured on the WCA form.
  • Must have a 1st medical report attached.
  • Motivation letter from the referring doctor.
  • W.CL. 2 form (Employer Report).
  • Patient ID.
  • Referral note.
  • If documentation is incomplete, the patient must take responsibility for the account.

MRI requests

  • Only MRI spinal region is allowed and only one MRI scan is allowed. If a 2ndfollow up MRI is requested,special approval from the WCA Council is required.
  • Must have a 1st medical report attached.
  • Motivation letter from the referring doctor.
  • W.CL. 2 form (Employer Report).
  • Patient ID.
  • Referral note.
  • If documentation is incomplete, the patient must take responsibility for the account.

FAQs - Patient's Guide

Why do I need a full bladder for a pelvic ultrasound examination?
Sound waves (used in ultrasound), travel more effectively through liquids than through other body parts or air. If the bladder is full, it facilitates a passage of sound waves and acts as a “window” to see the uterus and ovaries lying behind the bladder better.
Why can't I eat or drink anything before my abdominal ultrasound?
Air is introduced into the stomach when you eat, drink or chew gum. Ultrasound waves don’t penetrate well through air, which makes it more difficult to see target organs. Having food may also cause the gall bladder to contract, making it difficult to examine the gallbladder.
What is a radiologist?
A radiologist is a specialist doctor who uses different imaging technologies (such as x-ray radiography, ultrasound, CT and MRI) to diagnose diseases or injuries.
What is a radiographer?
A radiographer is a qualified and registered professional person who operates the different imaging equipment to produce medical images.

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