GUIDELINES RELATING TO FEES FOR DOCTORS WORKING IN PART-TIME OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH APPOINTMENTS IN INDUSTRY

1.    Introduction

Fees charged by doctors working in industry should be negotiated directly between the employing industry/ factory and the doctor concerned, dependant on the qualification and expertise of the doctor, and on supply and demand issues in the specific geographical area.   There is no specific tariff and SASOM gives approximate figures as an estimate of what is currently charged by the profession for these services.

2. Sessional appointments

Part time occupational medical services are normally based on an all-inclusive hourly rate and not on a fee per consultation. SASOM members in good standing are entitled to a guideline on relevant tariffs that is calculated each year by experts on the SASOM Executive Committee

2.1 General practitioners doing predominantly primary health care at factory clinics can not expect the same fees as a qualified Occupational Medical Practitioner.

2.2 Medical practitioners with a qualification in occupational medicine, as defined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, providing clinical occupational health services (pre-employment and periodic health examinations, biological monitoring, job ability assessment, diagnosis of occupational diseases, and other work related clinical matters can generally negotiate a higher tariff per hour.

3.  Important notes

3.1 It is recommended that all occupational medical practitioners in industry should make the SASOM publication “Guideline on ethical and professional conduct for occupational health practitioners” available to their companies. This publication is available from our National Office.

3.2 Traveling fees

3.2.1   The Society does not recommend charging traveling expenses for travel less than 50km traveled in own car from home/office. It is recommended that fees set by an independent body such as the AA be used as a starting point for vehicle costs.

3.2.2    If more than one factory/company would be attended to during the course of a trip, the full traveling expenses must be divided between the relevant  factories/ companies.

3.2.3.    For voluntarily scheduled services, fees for traveling expenses may only be charged where the factory / company and the practitioner have entered into an agreement to this effect.