Fees and payments

Please note that I am contracted to certain medical aids and charge rates according to Healthman Tariff Guidelines. Please call to enquire about private rates.

Appointment cancellations and “no shows”

It is important for your own healthcare that you honour the appointments made with this practice. If you do not cancel your appointment at least 24 working hours in advance, or do not arrive for your appointment, you will be charged for the missed consultation.

Guiding policies and regulations

At your first consultation the psychiatry practice will provide you with a terms and conditions form (compliant with the Consumer Protection Act and POPI Act), a copy of our billing policy, a consent to disclosure form, and a patient consent to treatment form. It is our intention to act with integrity and respect your rights, while maintaining the highest professional standards.

Communication

For administrative or urgent queries, please contact my receptionist at +27 21 852 8836. Kindly note that as per the service contract you may be billed for any administrative tasks that take place outside of a consultation.

In case of emergency or for urgent, after-hours problems, please present to your nearest emergency unit. The emergency unit doctor will have access to the on-call psychiatrist that provides cover for patients seen in this psychiatric practice. You can also phone any of the helplines listed on the Resources page.

I monitor electronic communication, such as emails and text messages, during working hours only. This service is for quick enquiries and questions (e.g. side effects of new medication) and can’t ever be a replacement of a consultation.

Administrative questions/requests (e.g. medical aid administration, repeat prescriptions, new/follow-up appointments, etc.) should be directed to the receptionist at reception.drkobusvanderwalt@gmail.com.

E-mail communications should only be used if the matter is not urgent, as it might take up to 5 working days to respond to e-mails. E-mails longer that 5 sentences will not be read unless the sender of the e-mail indicates that he/she is willing to be charged an additional electronic consultation fee for the time taken to read and respond to the e-mail. If the matter can’t be solved via e-mail, the sender might be requested to rather make a follow-up appointment or given the option of having a telephonic consultation which will be billed for additionally.