PHISC

Privacy and Confidentiality Subcommittee

Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 23 October 2002 09hr00 – 10hr00 at Old Mutual, Pinelands, Cape Town

Attendees:

Name Company Contact Number E-mail
Jean le Roux DHS 011 265 5473 jean@dhsolutions.co.za
Peter Bailey IKAT 011 706 1214 peter@dalymorgan.co.za
Chris Cockett Medscheme 083 310 8574 chrisc@medscheme.co.za
Patrick Matshidze CMS 012 431 0514 p.matshidze@medicalschemes.com
Eugene Mackay BHF 011 880 8900 emackay@bhfglobal.com
Venessa Marx Old Mutual 021 509 0269 marxv@oldmutual.com
Pieter Vermeulen Medikredit 011 770 6426 pieterv@medikredit.co.za
Rudolf Visagie DHS 011 690 1019 rudolf@dhsolutions.co.za
James Aphane NHIS (DOH) 012 312 0677 jamesa@health.gov.za
Gugu Shongwe NDOH 012 312 0114 shongg@health.gov.za
Hester Huysamen SASP 012 807 0601 huysamen@icon.co.za
Suraiya Adam SABS 012 428 6680 adamsa@sabs.co.za
Andy Burn DOH 083 407 8616 burna@health.gov.za

1. Welcome
Jean le Roux chaired the meeting and welcomed everyone.

2. Apologies
Virginia Thomas (Medscheme)
Riaan Wiese (Old Mutual rwiese@oldmutual.com)
Jeoff Visser (SABS)

3. Amendments to the minutes of the meeting held on 25th July 2002
Minutes read and accepted.

4. Document with information on Privacy and Confidentiality
Jean discussed currently available documents published on the website.
On www.dhsolutions.co.za/phisc is a section called ‘drafts for comments’
It has a ‘new’ turning ball next to it. These apply to all subcommittees of Phisc, and currently has ‘xml’, ‘HL7’, and ‘Recommendations of the committee on standardisation of data and billing practices. The section for P&C contains minutes of meetings, relevant links, comments and documentation, such as ‘Social health Insurance policy’.
Patric pointed out that P & C section has been submitted to PHISC (Lynn)


5. Patient Rights
Hester submitted World Medical Association bill of rights to PHISC (Natalie), since not available serves no purpose to discuss it.
Rudolf will discuss with Neil options for email notification.
Chris proposed that legal people should review the different proposals and questions whether we can consolidate it.

Eugene agreed and said BHF has a forum that evaluates different contradicting acts, specifically around ethics, and privacy, and we cannot evaluate legally. Basically whoever handles information must be accountable for his actions.

Hester described the “informed consent” where a patient signs with a Doctor which is separate from agreement between a member and funder. The patient agrees to the release of financial information, but not the clinical information.

Peter said the diagnostic indicator is already a release of info, and the funder is required to get this, because they need it.

Patrick said the providers have a problem to get payment from funders and this why coded information has to be agreed upon. A link between diagnosis and procedure and access to this information is required and this is why this committee is necessary to provide input, a standard can provide guidelines.

Chris suggested that people who deal with these matters in different companies to get together.

Peter questioned the mandate of representatives at PHISC, rather than having the decision capable people here.

Andy suggested that we could try to get consensus about contributing proposals without trying to develop yet another new set.

Eugene said that all guidelines must be in line with the constitutional principles and the government is the facilitator, and these need regular reviews.

Patrick said that managed care is going to be regulated and the council will accredit funders.

James suggested that we feed results through to SABS.

6. General
Jean gave notice as chairperson, meaning that a new chairperson has to be elected at the next meeting in January 2003.

7. Closure
Meeting Closed.