Revamped PCNS brings more transparency and convenience for service providers
The rebranded Practice Code Numbering System (PCNS) brings greater transparency and
alignment between healthcare service providers (HSP), who are the suppliers of healthcare
and medical schemes, who funds and facilitates the payment.
The practice code number is a unique number allotted to a relevant and registered
healthcare supplier who renders services in South Africa, Namibia and Lesotho.
The service promotes a uniform, national and legally constituted HSP identifier for billing
purposes and is an important aspect in the process of reimbursing claims to either medical
schemes member or HSPs.
Lamees Scholtz, head of PCNS said “We are releasing the first phase of our online services
which will enable HSPs to submit a new application, and facilitate HSPs to link, view and
update their existing practice code number.”
Scholtz advised that the PCNS Client Service unit serves as the point of contact which
aspires to achieve first-time service resolution. The online service aims to be the primary
platform in which HSPs engage the PCNS and enable them to query the status of their
practice code numbers in real-time.
Scholtz said there has been changes in the legislative environment has evolved and thus the
alignment of systems is necessary. The PCNS serves the healthcare sector as a neutral
party subservient to the constitutional principles of creating the right to access relevant
healthcare services.The PCNS ensures that suppliers have valid accreditation and only allot a practice code number to suppliers who are registered, or licensed for independent practice, by the appropriate statutory body or licensing authority. The PCNS reviews and updates all
healthcare services annually to ensure the adherence of accreditation for the ongoing
facilitation of payment.
The Board of Healthcare Funders of Southern Africa administers the PCNS in South Africa,
Namibia and Lesotho. And in terms of section 59 (1) of the Medical Schemes Act (Act 131 of
1998) and regulations 1 and 5, in South Africa.
The rebrand of the PCNS is a commitment by BHF to foster an enabling healthcare
ecosystem through the use of information, ease of data exchange between all key health
sector stakeholders and a connected, sustainable healthcare system for all healthcare
citizens. BHF sees this as an important step towards improving the governance of the healthcare system.
To access the PCNS website, please follow: https://www.pcns.co.za/
Note to editors: The BHF is a representative body of the healthcare funding industry. BHF
members include medical schemes, administrators and managed care organisations in
Malawi, South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho.
For more information and interviews contact:
Nhlanhla Kubeka
frayintermedia: Account manager
Tel: +27 11 888 0140
Cell: +27 79 847 8975
Email: nkubeka@frayintermedia.com
Zola Mtshiya
Board of healthcare funders of Southern Africa: Head: Stakeholder Relations
Tel: +27 11 537 0236
Email: zolam@bhfglobal.com