Scale of Fees > Annual Increase in Medical Tariffs for Medical Service Providers - 2026 > Wound Care & Blood Services Gazette 2026 > Wound Care Tariff of Fees as from 1 April 2026 (Practice Type 088)

General Rules
Rule	Rule Description
001	The service of a registered wound care nurse shall be available only on written referral by the treating doctor. The medical treating doctor must clearly indicate the reason for the referral, relationship to the original injury. The referral may be on the service provider's (Wound care Practitioner) letterhead, provided it is signed by the referring doctor.
002	Medical invoices should be accompanied by medical reports.
003	Wound care services should be rendered to Out-patients only.
004	Service dates claimed for should not overlap to the following month.
005	Travel fee: Please note that the Fund does not accept the responsibility for transport expenses, as they are deemed to be included in the fee.

Rules for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
Rule	Rule Description
006	The service of a registered wound care nurse shall be available only on written referral by a treating doctor. The medical treating doctor must clearly indicate the reason for the referral, wound summary (size/depth, wound type, expected outcome), photos (dated and identifiable against the patient), cost and duration request, relationship to the original injury. The referral may be on the service providers (wound care practitioner) letterhead, provided it is signed by the referring doctor. New code 88302 should be used on charges for materials used in treatment for NPWT List of items to be reflected in the invoice. May not be billed with 88301.
007	Out-patient: Patients will be allowed up to 10 sessions pre-authorised for NPWT services. However, the treating Nurse must submit monthly progress reports, a referral letter from the Medical Doctor and initial treatment plan with the invoice to the Compensation Fund. All the cases are subject to case management.
	Note: After a series of treatments prescribed by the medical practitioner, the Wound Care Nurse should refer the employee back to the treating medical practitioner.
008	The initial request and subsequent updates up to 12 weeks must be managed at case management level. Requests for extended NPWT for more than 12 weeks must be Authorised with a motivation letter from the treating doctor with the correct dates of the images that need to be reviewed.

Tariff Code

Code

Code Description

RAND

88002

Per 60 minutes:

The first consultation, counselling, assessment, training and full history of the patient is taken:

-	Current use of medication,

-	Patients with other underlying metabolic diseases

-	HIV positive patients & those taking immunosuppressant drugs

-	Patients with infected wounds, swabs or tissue samples to be taken to the laboratory for culture and sensitivity.

-	Training & education in elevation of injured limbs is also covered.

-	Patient education on wound healing and nutrition

870.45

88001

Per 30 minutes:

The first consultation, counselling, assessment, training and full history of the patients with minimal factors which may influence healing.

435.23

88040

Per 30 minutes:

Treatment of simple wounds / burns requiring dressing only, assessing suture lines in uncomplicated patients.

No additional time should be allocated to this code.

189.71

88041

Per 30 minutes:

Treatment of extensive wounds / burns requiring extensive nursing management e.g., irrigation, etc

Ongoing wound assessment and education with every visit.

457.54

88411

Additional time - for additional 15 minutes

Can only be billed with 88041

122.76

88020

Per specimen.

This included correct collection of material, swab or tissue, completion of documentation and speedy delivery to laboratory. Ensuring copies of reports to relevant team members are received and acted upon.

Specimen type should be stated where applicable.

122.76

88042

Per 30 minutes:

Treatment of moderate wounds / Burns without complications. eg. drains or fistula and insertion of sutures.

Ongoing wound assessment and education with every visit.

245.52

880421

Additional time - for additional 15 minutes

Can only be billed with 88042

122.76

LIMITED BILATERAL NON-EVASIVE PHYSIOLOGIC STUDIES OF UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITY ARTERIES

88046

Per Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI).

Involves testing systolic blood pressure on both arms and both legs with a hand held Doppler. Interpretation of results will determine if patient requires referral to vascular surgeon and if compression bandaging is suitable.

278.99

88047

Trans cutaneous Oxygen pressure (TcPO2).

Measured by a trans cutaneous oxymeter. This measures the oxygen pressure in and around injured tissue, also used in lower limb assessment where arterial incompetence is suspected. Accurate indicator arterial disease and expected would healing.

624.94

88049

Emergency / Urgent / unplanned treatment

245.52

Wound Packs

88301

Cost of material and special medicine used in treatment. Charges for medicine used in treatment not to exceed the retail Ethical Price List

88302

Cost of material and special medicine used in NPWT treatment. Charges for medicine used in treatment not to exceed the retail Ethical Price List

List of Materials

1.	Skin closure strips

2.	Fast setting bandages

3.	Disposable Dressings Kit

Micropore

5.	Wound plast

6.	Orthopaedic wool bandage

7.	Surgical tape

8.	Stockinette

9.	Ribbon gauze

10.	Cotton wool

11.	Crepe bandage

12.	Elastic adhesive bandage

13.	Zinc oxide adhesive plaster

14.	Absorbent gauze and gauze swabs

15.	Elastoplast

16.	Cleaning/infusion solution

17.	Dressing tray

18.

Ointment

19.

Gloves

20.

Face mask

21.	Protective sheet

22.	Protective apron

23.	Foam Dressing kit (S, M, L, XL)

24.	Canister (300ml, 500ml, 1000ml)

25.	Y connectors

26.	Gel Strips

27.	Instillation Cassette/trackpad duo/dressing

28.	Wound Crown

29.	Diagnostic Imaging

30.	Disposable Cartridge 150cc

31.	Open Abdomen Dressing kit

Standard clinical protocol for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT).

Protocol for practical, hospital or clinic use or can be adapted to agreed specific devices

Protocol: Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)

Purpose

•	To promote wound healing by applying controlled negative pressure to the wound bed, reducing oedema, removing exudate, improving perfusion, and stimulating granulation tissue formation.

•	End point - wound closure by day 5 or after a maximum number of 10 sessions, after which MSPs must request authorisation for further treatments

•	Clinical benefit - wound closure and freedom from any bleeding, wound infection, sepsis, or amputation of a limb etc.

•

Patient to receive prophylactic antibiotic treatment e.g. Cefazolin or amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid. Metronidazole or gentamicin added for patients with open fractures. Fractures were immobilised by external fixation. Where necessary, the treating surgeon to change the dressings in the operating theatre every 3-5 days and do further wound debridement if needed.

2.	Indications

NPWT may be used for:

•	Acute and chronic wounds

•	Diabetic foot ulcers Pressure injuries

•	Surgical wounds (open or dehisced)

•	Traumatic wounds

•	Skin grafts and flaps

•	Partial-thickness burns (selected cases)

•	As the evidence does not support NPWT for traumatic extremity wounds, clinicians treating such injuries should continue to use standard treatment for wound care.

3.	Contraindications:

Absolute contraindications:

•	Untreated osteomyelitis

•	Malignancy in the wound

•	Necrotic tissue with eschar (until debrided)

•	Non-enteric and unexplored fistulas

•	Exposed vital structures (organs, blood vessels, nerves) without protection

Relative contraindications:

•	Active bleeding or high bleeding risk

•	Anticoagulation therapy

•	Fragile skin

•	Poor patient compliance

4.	Equipment, as per the manufacture, e.g

•	NPWT device (portable or stationary)

•	Foam or gauze dressing (black or white foam as indicated)

•	Transparent adhesive drape

•	Suction tubing and canister

•	Sterile scissors and gloves

•	Wound cleanser (normal saline)

•	Skin barrier or protective dressing

5.	Pre-Procedure Assessment

•	Confirm indication and rule out contraindications

•	Obtain informed consent

•

Assess:

o Wound size, depth, location- provide measurements

o Exudate amount and type, measure, and estimate

o Presence of infection

o Periwound skin condition

•	Manage pain as needed

•	Debride wound if required

Procedure

1.	Perform hand hygiene and use aseptic technique

2.	Cleanse wound with normal saline

3.	Protect peri wound skin with barrier film

4.	Follow manufacturer's instructions for the procedure

5.	Set prescribed negative pressure level

7.	Therapy Settings

•	Typical pressure:

o	Adults: -125 mmHg (range -75 to -150 mmHg)

o	Children/frail patients: lower pressures as indicated

•

Mode:

o	Continuous (initial therapy, high exudate, pain, grafts)

o	Intermittent (after granulation begins)

•	Duration: Continuous therapy unless otherwise ordered

8.	Dressing Change Frequency

•	Every 48-72 hours

•	Every 24 hours if:

o	Infected wound

o	Heavy exudate

•	Skin grafts/flaps: per surgeon's order

9.	Monitoring and Documentation

•	Monitor daily up to 5 days:

o	Seal integrity and pressure delivery

o	Amount and type of exudate

o	Signs of infection or bleeding

o	Patient comfort and pain

•	Document from day 1 up to 5 days:

o	Wound measurements and appearance

o	Pressure settings and mode

o	Dressing changes

o	Patient response

10.	Complications & Management

Complication	Action
Bleeding	Stop therapy, apply pressure, notify provider
Pain	Reduce pressure, assess dressing placement
Skin maceration	Improve seal, protect peri wound skin
Infection	Culture wound, initiate antibiotics if indicated

11.	Discontinuation Criteria

•	Adequate granulation tissue achieved

•	Wound size significantly reduced

•	Transition to another wound therapy

•	Complications requiring cessation

•	Lack of progress after appropriate trial period i.e., 5 days

12.	Patient Education

•	Explain device function and alarms

•	Avoid disconnecting tubing unnecessarily

•	Report pain, bleeding, or device malfunction

•	Maintain mobility as permitted

Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 1993 (Act No. 130 of 1993)

Scale of Fees

Annual Increase in Medical Tariffs for Medical Service Providers - 2026

Wound Care and Blood Services Gazette 2026

Wound Care Tariff of Fees as from 1 April 2026 (Practice Type 088)