ADSA executive committee updates

ADSA executive committee

UPDATES

With the year rushing to an end, we took a moment to pause and reflect on the 2021-2023 ADSA executive committee’s activities over the past 18 months. Short presentations on the individual portfolio activities and achievements can be viewed on ADSA’s website (www.adsa.org.za), demonstrating how ADSA continues to serve the interests of dietitians in South Africa and promote the nutritional wellbeing of the community. We extend a word of appreciation to the executive committee, branch committees, our spokespersons and all ADSA members who have contributed towards the representation and development of our profession.

ADSA PPD

COMPENSATION FOR OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES AND DISEASES

Although dietitians were listed as service providers to this group of patients, the Compensation Fund has not yet activated the Gazetted codes as a result of a matter between the IT company that writes the codes for the new tariffs and the Compensation Fund. The matter is being followed up and the promise is that the matter should be resolved soon. Dietitians are however encouraged to continue sending through claims as these will all be paid as soon as the codes are activated. The Government Gazette as well as the document describing the tariff codes and procedures for report writing can be found on the ADSA website: https://www.adsa.org.za/

NEW MEDICAL AID TARIFFS FOR 2023

At the beginning of each year ADSA receives numerous queries to provide new tariff codes. Software companies/ practice management systems automatically update the new tariffs on the systems of clients. In the case where a dietitian does not make use of an official practice management system, tariffs can be obtained from each fund’s website if you are registered as a service provider.

ETHICAL BILLING PRACTICES

All private practicing dietitians are reminded that the current billing system is time based and that services rendered should be according to time spent. Funders are realising the importance of non-face time as part of the execution of the Nutrition Care Process. Therefore, adding a reasonable non-face time for planning to the time billed for, is acceptable. However, funders compare each service provider’s billing pattern with that of peers and will perform an audit if general billing does not align with that of peers. In addition, meticulous record keeping is essential and required by the HPCSA. If dietitians work in hospitals, each provider needs their own set of records, as the hospital records alone will not suffice. Please refer to

the HPCSA Ethics Booklet for more information: https://www.hpcsa.co.za/ Uploads/Professional_Practice/Ethics_ Booklet.pdf

ADSA SECRETARY MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME

We were very excited to launch the ADSA Mentorship Programme earlier this year. The aim of the programme is to provide guidance, support and advice on a voluntary person-to-person basis. From individual personal information, we match mentees and mentors with similar interests to optimise the benefits of this initiative. Each mentee-mentor pair is able to customize their mentoring approach and format.

WHO IS THIS INITIATIVE AIMED AT?

If you are at an early stage in your career, considering a change in your career path or at any stage of your career where you would like to connect with another dietitian for guidance and support, you are invited to subscribe to this initiative as a mentee. Dietitians who have some experience in the field, a special interest or expertise in an area of work or with a passion for personal growth and development are invited to subscribe as mentors. Due to the success of the programme, we will be facilitating a second round of mentoring in 2023.

Applications will open in February 2023 for commencement in March 2023. For further information, please contact

secretaryadsaexec@gmail.com

ADSA PUBLIC RELATIONS

ADSA’s PR team has been extremely busy during the third quarter of 2022. The following media releases were compiled and distributed to media across the country:

July August September

CORPORATE WELLNESS & HYBRID WORKING WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK KIDNEY HEALTH

In July and August alone, ADSA responded to numerous media releases and ad hoc media requests, and our spokespeople were featured in 148 media clippings across print and online media, radio, and television, reaching a potential audience of over 84 million people. The media coverage reports provide further details and can be viewed here:

LINK 1

LINK 2 https://www.redbook.co.za/share/ book/1a53eba1f9d6b4f6417398005ba9d615

https://www.redbook.co.za/share/book/ b34eabe22b38a7c21f20987e19d0a1c9

If anyone is interested in becoming an ADSA spokesperson, please email Retha Harmse

adsapublicrelations@gmail.com