Dr Ludwig de Jager - ENT specialist Mediclinic Potchefstroom: FAQs and Contact info

FAQs
Are your services covered by my insurance?
We recognize medical aid tariffs and at this stage have contracts with several medical aids. Patients should inquire from the medical aid whether they need pre-authorization for this consultation. Payment, however, eventually remains the responsibility of the patient.  Patients without medical aids are charged private rates.  Feel free to request a quotation.

Can I get a same day appointment? Do you offer walk-in clinics?
The availability of same-day appointments depends on vacant slots on the slate. Urgent cases – referred by family physicians / other specialists – will be accommodated on the same day or early the next. For life threatening emergencies patients should go to the emergency department. Although preferable, patients need not have a referral from their family physician to be seen but should schedule an appointment in advance [and verify eligibility with the medical aid].

What is your cancellation policy?
We appreciate patients cancelling at least 24 hours prior to the appointment if realistically possible. This allows us to accommodate another patient on the slate which will facilitate timely care.

What is your new patient procedure?
We abide by regulations and suggestions to keep patients and office staff safe during the Covid 19 pandemic. Patients will be screened in the hospital foyer prior to coming to our office. We ask patients to wear masks and sanitize their hands on entering the office.  On arrival patients are registered on our system.  The consultation lasts from 30 – 60 minutes.  Besides a basic system evaluation it might be necessary to perform an endoscopic examination of the nose and/or throat [with a small endoscope with a camera attached] or microscopic examination of the ears [to facilitate diagnosis and to remove wax or debris if necessary]. There might be a need to perform screening audiometry and sometimes we even execute repositioning maneuvers to treat certain types of balance disturbances. The need for further care [other special examinations, surgery or referral to other colleagues] will be evaluated.

What happens if I need surgery performed?
The indications for and details of the surgery will be discussed in depth and patients usually receive a written copy to digest at home. Consent for the surgery is obtained in the office and patients will be informed re the protocol to follow to obtain necessary preop examinations / evaluations, particularly pertaining to screening for the Covid 19 virus during these troubling times. The hospital administrative personnel will assist in negotiating with the medical aid to ensure the necessary authorization is in place.