South Africa’s private ambulance operators have applied for permission to negotiate tariffs and payment structures collectively with medical aid schemes. The South African Private Ambulance & Emergency Services Association submitted the exemption application to the Competition Commission.
Sapaesa represents more than 120 private emergency medical service providers. Its members include ER24 and several smaller independent ambulance businesses.
Collective tariff negotiations would usually raise competition concerns. This is because competing businesses would be coordinating on prices and commercial terms.