Physiotherapists say medical scheme forensic audits are leaving them “fearful, stigmatised and traumatised”, according to new research from the University of Pretoria (UP). – Times LIVE (19 March 2026).
According to research, published in the SA Journal of Physiotherapy, processes meant to protect patients’ money may be causing serious harm to practitioners.
“While audits are designed to identify billing irregularities, participants often experienced them as aggressive, unfair and punitive. Many felt they were treated as guilty from the start, even when proof of wrongdoing was unclear.”
Some participants revealed that they are often forced to sign an admission of Debt AOD agreement to admit liability and repay money or face blocked payments from schemes.
“With cash flow cut, practices can quickly become insolvent. The study cites amounts ranging from R54,000 to R4.5m. Some practitioners reported legal costs running into hundreds of thousands of rand. Others said their practices were pushed to the brink of closure.”
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