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Death certificates and insurance
Author: Miss TJL Nyathikazi
Date: 20 September 2007
As a matter of interest: How do you handle family members who ask you not to mention HIV/AIDS on the death certificate, so that they will be able to claim insurance money? I know there have been some new laws regarding HIV/AIDS and insurance, but I am not sure of the specifics. Do you just write the opportunistic disease that actually killed the patient?
Lungi
Author: Dr LM Mothibi
Date: 24 September 2007
The issue of death certificates was on the front pages of newspapers at various intervals this year. I have worked in the public sector for some time and I only realised that I have been filing the death certificates incorrectly after reading the articles.
A death certificate has two pages/parts. On the first page you classify the cause of death as natural or unnatural. This is the part that you give to family members so that they can apply for a death certificate at home affairs. On the second page the cause of death is stated. HIV/AIDS is not classified as a cause of death – a person could have died from pneumonia, cancer, meningitis, TB, etc. Following this, there is a part about the underlying cause of death, where one can write HIV. I usually write severe immune suppression or retroviral disease (RVD). The correct procedure is to take this page, put it in a sealed envelope and send it to the Department of Home Affairs via the matron’s office or the clinical manager’s office. In other words, this page is meant for home affairs, not for the family members.
I always write the truth and nothing but the truth. In this way I know I am on the right side of the law. I always explain myself to the family, because if the insurance company finds out that I lied, I can be charged with fraud. I do not want to end up in the court of law while they enjoy their money. I hope you understand my position. I am not being insensitive. I am also protecting myself and my profession.
Lesego
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VCT and re-testing
Death certificates and HIV/AIDS insurance
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