)SOR GAUTENG PROVINCE TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE i. index 3 1 Introduction 5 2. Purpose 5 43. Patient classification 6 4. Out Patients a 5. tn patients 8 6. Provisional classification ° 7. Erroneous clasification 9 8. Re-classification 10 9. Appeats against classification u ‘able 1: Explanation ofthe Classification of patients forthe determination of mm 2028 annexure A: GPF 4 Declaration Annexure 8: GPF 3 Registrations and Admission Form 2I. index Definitions i this procedure manual otherwise Indletes— “admit ‘means the admittance of a person to or at a hospital and includes the ee- admittance of such a person; ‘admitting officer ‘means an official employed by the hospital, working in admissions oF ‘wards. He or She deals wth patient administration work “applicant ‘means 2 person applying , or on whose behalf application is made for admission; ‘assets! means the total value of the fixed and movable property af a person; spendant’ means every ~ (2) Person who is dependent upon someone for maintenance 0 suppot by reason of marrage wife or husband (©) Biological child who isa minor under the age of 21 years who i inthe care of a breadwinner; ‘donor’ means a person who voluntary reports at a hospital for the denation of an ‘organ, blood milk or tissue, and is admitted for such purposes, or a person who died in hospital and whose family ha glven permission forthe donation of an organ oF organs Cor tissue forthe purpose ofa transplantation; ‘exempted patient” means a person who receive services free of charge for 2 specific condition due to aniliness and ereumstance; family unit” means a household consisting of a breadwinner with ene or more dependants; “foreign patient’ means 2 person from outside the borders of the Republic of South ‘Africa including foreign tourists or an employee of a foreign company visting the RSA but excluding the folowing: (2) Immigrants permanently resident in the RSA but who have not attained citizenship {b) Non South African citizens with temporary residence or work permit {c) Persons from SADEC states (Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziand, ‘Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe) Gtizens from SADEC countries who are illegal or_ asylum seekers {@) Persons who are asylum seekers with correct documentation “hospital patient” means 2 person whois treated at hospital by a medical practitioner ‘WhoIs in the service of such hospital at an inclusive taif; “income! in relation to a person means the total income on admission, before eduction there from of any contribution to a pension fund, medical aid or fund any premium on an insurance policy, any charge in respect of board and lodging, or of any ‘other amount whatsoever not being expenditure incurred or to be Incured in the‘earning of such income which person receives or anticipates receiving by way of derived from salary , wage ,bonus ,commission, pension, interest, maintenance, Aivided, rent, the carying on of farming operations or any trade ,busines, profession, ‘or occupation, any other assets or any other way from any other source whatsoever; “individual means 9 responsible person without dependants; ‘Vodger” means a person who is admitted on the written authority of the Chief Executive Officer or officer acting on his behalf, by reason ofthe fact thatin the opinion ‘of a medical practitioner, his presence is necessary forthe recovery of apatientn or at such hospital; “member of 2 medical scheme’ means any person who has been enrolled or admitted as and sll s a member of the scheme or who in terms of the medical Scheme Act oF rules ofthe scheme is a member of the scheme; ‘medical scheme’ means any medical scheme 25 defined in section 1 of the Medical scheme Act 1967 (Act 72 of 1967) ‘month’ means the period extending from the first day to the last day both days Included, in any one of the 12 months ofa calendar year; ‘patient companion’ means any person either a family member or an acquaintance of patient who accompanies that patient without any reason to a hospital and requires ‘accommodation without any eason for caring and security toa hospital because he has no other refuge: * Non South African resident’ means a person from outside the borders othe Republic cof South Africa visting the RSA. ‘private hospital patient’ means a person who has been classified as a private patient at a hospital but Is treated by 2 medical practitioner who Is in the service of such hospital (PH); ‘private patient’ means a person who is treated in or at hospital by @ medical practitioner who is not inthe service of such hospital(P) ‘relative! means 2 member of family ofa patient who withthe written authorization of the superintendent, o officer acting on his behalf is admitted for examination in order tozassist inthe diagnosis ofthe condition of such patient ” ‘resident baby’ 3 new bor baby of a mother who is still a maternity gatient in the hospital; ‘resident chil! means an infant who does not receive medical treatment or nursing «are, but who is cared for and fed by its mother who is patient inthe hospital; ‘Responsible person’ means a person who Is not a dependant, whether he has dependants or not;Gauteng Department of Health Patient Classification Policy Manual Volume 1 1, Introduction Gauteng Department of Health Is mandated to provide health care services to every member of the community without discrimination on the basis of color, creed or affordability. This document provides for guidance on how a patient should be classed prior to being registered and admitted. All patients must be registered electronically or ‘manually in which full details ae to be obtained from the patient or his/her escort. The information shall be used forthe sole purpose of rendering health care services and related activities. Agents of the department shall have access to patient information while executing the services but the information cannot be used for any other purpose. Patient confidentiality is key (primary) and shall be maintained at al times by the users ofthis Information. The Revenue Management unit is responsible for identification, callecon, recording, reconciliation and safeguarding of information about revenue in the Department of Heatth. ‘The guiding documents for revenue management and patient administration ar: (1) Public Finance Management Act No 1 of 1999 as Amended by Act 29 of 1999 (section 45), {2} National Health Care Act No 61 of 2003. (3) Promotion of Access to Information Act No. 2 of 2000. (4)__Uniform Patio Fee Schedule (UPFS) Book. Provides guidance on how to darge patients, it consist of 4). UPFS User guide, which describe all the Tariffs, how they must be used, when ‘and fer who must they be applied to. ‘b) Tariff guide indicates fees to be charged. It is revised annually through and promulgated in the Provincial Gazette Extraordinary. ) Procedure code books: they ental major, minor theatre procedures and ambulatory procedures which are categorized into A, 8, C, Dand E faciityand Professional fee is chargeable when these procedures are done, (5) Administrative Procedure Manual Part {6) Hospital Ordinance 14 of 1958. NB: This document replaces the Patient Administration Procedure Manual on Classification of Patients par. 10.1.9 Purpose The purpose of this policy manual is to comply with the current legislation and obtain correct and complete patient information for categorizing patients for purposes of affordability to pay for services. The classification will determine the fees payable under ‘the UPFS tariff structure for services rendered. Everyone has a right to health cae services ‘and those that can afford wil be billed based on thelr classification,3, Patient Classification (2) Every person who consults or is admitted for treatment at @ public heath institution {hospitals shouldbe classified in one ofthe following catego 2) Fllpaying patients ») Subsidized patents Patients recelvng free services. <) Exempted patients (2) Every patient shall be classified according to his or her income status, n an appropriate classification and tarif category. Ifthe income of a patient cannot be determined, such Patient should be provisionally classified, see section 6 ofthis document. (3) The classification ofa dependent is determined by the classification ofthe person upon whom he or she is dependent, except ina case of an exempted patient where a dependant |s qualified to be exempted, (4) Every patient must on registration be informed verbally or in writing of his/her Classification category and fees payable. (5) As stipulated on Section 25 (14) & (15) of Natonal Health Act No.61 of 2003, all patients (OF users must glve consent to disclose information for billing purposes ether on the Registration/ Admission form or the printed version from bling system. (6) Explanation of cassfication Categories: a) Full Paying Patients ‘This category of patients include externally funded patients (see table 1), patients being ‘treated by their private practitioners, Folateng patients, and certain categories of non South Aftican citizens. This category of patients is lable forthe fll UPES fees as listed in Provincial Gazette Extraordinary for Tariffs revision. ») Subsidized patients | terms of Section 41 (2) of the National Heath Act No .61 of 2003, the Minister and the relevant MEC may prescribe procedures and criteria for admission to and referal from a health establishment, Subsidized patients are categorized based on thelr ability to pay for health services nto three categories: Hi, H2 and H3 Free Patients Patients in this category receive all services free of charge and are categorized as H zero (HO). This category comprises of recipients of social pension or grants and the formally ‘unemployed, Patients must provide proof ofthe type of pension or social grart, ora letter {rom the Department of Labour to proof that they are recipients of the unemployment insurance in order to be classified into this category. if on Medical Ad, the patient will forfeit the free service benefits(4) Exempted Patients In terms of section 4 ofthe National Health Act no.61 of 2008, The Minister of Health, after ‘consultation with the Minister of Finance and; section 41(3) relevant Member of Exective Councils, may prescribe conditions subject to which categories of persons are eligible for {ree health services at public health establishments, (i) Pregnant and lactating women and children below the age of six years ‘must receive free heath care, provided they are not members or beneficiaries of ‘medical aid schemes. i) All persons, except members of medical aid schemes and their dependants and Persons receiving compensation for compensable occupational diseases, must receive free primary health care services Patients under (a) circumstances wil receive free health care services anly when these conditions are confirmed and they will be exempted from paying prescribed fees irrespective of any adltional diagnosis, thelr income or normal classification. ful ist of Patients qualifying for these statutory based circumstances is elaborated under Table 3 (7) Every person presenting himself/herself at the provincial hospital shall provide the following documents to an Admitting Officer before he/she is registered or admitted, for the purpose of determining a classification and tariff category: 2) Identity Document »b) Medical aid card 6) Appointment card 4) Pay slip/ salary advice €@) Proof of address (residential or postal address) 4) Documentation from other Organs of state (8) Declaration OF Income/Assets GPF 4 {Annexure 8) 4} All patients who have no proof of income should fil the Declaration of Income: form (Annexure A} 1) This form wil assist the admitting officer ta determine the classification category using the patient's assets ) The admitting officer shall add all values and determine classification according to ‘the means test (2) Registration or Admission Form GPF 3 (Annexure A) 2) All patients must be registered on the GPF 3 form or computerized systems before any consultation or admission toa hospital, b) The GPF 3 form must be completed by the admitting officer or patient/ other _person on his/her behalf except in cases of ilteracy or a computerized system, It must be used incase of non-computerized repstration/adiissions ereas or ‘when the Information Technology (7) Systems are oft-ine, 4) Information as stipulated on the Registration or Admission form or Bling system should be furnished by patients during consultation or admission€} ftis the responsibilty of the admitting officer to ensure that information on the GPF 3 or systems is completely captured, 4) In terms of section 14 ofthe National Health Act No.61 of 2003 all information concerning a user, including information relating to his or her heath status, {treatment or admission ina health establishment is confidential and no person may {isclse any information unless the user consents to that disclosure inviting, 2) The admitting officer must sign the form and ensure that the patient aleo attach his/her signature on both the manual form and printed version from the ‘computerized systems. The patient wil thus gve the health institution consent to tse his/her medical information for biling purposes. +) Al forms must be checked daily and randomly by the supervisors in charge of the registration and admissions areas to ensure accuracy and completeness. The supervisors must attach thie signatures on all forms randomly checked, and keep record for audit purposes, 1) The GPF 3 form is self explanatory and must be completed legibly, completely and accurately 4. Out Patients (2) An outpatient must be classified atthe time of his or her frst visitto a hospital and such classification shall remain in force for a period of 12 months, where after he/she shal be classified anew. (2) On the 12 month an outpatient must re submit his/her proof documents and be reassessed (3) Patients that have their medical ad terminated or exhausted should notify the admitting officer on their next vist, with proof dacuments, end shall be lassified accordingly. The classification will remain for I2months. The ‘reassessment of patients applies to patients who receive free services, exempted and subsidized after 12 month perlod (4) Patient classification shall remain for a period of 22 months, however if the patient is externally funded e.g. RAF, COID,e.tc, the patient shall be cassitied accordingly 5. In- Patient (1) An in-patient should be classified every time he or she is admitted at the hospital {and such eassfcation shal remain applicable until the patient is discharged, (2) The provisions shall not apply to @ person: (2) Who is an in-patient on the day that precedes the implementetion of the revised taifs; or (©) Whose admission and classification as an in-patient had been approved before the implementation of the revised tariffs for the period ending on, the date ‘upon which he/ she is discharged from the hospital concerned.6, Provisional Classification of Patients (2) In the case of any Out Patient hospital vist whereby the information required isnot readily available to determine the clasification and tariff category ofthe patient and the head of medical services ora medical practitioner on duty i of the opinion that the ‘treatment ofa patient cannot be deferred without danger or detrimental consequences ‘to such patient, such patient shal be registered and classified as follows: (2) First OPD visit- Classify as H3. Tick in the relevant form GPF 5 (anexure | and Indicate the date required to submit the documents, (6) Second OPD vist- Classify as HI. Tick in the relevant form GPF 5 (Annexure C) ‘and indicate the date required to submit the documents (6) Third OPO vist classity as Provisional H3ifno documents are furnished (4) Allpatients must be informed of ther Provisional classification and be requested 10 furnish the required information as soon as possible. (6) i the required information is furnished the patient shall be correctly classified ‘but will remain liable to pay for the incurred medical costs from the Provisional Classification, (2) In the case of any admission whereby the information required is not readily available to determine the classification and taif category ofthe patient snd the head ‘of medical services or a medical practitioner on duty is of the opinion that the ‘treatment ofa patient cannot be deferred without danger or detrimental consequences ‘to such patient, such patient shall be admitted and classified as follows; (a) The patient with no documentation shall be classified provisionally zs M3 (6) Ward clerks must ensure that all provisionally classified patients are followed up regulary to provide documentation before being discharged, (61 the required information is not furnished, the patient will be liabe to pay the Incurred medical costs unless all the required documentation is provides. (3) All patients must be informed oftheir Provisional classification and be requested to futnish the required information as soon as possible 7. Erroneous Classification of Patients « ‘An erroneous classification arses when a Patient is incorrectly classified in any classification category as a result of any false, incorrect or misleading declaration, information or document raving heen ‘made available or furnished, of as a result of any error or any incomect pplication o interpretation of the policy or for any other acceptable reason. 2 Whenever It Is discovered thet 2 patient has been erroneously classified asa result of any ofthe reasons mentioned in ‘above such patient shall be classified afresh in the correct category with effect from the date of such erroneous dassifiation. 8) Aan erroneous classification must not. be confused witha reclassification. a classification which is corracted asa result oferror snot a reclassification butis merely a correction ofa wrong classification. 4 reclassification is something completely diferent and is further described below ater an erroneous cazsifcation a The correction of an erroneous dassfcation must be approved by a senior official designatec by the chief ‘executive officer for this purpose. The following are examples of erroneous classifications: @) ‘A patient claims that he or she has been Injured on duty and is therefore entitled to treatment in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act NO 130 of 1993 and is accordingly classified as a private patient in Category PHCO! oF PCOL. Later his or her claim is rejected by the ‘employer or Compensation Commissioner. n such case the patient was erroneously classified and must therefore be classified anew With effect from the date ofthe erroneaus cassification, (6) A patient furishes incorrect information regarding his or her Income intentionally and is classified accordingly. Later the correct amount of his or her income is determined, by whichever means or {from whichever source. The patlent must be classified arew accocding tohis orher correct income with effect from the date ofthe erroneous classification. Such classification may remain the same or may be in 2 lower or higher category © ‘A patient is erroneously classified as a result of an error or an incorrect application or interpretation of the policy by the officer admitting the patient. In such case the erroneous classification must be corrected with effect from the date of such erroneous classification, 8, Reclassification of Patients. a ‘A request to move from the patient's current classification to a lower classification category may be made by or on behalf ofthe patient on the folowing grounds: (a) f the patient became lable for considerable costs of treatment or the anticipated costs of treatment being received will entall excessive financial burden. Reclassification does net apply for patients attending Foateng wards and patients treated by their own private practitioners. (0) A patient whose medical benefits are exhausted in terms of the medical Scheme rules whereby it has been proven by the doctor or case manager that ‘the patient is not being treated for any Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) condition. @ ‘A equest fora reclassification must be made ‘on an application form for reclassification. The application form must be fully completed in all respects to enable the chief executive officer or his or her delegate to make an informed decision @ If request for a reclassification is based on the grounds of financial burden:@ Documentary evidence to indicate the financial burden or status must be furnished, and ccpies must be attached tothe relevant application form and kept for audt purposes o ‘The head of medical services or his or her delegate must verify the anticipated costs indicated in the application form. @ ‘The reclassification of an applicant or patient 's considered solely on the information furnished. If a reclassification is ‘considered, the applicant or patient is recassfied to a lower category where the patient will be able to afford 6) In the case where the patient has already paid an amount in advance, no refunds will be made and reclassification shall, ‘ake effect upon expiry of the period in respect of which such payment was made, 6) ‘The recassfication of an applicant or patient Shall remain in force for a period of 12 months except @ an outpatient or inpatient whe is a member ‘of a medical scheme, whose benefits are renewed before expiry of the period of 12 months, In which case the reclassification zhall lapse on ‘the day inmeciately preceding the day on which his ar her benefits are renewed, o) ‘There is any change in circumstances which ave rise to the reclassification before the expiry of the 12 months period i. when the regulations relating to the clasifiation and tariffs are amended. ” When an applicant or patient — @ notwithstanding considerable costs for ‘treatment already incurred or anticipated, does not gualfy for a reclassification, and his or her present classification will probably ental excessive financial hardship; or & whose request for reclassification has been ranted, considers himself or herself to remain unduly burdened, notwithstanding such reclassification, @) ‘A writen request for reclassitcation or for further reclassification for any sound reason, other than those already advanced in his or her original request, may be submitted to the chief executive officer. If the chief executive officer or his or her delegate considers that a reclassification or further reclassification i justified, he or she shall clasiy the applicant or patient in such lower category ashe of she ‘may consider reasonable in the circumstances, with effect from the date upon which he or she received such request. 9. Appeals against Classification a Whenever an applicant or patient is ‘aggrieved by any classification, reclassification or refusal of a request forreclassification, he or she may appeal to the hospital board of the hospital concerned against the decision regarding such classification, @ Pending the ruling ofthe board, the decision ‘against which the appeals lodged, shal remain in full force and effect, 8 ‘An appeal shall be lodged — o by ghving a written notice to that effect to the chief executive officer within seven days of the chsification or reclassification setting out fully in such notice the grounds on which i i contended. (8) The board shall atts first ordinary meeting after receipt of such notice and any comments thereon, consider such appeal and may eal for such additonal information as it may deem necessary or desirable, from any petson, including the applicant or patient who lodged such appeal (s)he Board will ceview the classification and take an informed decison. The ruling of the board in upholding or dismissing an appeal shall be finalT erg ] Payetep eve susped asus suanee mn Ha pone! {Bat Abe) oo ssi eau eave abe Se1ud aut fg pespuasStanor 0;ubuodes 0) Mey 24 oe 9 AyD ae heDy SHgNd © saveanesd Sinus uno J Ad Pea WaREG Huy | NU Aq poten seg (oan (Goa) on uous a weuRieeGTe) (wa roo) we owaunedaa 9 (sav) ne vey anes (9 a] oo Pu wounedn ox pannus ZsEt 0H ON Dy ‘erujoa ano surat au ys oye Lied hy nes ye {eo Ha ‘sumed 16g o3j20 SR amoue Jo wunee ayy uo pa (oolne $00) uno1s sayove yo yunze a uo pa (HET IP OET On est PY me ‘asroig pe sau evoneenng 1 vanes ou, TO TECON P¥l aE Dy UATE ue wane span ajo sus pss supe puny Ape Je popunj ee sopuos sunnea tue wns“aay foo ‘ueges Bude L0G! poe ‘proasmuy sue, pesiay so) Meupsoeya suoeeD \epuposd lod se paSnip 99 018 sel BamoHoy eA Je o00000 4 ue] suanea ponpsans 2 ise um nj 21 wos} votenpegns jo snniad € anes | ouoour ym senpnpe sauppawi29p0 | put ABojeou9 uonspey ‘qubuness, ‘enh se oy usa) ssn “vane sd 00005 us Sel poRNaY 0} Aiupienes sucou i pesno¥) Iepwyoud Jods pata 9q 0) 88 syyeL BUMOHO) eA ‘une (we ™ | __sedoca seu ven sy “sayotav ue povsjruo apps 384 wanes wojun | awoxL ue emp ny 8 wos} LORREPSGNS Jo Een «ay | so) Roce LUO, alo UN aE URGE Oa ateEBE fp aa tana SUEY Wes ey oN BEE omoes suoned 3 ue pt syefo19 ynoye} en BUPRBHS swe STEN 5 pouep 9 suamp UELIY KRROS LON IV 'E sum vey nes UNAtenas aeesr mmm ‘nuns pause aa xe Suna er Seas 3 ol ‘si nuendo sel Sone oh souosi36 e005 ‘sjgeunsuey ‘esau uathig 3 | pve spoo@ "amnpmne PW “swag Ace) ‘srausclg 9 960 suasey aOR ‘Sueno ‘soured aneou coer unaue 2 90008, 1 vg e03 024m 6} PHL | ours yum poner es pono a eH nau onepey‘he8ins anewsn) spans soaor ‘iy anes Heinen Sy sanes fe suwessON fe) um opou 59 sequous ave oy sepusdsp soi pus suatng seiner | eau 94 an wey popmene ave sutied Buon kee ‘ououbard 20 6 pas sou a0 04 s4orpu0> Jf uowom wouBard 2} ss spay 20 fo Busou 2 Bur ‘090 1 pauonuow svesad aya 0) s2)N05 WyOY 2RDHOND uo fo Basopu0s 24 pnp smses oay 2446N aon veut suoned paduoe » a alousunhyasingor on Stn veneers {LLETO35 OM By e2np9044eURD TE yeunoone 4s prom saya ‘fovea 0 ‘79m 14) 8 Foun uowiom8 40 andes vedn « pen ‘pages 31130 pa"soja Aeuowng() 1 $29 eURBY ewojnesd sng essen ise mn spe soon se m1 on isla oH | ws var pH | ove soséomy jo souewoyee aunREECE “WeRDOP HN NODS OL “euNps ue supieog Se paiepc 04241 apo 0 AONE ou ark be on aOR enum 2 uo pate sam ator ct too) vogetep ajo 2sdrw peRpLED Ss2pume 1 sas wonduore aul “ann veure 3 “ueo ut 0 vonevon a4 0) Aeyoaee rey isa ou 1'WN 93 uN Ha Jo "o4n VoD € JOUNP WE seu ‘Saud 8 a pai SoS um to Avy S>)B5 99 oU UDRed peep fe ete +Documentation checklist copyincomy] [x] sary oveuraton only] [x] Cony [] [a] PotetSectcrnt (Copy of Weiea Scheme or Document rom oh "PARTICULARS OF ACCIDENTSINIURY Sho eerie nn vn mon Oo Patent eA Bn nn Ct so Mode ot ranepo (eg Ca Annes, HES nelle Re 6, PATIENT CONSENT |e undsigne hry grat paren at: Th att of mye pao’ eae o conn may be acoder ng Peoana to ema andre Ravan cps oy adc eds ayes be apd a eg paps Patan unran Nene sont. einen OMe Nana os fn i[ANNEXURE A __REGISTRATIONADHUSSION FORM copes Praca Worst PATIENTS BETAS. Fret Names ender ace Nationa Sitsenchie Religions | Pina Aion —— “Ted Nes Province Employment status Eplorer Nam ccupation _EmployetPeral No. 7 ai] Ramer Bape ‘Spouse Hopital Clasincaton CI ‘trsessi) EMERGENCY CONTACT PARTICUTARS ‘ei brought by: ‘across Relationship... ‘Teucelt Wo | PARTICULARS OF REGISTRATION PARTICULARS OF ROWESSTON ime Serica Point. _ a a vary Ey | Sie — este Lor] [2] Coe] Low rentey Coase) poste (oj [ome —] Dato acer - ‘sat_] | rectassfication Oat, FoonANINEXURE 8 DECLARATION OF INCOME/ASSETS ora DECLARATION OF INCOME /ASSETS IN CASE OF UNEMPLOYED PATIENTS ORAPPLICANTS NAME OF PATIENT. 10 NUMBER: senna LE NUMBER. - Ven —— declare that | have the following assets and am unemployed. House faa] R cr o i, _ t Cell phone | R - oer Seay sos a dcr that have other icome meas sted bow Satins income permonth Donations value ‘Raed oer my ethcaoete A Signature of applicant Date Admitting officer DateBGR: ceyrmnacaronee ANNEXURE C DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST FORM prs NAME OF HOSPITAL: ‘DOCUMENTS REQUIRED PROVIDED, Nor PROVIDED r Yes] DATE [NO] DATE | COPIES: | Identity | Drivers | Birth Cenicate Document | License PROOF OF | Payslip | Medical INCOME: [Dediaration | aid | Departmental | pension Form Card | documents | card PROOF oF Municipality Any Account RESIDENCE: ei REMARKS: CLASSIFICATION CORRECTED BY: DOCUMENTS REQUESTED BY: BRC