SAMA Health Summit 2026

South African Medical Association (SAMA) Health Summit 2026

Coding Programme

Time Topic
08:15 – 08:55 Registration & Breakfast
08h55 – 09h00 Greetings/House Rules
09h00 – 09h10 Opening & Welcome
Overview of the theme: “Innovate to Elevate”
09h10 – 09h40 Keynote Address:
The Future of Innovation, Digital Transformation and Emerging Technologies in Medical Coding.
09h40 – 10h00 Session 1:
Digital Transformation in Healthcare Coding:
EHR integration – the future of EHR – the role of the Coder in this transformation and the Impact on Medical Doctors/Clinicians
10h00 – 10h15 Exhibitor Presentation
10h15 – 10h35 Tea Break & Exhibitor Engagement
10h35 – 11h25 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) in South Africa
11h25 – 12h15 Panel Discussion:
“Transforming Healthcare Together: Coders, Clinicians & Technology”
Interactive Q&A with experts.
12h15 – 13h00 Lunch Break
13h00 – 13h25 Presentation on Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs)
13h25 – 14h10 Breakaway Sessions (Choose 1 or 2):
1. Accurate coding through EHR to improve access to funder/scheme benefits
2. Revenue Integrity & Compliance: What Every Coder and Clinician Should Know
14h10 – 14h25 Refreshment Break
14h25 – 15h10 Hands-On Coding Lab:
• Coding for an unlisted service – how to navigate this esp. for medical doctors and clinicians.
• Role of modifiers – how to effectively motivate for this.
• Add-on codes and unbundling
15h10 – 15h50 Session 2:
1. Innovation Spotlight: Tools & Technologies Elevating Coding Practice
Showcasing modern solutions, AI tools, and workflow optimisation.
How AI analytics improve billing accuracy by flagging gaps, inconsistencies, and coding errors before claims are submitted.

2. Presentation on a South African AI Tool for Clinical Coding
Challenges and highlights/advantages of the product
Lessons learned from building this specific system based on AI.
Clinical Coding and AI in the real world
15h50 – 16h35 Open Forum:
Ask-the-Experts: Bridging the Gap between AI, Clinical Transformation and clinical practice
16h35 – 16h50 Way Forward
Vote of thanks
17h00 Cocktail Dinner and Networking