REACH (Telegram) 84 - What are your views on this topic? What more can be done to ensure healthcare remains affordable and sustainable for all?
(SK)
02 Jul 2025 (10am - 7pm)
REACH (Telegram)
REACH Singapore, [2/7/2025 9:45 am]
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Megan π
REACH Singapore, [2/7/2025 10:01 am]
π’ Topic π’
The current state of private insurance and private healthcare is unsustainable, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Tuesday (Jul 1), as he spoke of a "knot" in the relationship between the insurers and private hospitals.
Minister Ong was giving the Ministry of Health (MOH)'s perspective on Great Eastern's suspension of its pre-authorisation certificates for admission to Mount Elizabeth hospitals since Jun 17.
π¬ What are your views on this topic? What more can be done to ensure healthcare remains affordable and sustainable for all?
The "knot" came about in big part due to insurance design, he said. "Insurers know that policyholders are worried about incurring an unexpected huge hospital bill, so they launch insurance products that offer generous coverage to win customers and market share."
These products include "as-charged" or no-limit coverage, as well as riders - add-ons to the insurance plan - that will cover almost all costs. In such cases, as insurers are footing almost the entire bill, there is the tendency to "use more than is necessary", said Minister Ong, calling it "human nature". This leads to higher claims and insurers realising that the premiums they collect can no longer cover those claims.
Insurers then respond by introducing more safeguards into the claims process, such as suspending pre-authorisation for hospitals with higher claims or entering into panel arrangements with doctors, he said. They also respond by raising premiums, he said, noting that premiums for riders have increased sharply over the past few years.
This causes policyholders, insurers, doctors, and hospitals to all be caught in a "knot".
π MOH intervention sufficient so far
To tackle the issue, MOH has intervened in a few ways, said Minister Ong. One way it did so was to introduce fee benchmarks to guide pricing and prevent over-charging of medical bills. Since 2018, it has done so for private professional fees.
"We are now studying the possibility of going beyond professional fees, by introducing more benchmarks for hospital charges, to guide fee setting by private hospitals," added Minister Ong.
MOH has also intervened in instances when doctors make errant claims. The ministry has taken action against a "small minority" of offending doctors by making them attend a "refresher course on fee setting" or suspending them from claiming from MediSave and MediShield Life.
Noting the need for more affordable private hospital choices, Minister Ong said that the ministry is exploring the possibility of a new not-for-profit private hospital - first introduced in February 2024 - but that such a move will take a few years still.
However, MOH's actions are insufficient, said Minister Ong. "Ultimately, private insurers need to take a hard and realistic look at their product design, particularly those of riders."
π The role of private insurers
Minister Ong acknowledged that private insurers have made "some effort" to redesign their insurance plans.
Most insurers now offer more affordable rider alternatives which do not fully cover deductibles or have a larger co-payment component, he said.
"But more importantly, these riders can help to dull the incentives to over-service and over-charge, while still providing the additional protection against large cash co-payments that policyholders value.
"In the longer term, patients seeking care in private hospitals will find that they are getting a better deal than the current situation, which is clearly unsustainable."
Every stakeholder will need to do its part so that the "knot" can be gradually loosened and untied, said Minister Ong, adding that MOH will be "facilitating" this untying process.
Minister Ong added that Great Eastern's move only affects those patients on private insurance plans and who intend to receive care at private hospitals.
Over 90 per cent of acute inpatient care is delivered in public hospitals, including those who opt for unsubsidised wards, he said.
REACH Singapore, [2/7/2025 10:01 am]
π https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ong-ye-kung-private-insurance-healthcare-great-eastern-pre-authorisation-certificates-mount-elizabeth-5213466
----
365, [2/7/2025 10:15 am]
Enforcement is going to be tough, but I think doctors should not ask patients for insurance coverage when treating. If patients need assistance with financials or understanding of their coverage, there should be another department independent of the doctors to assist. This means that doctors are providing treatment independent of the knowledge of insurance coverage for the patient.
If patients are requesting for additional procedures after the doctor has performed their assessment on what is necessary, this needs to be indicated in the bill and since needs additional request, it should not be covered by insurance, actually pretty similar to how car owners try to sneak in upgrades or replacement parts unaffected by accidents they've been involved in.
It is pretty idealistic and hard to enforce though, but maybe the idea can start off as a foundation to work on.
REACH Singapore, [2/7/2025 11:03 am]
[ Poll : Which approach would help ensure sustainable healthcare for Singaporeans? ]
- Stricter regulation of private hospital charges
- Redesigned insurance products with co-payment
- More not-for-profit private hospitals
- Enhanced public healthcare capacity
REACH Singapore, [2/7/2025 11:08 am]
Dear Contributors,
Please take a moment to participate in our poll and share your opinions.
Today’s poll allows you to select more than one option, and your vote is anonymous. The poll questions are pinned for easy reference.
We look forward to hearing your thoughts on today’s topic!
Megan π
Daniel, [2/7/2025 11:20 am]
This should allow for multiple choices. I don't think there's a single simple solution.
365, [2/7/2025 11:25 am]
My take is government hospitals are generally acceptable quality wise, but the struggle with capacity is what pushes some common folks to private, especially when they're suffering or possibly have an illness or disease which requires time critical treatment. I'm ignoring the subset of patients that goes private regardless for the sake of this argument, that's more of a personal choice.
Honestly, I'm not getting how different not-for-profit private hospitals are with public Healthcare, from public pov, if quality is same and out of pocket cost is the same, we don't have much complaints.
The increase in public Healthcare capacity and more not-for-profit private will provide more timely access to healthcare by virtue of increased capacity and availability.
I don't like the idea of redesigning insurance products, seems like treating the symptom and not the root cause. Insurance providers will look out for their bottom line, and then try to skirt around the intentions of the new designs with other restrictions or implement additional cost.
Personally, I buy insurance of a sense of security and stability, and also wouldn't like changes to it in the long term, doesn't make me feel secure if the conditions I agreed and signed to can be redesigned afterwards.
365, [2/7/2025 11:26 am]
You can vote for multiple options for this poll
Daniel, [2/7/2025 11:28 am]
Thank you, didn't notice
Adam, [2/7/2025 11:31 am]
Gov should allow medisave and medishield to be used overseas
Adam, [2/7/2025 11:31 am]
Reduce strain on healthcare here
Adam, [2/7/2025 11:32 am]
Make use of our strong currency for people who want to cheap out
Adam, [2/7/2025 11:34 am]
https://youtu.be/V1sWFzpuwwU
Adam, [2/7/2025 11:35 am]
Med companies are profiteering from monopoly and fear. If we open to a free intl market, we can see them compete and bring costs down
Adam, [2/7/2025 11:37 am]
We hire foreign docs anyway since we limit med school intake. And many singaporeans wanna retire overseas. Make overseas medicine more accessible
RY, [2/7/2025 12:18 pm]
The main is the high costs/fees charged by the private hospitals and not so much the patients themselves
Every scan/test and etc are mostly order by the Dr
An example -
Private hospital also charge every small items like mouthrinse/tissue box and etc
Bec patients unable to go down the bed and brush teeth after ops the 1st few days and have to use mouthrinse
In the end, I get my friend to buy for me when they visit me, rather than unsure pte hospital will charge me later in the bill
Private hospital already charged high fee for daily room, and they shd provide these small items similar like hotels, however they still bill patients all these small items, how can the bill not increasing ?
Another example,
Upon discharged, the pte hospital, they shd provide patients with discharged summary by "default" like any public hospitals
I rem I forget to ask on my day of discharge the "discharge summary", and later when I request, the pte hospital want to charge me for the discharge summary ....
Bec they said that I didnt request on day of discharge and I argue that the docs shd be given to me as patient as part of the discharge procedure
So we can see how pte hospital is so money-minded and why the pte hospital bill so high
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 12:47 pm]
Problems are from insurance company. They are like δΈθ¨ε where they set the rules.
So many rules and clause and they can change it on immediate effect. That's why I only buy the basic insurance
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 12:47 pm]
And only go for gov hospital
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 12:50 pm]
Then a lot of insurance agents always like push for insurance like early critical illness, better insurance plan etc. I am like medi sheild not enough meh
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 12:52 pm]
The only part is no healthcare insurance recognised TCM. Only accidents policy which must really prove you have accident
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 12:53 pm]
Like AIA got a form for TCM doctor to fill in. Very disgusting
Adam, [2/7/2025 12:54 pm]
Shouldn't tcm be separate from standard insurance?
Adam, [2/7/2025 12:54 pm]
If someone doesnt use tcm, should their premiums subsidize those that would use tcm?
Adam, [2/7/2025 12:55 pm]
Does polyclinic give referral to tcm clinic?
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 12:56 pm]
There's no policy that's purely TCM
Adam, [2/7/2025 12:57 pm]
Wait what do you mean?
Adam, [2/7/2025 12:57 pm]
What kind of insurace is your ideal?
Adam, [2/7/2025 12:58 pm]
Tcm by itself? Tcm+conventional?
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 12:59 pm]
TCM + conventional will be more ideal. Like adding a rider for TCM on extra cost will be good
Adam, [2/7/2025 1:00 pm]
Doesnt it already exist?
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 1:01 pm]
Have meh. Only accident policy so far I came across
Adam, [2/7/2025 1:02 pm]
For one, raffles has 'premier rider' allowing for 'post hospitalization tcm' among other things
Adam, [2/7/2025 1:03 pm]
Well, not tcm by itself but tcm insurance exists
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 1:05 pm]
Well maybe but insurance company like to make it hard to claim
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 1:05 pm]
Which makes me like what's the point of having insurance
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 1:06 pm]
For eg aia accident policy they change it to very strict that under certain conditions then It is a accident
Adam, [2/7/2025 1:06 pm]
I guess the insurer needs to be more open on the claims process
Adam, [2/7/2025 1:07 pm]
MOH has a table on claim rejection %
Adam, [2/7/2025 1:07 pm]
Maybe MOH can force the providers to give more granular data
Adam, [2/7/2025 1:07 pm]
% of denial of TCM
Adam, [2/7/2025 1:08 pm]
Separated by hospital
Adam, [2/7/2025 1:09 pm]
MOH say if you have dispute, can go to fidrec but idk if it helps
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 1:10 pm]
I think it's just too many clause that customers just feel very sian hearing so many clause
Adam, [2/7/2025 1:10 pm]
I think gov needs to step in a little to keep both hospitals and insurers in line. Cannot just charge cust or change policy willy nilly
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 1:11 pm]
And agents may misled consumer or consumer may have a different idea
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 1:13 pm]
Maybe simplify insurance or maybe those insurance that can be customised
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 1:14 pm]
Will be more beneficial
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 1:17 pm]
It will be better if consumers can click on which private hospital that can be covered and calculate the price. Some of the exempted treatment can put in as another option
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 1:19 pm]
People like me cheapo will only click on gov hospital and TCM clinics while rich people can click more based on their needs
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 1:20 pm]
So instead so many small policy we can have one health care policy
Nicholas, [2/7/2025 1:33 pm]
Nowadays, a one day stay in a private hospital class A ward exceeds S$5,000. I wonder why it's so high. Insurers also keep increasing their premiums or if they don't increase, add in things like excess payment amounts or requiring panel doctors. And then after you claim, your premium spikes for the next 3 to 4 years. In essence, you're made to pay fully for what you claimed over the next 3 to 4 years. What is the benefit of insurance then, shouldn't the insurer spread the cost amongst all who are insured and have economies of scale?
REACH Singapore, [2/7/2025 2:00 pm]
π’ Topic π’
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/7/2025 2:43 pm]
1. When no co-payment is made by patients, there is tendency to invite a "Buffet Syndrome Phenomenon" due to Human inherent roots of "Greed θ΄ͺ":-
a. Since everything is "free" - ie. no need to pay cash "out-of-pocket" - tendency is for patients to go for treatment for any slide discomfort, more tests, get more medicine, get top of the range treatment etc.
Because "I don't need to pay, insurers pay mah".
This is human nature.
b. Private Hospitals and Doctors who are human, who want higher bonus, higher pay, higher profits for hospital - and knowing patients will not scrutinize and restraint doctors over-servicing - become "co-accomplice" for expensive, additional and over servicing.
Because "Insurers pay mah", "We all benefits mah - why not "zhua tua tua" - "flush big big" --- and the hospital bills spike phenonmenally.
This is human nature.
2. Hence there is need for an Authority to step in - to contain and manage such "Buffet Syndrome Phenomenon" - to prevent over-servicing and abuse.
3. I personally experience the services of both public hospital (which I predominantly patronize) and few rare instances of private hospitals (in which my previous companies - put me in when I am unwell).
The health outcomes are the same - but the hospital bills are a big difference.
"Over servicing" is very apparent in private hospitals. I need to request for discharge when I am well - else they will keep servicing.
Whereas public hospitals will keep services appropriate and put you on discharge when I recover and no longer need hospitalisation.
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 2:52 pm]
But you don't want another end where people don't go to see doctor
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/7/2025 2:54 pm]
People sick will go see doctors.
Public hospitals are affordable and provide good medical outcomes.
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 2:55 pm]
Sometimes a slightly bigger wound or a small wound can means a lot and people are not seeing doctors for it
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 2:56 pm]
My uncle fall and have a big wound and he is reluctant to see doctor as he thought it is nothing
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 2:57 pm]
And he doesn't want to spend a few hundred dollars and leave his job for mc
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 2:58 pm]
Then we bring him to a&e and end up one month MC with very troublesome medical device with him
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 2:59 pm]
Then he was like my full attendance bonus gone
Jun Ming, [2/7/2025 3:03 pm]
But I think insurance shouldn't cover so much for private hospital just add in rider (private ) and cover emergency cases
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/7/2025 3:06 pm]
1. Hence I agree with the Minister of Health 4 approaches to sustainable healthcare - to prevent healthcare cost from spiralling due to over-servicing and abuse - as 3 stakeholders contribute to this "Buffet Syndrome Phenomenon" specifically :-
a. Patients - who worried about incurring unexpected huge hosptial bill. "Kiasu, Kiasi" mentality.
b. Insurers - who want to corner larger market share in healthcare insurance - offer generous coverage to win customers - to include "as charge" or "no limit coverage" - that will cover "all costs" - to feed on Patients "Kiasu, Kiasi" mentality.
c. Hospitals and Doctors - who want higher profit, higher pay, higher bonus - and feed on Insurers' greed for higher market share and patients "Kiasu, Kiasi" mentality.
2. End up - healthcare cost spiral and all 3 stakeholders will now face the consequences of such abuse.
a. Insurers - unsustainable insurance payout, make lost, keep increasing premium, lose customers, people lose faith in the health insurance package.
I never subscribe to healthcare insurance - despite insistent agents.
Only believe in Medishield - good enough.
b. Patients end up paying higher and higher insurance premium and more restrictions in insurance claims.
c. Private hospitals and doctors - more and more patients shun the hospital services and the messy claims - and go to public hospitals.
d. Public hospitals - now face more patronage and become more and more busy.
3. Hence there is a need to manage and control the private healthcare sectors and health insurance as well as manage policyholders' expectation to a manageable level.
4. I feel that the 4 approaches announce by the Minister of Health - as very timely.
I think about 20 years ago - a big revamp was made on public hospitals (at that time, civil servants also has no co-payments). Healthcare is free for all civil servants.
One big revamp - put it right - and prevent a "Buffet Syndrome" from taking roots in public hospitals.
But the initial revamp make many civil servants unhappy from no payment to 10% co-pay.
But after a while, people get use to it.
And the healthcare cost in civil service come down to a sustainable level.
Now it is time to address the private hospitals "Buffet Syndrome" - to contain a spiralling private healthcare costs from spiking further.
By addressing humanity inherent roots of:-
"θ΄ͺεη΄“ - ”θ΄ͺ“ --- addressing Humanity's inherent roots of "Greed".
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/7/2025 3:14 pm]
"Lidar is lame’: why Elon Musk’s vision for a self-driving Tesla taxi faltered.
The company’s rollout of its new driverless cars has gotten off to a wobbly start – and rival Waymo remains well ahead".
Foolhardy Elon Musk against proven technologies - is Tesla pitfalls.
Tesla continues to have this fetishistic view that it’s going to operate its system solely on cameras, despite every intelligent human being in this entire space saying that can’t be done,” said Brett Schreiber, an attorney who represents several alleged victims of Tesla’s autopilot failures.
“Everyone who has been following collision-avoidant technology since the 90s knows that the holy trinity is radar, lidar and cameras.”
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jun/29/elon-musk-tesla-robotaxi#:~:text=Lidar%20is%20lame,remains%20well%20ahead
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/7/2025 3:15 pm]
Ford CEO shuts down Tesla Full Self-Driving deal, says Waymo is better | Electrek.
But he stated that Ford considered LiDAR to be an important part of the picture, noting that “where the camera will be completely blinded, the LiDAR system will see exactly what’s in front of you.”
https://share.google/1j3zVwbJYO1mhKiF1
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/7/2025 3:23 pm]
1. Hence I support the Government 1st approach of looking into insurance products -- all new healthcare insurance package should come with at least 10% co-payment - to ensure :-
a. Policyholders - only see doctors when necessary and seek and scrutinize appropriate treatment - and question the doctors why certain expensive treatment or tests if sense that the doctors or hospitals are trying to over service.
b. Ensure Insurers are providing appropriate sustainable health insurance products - and not cannabilising one another to corner market share.
c. Ensure private hosptals and doctors - use their professional judgement to give appropriate treatment and services -- not over-servicing out of greed.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/7/2025 3:25 pm]
The public hospitals treatment and tests - are a good benchmark for private hospitals.
Servicing is appropriate and don't smell of over servicing to make more money out of the patients.
RY, [2/7/2025 3:33 pm]
I agree, think MOH shd give more recognisation to TCM also
RY, [2/7/2025 3:35 pm]
Yep, only Personal Accident Ins includes/recognise TCM treatment
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/7/2025 3:38 pm]
1. Next I feel that private hospitals charges - are way too high and out of line - as compared to the public hospitals.
Treatment in few hundred of $ in public hospitals - can be few thousands in private hospitals.
Hence I support stricter regulations of private hospital charges.
2. Hence I support Minister of Health suggestions of putting out more benchmark prices in more medical treatment - to let public compare the charges of public hospitals versus private hospitals --- so that facts and knowledge will make patients decide to go public hospitals or private hospitals.
3. With co-payments of hospital bills in private hospitals --- will make patients do computation based on the benchmark prices whether going to public hospitals make more sense than going private hospitals -- since medical outcomes are the same.
4. If private hospitals price themselves out of the market - private hospitals and doctors will lose customers, profit fall, salaries fall, bonus fall.
And private hospitals and doctors - through market forces will be forced to forgo exploitation and abuses - but indulge in rational and honest treatment, tests and charges - else they will go out of business.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/7/2025 3:54 pm]
1. There is a need to create "real competition" to private hospitals - to bring costs to a more "sane-able" level.
2. Because without "real competition" - eg. public hospitals too crowded, long waiting times for critical treatment - patients who cannot wait will have no choice but go to more unregulated pricey private hospitals.
There are no incentives for private hospitals to reduce their prices - because "public hospitals too busy, cannot service all patients mah.
Even I charge high, over service, patients still will come mah.
Why I change my ways of doing?"
3. Hence creating "real competition" will ensure private hospitals and doctors - behave appropriately.
Real competition can come in 2 forms as identified by the Minister of Health :-
a. Create more new "Not-for-profit private hospitals".
b. Enhanced public healthcare capacity.
a. Create more "Not-for-profit private hospitals" - I presume are self-financing, not tapping into taxpayers' money.
- I guess healthcare charges will be higher than public hospitals (not subsidise) and need to recoup sunk-in investment.
- But I think it will be lower than private hospitals - as it is a "cost recovery model" and not price its healthcare services for "big profit".
b. Next will be to Enhanced public healthcare capacity - that is will touch on taxpayers money to build bigger public hospitals, employ more public doctors and subsidise healthcare costs.
But translate into lower healthcare costs to patients.
4. I support both models - as both will provide "real competition" -- and make healthcare prices come down to a more "sane-able" level.
5. This will benefit :-
a. Patients - lower healthcare prices and good medical outcomes
b. Policyholders - lower insurance premium
c. Insurers - sustainable insurance products
d. Private Hospitals and doctors - honest profits, salaries and bonus - not obscene money.
RY, [2/7/2025 3:56 pm]
I concur
I think public hospital svs/treatment fee and etc b4 subsidy shd serve as benchmark for private hospital, as public hospital sure have more patients than private hospitals
Private hospitals we have cases that it is over-charged or over-servicing or unnec scans/tests, and not for public hospital
Why the med ins premiums increasing over the years, it is mainly because of the private hospital over-charging/fees/bills including Dr prof fees
Hence MOH shd be focusing/monitoring the private hospital charges/fees/bills, as they are too profit-oriented
MOH has also done a gd job in controlling the cancer treatment and meds towards the big pharmaceutical companies, otherwise such meds are set so high by these pharma co in the past
MOH shd be qns the private hospital on their unnec charges also, whereby their daily room charges already high, but they still charge individual small items eg tissue box/mouthrinse n etc
Think pte hospital may charge higher for foreign patients (non SG residents) and earn more from the wealthy foreigners
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/7/2025 3:57 pm]
1. Hence we cannot cherry pick the 4 approaches - to ensure the overall healthcare prices containment is effective.
2. All 4 approaches must be adopted - to ensure cylinders are firing at all front.
3. Forgoing any one approach - will cripple the overall package - like a leak in a bucket holding the water.
REACH Singapore, [2/7/2025 4:00 pm]
π’ Topic π’
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/7/2025 4:16 pm]
1. Next Medisave and Medishield should be kept within Singapore - to pay public or private hospitals healthcare service - to prevent economic leakage.
2. The eco-system of Medisave are Singaporeans and residents savings - setting aside to service our healthcare costs, Singapore Government paying out yearly 4% interest from Singapore fiscal budget and Sovereign Funds earning and collection of Singapore taxpayers.
Government also pay periodic Medisave bonus to Elderly and younger Singaporeans in good economic time.
Hence Medisave should not be used to pay overseas hospital fees - leading to an Economic leakage out of Singapore no matter how cheap -- as Healthcare sector contribute to $17.95 billion (the 2nd largest GDP contributor) to Singapore Economy.
If Medisave is allowed to pay for overseas healthcare - our Economic Growth could plummet -- leading to job loss to our healthcare sectors - hitting jobs for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, biomedical sectors etc.
The Economic damage will be very big due to capital outflow.
3. Also Medishield premium are collective payment by Singaporeans and residents - to ensure our healthcare insurance are sustainable and medicare in Singapore are vibrant and sustainable.
Foreigners don't pay a single cent for Singapore insurance premiums but foreign hospitals received healthcare businesses from Singaporeans.
If medishield are allowed to be used to pay overseas hospitals, our medical insurance premium will spike - because of economic leakage out to the rest of the world.
Imagine all our poor Singapore policyholders pay premium - not benefiting our health sectors here but all leak out to overseas hospital.
This is a big capital leakage.
No responsible government will allow such leakage to happen that damage our economy.
Imagine $17.95 billion leak out, and Singapore all hospitals close shops in the worst scenario.
When there is emergency, ambulance send to no hospitals because local hospitals all close shops.
Joomua Tng, [2/7/2025 4:33 pm]
it only works when everyone consume only the parts where it is necessary.
the problem of private integrated medishield is the patients and doctors together.
it is known in insurance industry, Both the patients and doctors abuses the insurance system, undergoing unnecessary check up, mri, x-ray etc..
reason for such unnecessary check is due to the past insurance plan that 100% of the hospitalization cost is paid by the insurers when the patient purchased both the riders co payment and deductible.
since it is 100% paid by the insurers...patients and doctors will go for unnecessary check up....ended up increasing the insurance claim and with insurance claim rate increases, the insurance premium will increase in order to meet the cost.
........
the concept of 100% ,coverage, Now 95% , is good only when everyone plays their part of only necessary checkups..
this is something people will not adhere to.
......
solutions?
no solutions yet.
G, [2/7/2025 4:39 pm]
How does MOH ascertain what is necessary or unnecessary checks by doctors? Who are MOH to determine the medical requirements of each case? Do they want to start micromanaging each doctor?
Are they questioning doctors' professional expertise?
The very doctors that they license under their stat board SMC?
Joomua Tng, [2/7/2025 4:42 pm]
maybe just maybe.. individual claim experience discount or rebate or something.
co payment of 10% or 20% as based.
if the person didn't make claims for certain period of time the co payment reduces from 20% 'slowly down to 5% depending on the years of premium the individual has paid.
similarly to the deductible.
for exact figures...the insurers has to make the necessary calculation
Joomua Tng, [2/7/2025 4:42 pm]
it only works if the doctors play their parts also.
not all professionals like doctors or lawyers are honest.
G, [2/7/2025 5:07 pm]
How does this desire to reign in private healthcare costs fit in with marketing SG as a medical tourism hub?
Medical tourism is profit maximising, charging top dollar, perhaps even squeezing every dollar out of foreign insurers for private medical treatment
Joomua Tng, [2/7/2025 5:08 pm]
the first 2 points are hand in hand together.
....
should include code of conduct for medical doctors, like the MAS done for financial planners and insurance agent
G, [2/7/2025 5:11 pm]
"Healthcare affordable and sustainable for all"
How come drugs can be manufactured here in SG, but still be more expensive here than across the border?
It's a known fact that pharma companies price drugs to govts according to their ability to pay (countries with higher GDP pay higher price for similar drug, e.g. price of covid jabs)
So isn't it correct to say SG is effectively subsidising drug costs for other countries with such tiered pricing? Why shld SG continue to subsidise?
Khai Mun L., [2/7/2025 5:32 pm]
The observation might not be fully correct, bulk orders could be cheaper. Sg limited by size and demand.
But how to resolve this situation since the pharma companies hold the power? Tax them until they move manufacturing out of sg?
Also, we also earn in other ways by knowledge transfer to locals, jobs availability, investment by these pharm from rent, equipment purchase etc
REACH Singapore, [2/7/2025 6:01 pm]
π’ Topic π’
RY, [2/7/2025 6:03 pm]
Ins companies providing healthcare med ins and it shd be sustainable biz also for them
That explains why a need for co-ins and deductible as riders
It is gd move by MOH to remove no more 100% coverage
So as to ensure patients also have to co-pay out of pocket, and not just simply buy main/riders plans and just claimt every bills fm ins co
It is also essential for ins co to have a gd team of panel of private doctors whom are responsible and dont overcharge
For those patients who dont use insurance panel of Dr, then they may have some claiming limitation eg shorter pre and post and cap on claiming amt and etc
If there is any private Dr that overcharged, then MOH may have the right to qns the Dr, and ins co may also de-list/remove such Dr fm their panel of Dr
RY, [2/7/2025 6:11 pm]
Dr shd be penalised for their overcharged, as part of their conduct of practice
Similar to those GP Dr in recent news that mis-use the patients CHAS subsidy
Imagine how can a tele-consult be less than 1min ?
Just like MOM also has cap annually for MC and hospitalisation leave under the MOM law
Otherwise lazy employees may just mis-use & simply get MC and absent fm work easily
RY, [2/7/2025 6:17 pm]
I unsure how MOH suggestion for not for profit private hospital works .....
Bec every biz needs to be make money in order to survive and pay for the operation
It is really how much money can the biz make ultimately
RY, [2/7/2025 6:26 pm]
Rem the 2008 sub-prime crisis, USA govt require to bail the financial institutions ?
But we know quite a lumpsum of the bailout $ went into these going-to-bankrupt financial institutions CEO remunerations instead
Bec few of these institutions were too big and cant afford to close down ....
I unsure what is the remuneration of SG private hospital CEO ...
I hope these CEOs are not overpaid, and bec of this reasons, pte hospital charges are so high ....
RY, [2/7/2025 6:29 pm]
Many of SG well-known Dr are practising in pte hospitals, that may explain why some patients chosen pte hospital than public hospitals due to their preferred Dr
REACH Singapore, [2/7/2025 6:45 pm]
Dear Contributors,
⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰
Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan π
RY, [2/7/2025 6:52 pm]
For healthcare to be affordable to the general public ~
1 MOH/Pharma Co/Patient/Ins Co/ have to work as a "team", as all these parties are co-related and interlinked ultimately
2 MOH role is impt to set the rules/bencemark in fees/code of practice and etc eg Dr fees
3 MOH also has to communicate with the pharma cos, so that even the expensive cancer drugs has cap in their costs, otherwise pharma cos in order to make high profits, they may charge as high as possible
4 Ins co may offer more incentives to those patients that opt for public hospital treatment and own panel of Dr, rather than pte hospital
5 Claimt amt shd have a portion that the patient has to co-pay and not 100%, so that the patient may think thrice whenever they make any ins claimt, bec they themselves also has to co-pay out of pocket sametime - to reduce any mis-use of the med ins claimt by the patient also
6 maybe foreign patient that opt for private hospital, they may req to pay more than SG residents
7 MOH has gd system to penalise those errant/mis-conduct Dr
8 MOH also to work closely with ins co and make the premiums affordable, as the premiums are determined by the ins co ultimately
9 MOH also has to work closely with all hospitals esp the private hospital, so that they wont overcharge/charge unnec - if ins co complaint any overcharge of fees, then MOH has the right to qns the pte hospitals too
Ultimately whether ins premiums, hospital fees/charges and med costs and etc , it is all determined by the Dr/Hospital/Ins Co/Pharma Co and not patients themselves
RY, [2/7/2025 6:58 pm]
Another example
One of my overseas friend came to SG as tourists and met with a not so serious accident
Public hospital A&E Std charge
But when refer to pte hospital for further investigation, this pte Dr overcharge this foreign patient, as the consultation fees went into thousand, until my friend req the Dr to write a memo for the expensive charge, otherwise their travel ins may have prob claiming later
This pte Dr simply take advantage and overcharge
REACH Singapore, [2/7/2025 7:01 pm]
Dear Contributors
We will be closing the chat for today.
Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan π
