We refer to Fionna Zhang’s letter ” Don’t up subsidised fees because of Medisave use” (My Paper, Apr 21).
Medisave – approved means non-subsidised rates?
It states that “But I was also told that since patients could now use their Medisave to pay for their mammograms, CGH was charging subsidised patients at rates meant for private patients.
However, I was informed that I would continue to pay a subsidised rate for the breast ultrasound because I could not use my Medisave to pay for it.
I then asked whether I would still be entitled to the subsidised rate for the mammogram if I paid for it using cash or Nets.
The reply was “no”. Instead, I was offered the option of cancelling the scheduled mammogram and told that I could have it done at a polyclinic for $50.
I feel that CGH should not capitalise on the Ministry of Health’s decision to relax conditions for the use of Medisave to cover mammograms.”
Healthcare is subsidised up to 80%?
This may have highlighted the issue of how exactly does our system of healthcare subsidies work?
If the subsidies shown in patients’ bills, such as the 80% subsidy for class C are sufficient – why is it that hospitals may appear to have to resort to the following:
… charging non-subsidised fees for Medisave – approved procedures (as highlighted by the above newspaper forum letter)
… not allowing referrals from private clinics to choose non-subsidised class C and B2 treatment
… apparently very low success rate of about 1% for downgrading requests from class B1 and A to class B2 and C (as last reported in Parliament)
… having separate subsidised and non-subsidised specialist clinics in some hospitals
… telling patients that their appointments, diagnostic tests or treatment may be delayef if they choose to be a subsidised patient
… patients cannot select a surgeon, unless they opt for non-subsidised treatment
If our public healthcare system is so well subsidused up to 80% – why is it that compared to countries like Malaysia and Hong Kong – public healthcare costs are generally 50 to 90% cheaper than Singspore’s?
SY Lee and Leong Sze Hian
