WE THANK Mr Chan Chong Pak ("Simple way to rein in abuse of health-care claims"; Jan 22) and Mr Paul Chan Poh Hoi ("Clamp down on doctoring of claims"; Jan 23) for their suggestions to ensure a system of checks for claims made by general practitioner and dental clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas).
Chas has allowed private medical and dental clinics to partner the Ministry of Health in making subsidised primary care more accessible for lower- to middle-income Singaporeans and pioneers within the community.
We assure our Chas beneficiaries that the Chas claims submitted by clinics are closely monitored by the ministry, and clinics have been and will continue to be called upon to account for any exceptional claims.
Charges can differ from clinic to clinic and from patient to patient, depending on the condition, treatment provided, medication prescribed and length of consultation.
All licensed clinics are strongly encouraged to display their common charges such as consultation and procedural fees prominently, and issue itemised receipts with a breakdown of the treatment costs and subsidy received to their patients. This will make the charges more transparent to their patients.
In addition, upon a patient's request, it is compulsory for clinics to issue an itemised breakdown of charges.
As members of respected professions, doctors and dentists are expected to adhere to the highest standard of professionalism and always act in the best interest of the patient.
The Singapore Medical Council's and Singapore Dental Council's Ethical Codes and Ethical Guidelines state that doctors and dentists cannot abuse the doctor/dentist-patient relationship for personal gain. Indeed, the vast majority of our doctors and dentists do observe these codes and guidelines closely.
The MOH will continue to monitor the situation closely, and encourages patients to actively engage their doctors and dentists, and vice versa, to address potential queries on treatment and charges.
Lim Bee Khim (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health
Chas has allowed private medical and dental clinics to partner the Ministry of Health in making subsidised primary care more accessible for lower- to middle-income Singaporeans and pioneers within the community.
We assure our Chas beneficiaries that the Chas claims submitted by clinics are closely monitored by the ministry, and clinics have been and will continue to be called upon to account for any exceptional claims.
Charges can differ from clinic to clinic and from patient to patient, depending on the condition, treatment provided, medication prescribed and length of consultation.
All licensed clinics are strongly encouraged to display their common charges such as consultation and procedural fees prominently, and issue itemised receipts with a breakdown of the treatment costs and subsidy received to their patients. This will make the charges more transparent to their patients.
In addition, upon a patient's request, it is compulsory for clinics to issue an itemised breakdown of charges.
As members of respected professions, doctors and dentists are expected to adhere to the highest standard of professionalism and always act in the best interest of the patient.
The Singapore Medical Council's and Singapore Dental Council's Ethical Codes and Ethical Guidelines state that doctors and dentists cannot abuse the doctor/dentist-patient relationship for personal gain. Indeed, the vast majority of our doctors and dentists do observe these codes and guidelines closely.
The MOH will continue to monitor the situation closely, and encourages patients to actively engage their doctors and dentists, and vice versa, to address potential queries on treatment and charges.
Lim Bee Khim (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health
