The present discussion of healthcare costs in SG reminds me of an incident a few months ago.
My friend's husband had a bad back problem. He went to see a doc at Mt E. The doctor told him he had a slip disc and had to go for an operation. Doc asked him whether he had medical insurance. He was covered by company's medical insurance. Doctor asked him to show the medical insurance document. After seeing the document, doctor said he can be warded at Mt E. The estimated stay was 3 days and estimated cost S$43,000. He was shocked but doctor assured him that he didnt have to pay anything as everything will be paid for by the insurance.
When I visited him the next day after the operation he related the story to me. He remarked that the doctor had overcharged him. I asked why didnt he discuss that with the doctor. He said never mind as the insurance company will pay for everything. I told him that this manipulation and abuse of medical coverage and costs will cause insurance premium to rocket.
This is the problem. Doctors overcharge based on what patient's insurance will pay. But this will cause insurance premium to go up.
Doctors are taking healthcare as a business to make huge money out of it.
MOH must step in to stop this manipulation and abuse
My friend's husband had a bad back problem. He went to see a doc at Mt E. The doctor told him he had a slip disc and had to go for an operation. Doc asked him whether he had medical insurance. He was covered by company's medical insurance. Doctor asked him to show the medical insurance document. After seeing the document, doctor said he can be warded at Mt E. The estimated stay was 3 days and estimated cost S$43,000. He was shocked but doctor assured him that he didnt have to pay anything as everything will be paid for by the insurance.
When I visited him the next day after the operation he related the story to me. He remarked that the doctor had overcharged him. I asked why didnt he discuss that with the doctor. He said never mind as the insurance company will pay for everything. I told him that this manipulation and abuse of medical coverage and costs will cause insurance premium to rocket.
This is the problem. Doctors overcharge based on what patient's insurance will pay. But this will cause insurance premium to go up.
Doctors are taking healthcare as a business to make huge money out of it.
MOH must step in to stop this manipulation and abuse
