Marketing gimmicks and misleading advertisements by private hospitals

[True Believer]

It continues to mystify me that MOH insists that private hospital charges should not be under their purview even though healthcare is an essential service. In spite of this contention, MOH can still keep a closer eye on marketing gimmicks and misleading advertisements by private hospitals, which promote fixed price surgical packages with claims of giving patients more certainty in their final bill, in view of the vast cost variations currently seen.

 

[True Believer]

The median price for a breast lump removal for private patients can range from $3,137 to $4,411 at Changi General Hospital to a $8,605 to $10,619 at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital. On paper, eliminating the spectre of uncertainty for the patients through fixed price surgical packages sounds like an attractive proposition. It is a well-known fact that total bills which far exceed initial estimations upon admission are a common occurrence in private hospitals.

 

[laksaboy]

It might be a case of you get what you paid for. For the wealthy medical tourists, do you think they would go to Gleneagles or Mount E, or CGH or NUH?

Don't forget the trash FT doctors the public hospitals are recruiting these days. If you want a quality one, you might have to wait. And time may not be on your side.

 

[50000]

It might be a case of you get what you paid for. For the wealthy medical tourists, do you think they would go to Gleneagles or Mount E, or CGH or NUH?

Don't forget the trash FT doctors the public hospitals are recruiting these days. If you want a quality one, you might have to wait. And time may not be on your side.

A doctor originally from HK based at SGH botched up my eye procedure 10 years ago. I had to get an emergency corrective procedure from a private specialist 1 week later. I will never choose govt again.

 

[congo9]

It continues to mystify me that MOH insists that private hospital charges should not be under their purview even though healthcare is an essential service. In spite of this contention, MOH can still keep a closer eye on marketing gimmicks and misleading advertisements by private hospitals, which promote fixed price surgical packages with claims of giving patients more certainty in their final bill, in view of the vast cost variations currently seen.

Knn, when a pte hospital can do that, why is the MOH kpkbing about ?

I can only think of this scenario. Govt has been charging super high charges, even higher then MOH hospital and then pretend to give a generous discount on the final bill. Wow ... singkie MOH is so good. ... the people in MOH is so benevolent. ! Hail PAP.

 

[True Believer]

It might be a case of you get what you paid for. For the wealthy medical tourists, do you think they would go to Gleneagles or Mount E, or CGH or NUH?
Don't forget the trash FT doctors the public hospitals are recruiting these days. If you want a quality one, you might have to wait. And time may not be on your side.

The problem with these fixed price packages in private hospitals is that the devil is in the details. The bundled price comprises of the operating theatre charges, surgeon’s fees and only standard consumable items. Room or ward charges are usually not included. The published fixed price is no longer valid if the operation runs into complications, which is almost always no fault of the patient’s. There is also an exclusion list which contains many items that surgeons may require for any procedure that is less than straightforward. If the patient’s condition does not require a complex operation, then wouldn’t elective surgery at a later date in a public sector hospital suffice, instead of seeking the expertise of a senior consultant at a premier private hospital at the earliest opportunity?

 

[True Believer]

Knn, when a pte hospital can do that, why is the MOH kpkbing about ? I can only think of this scenario. Govt has been charging super high charges, even higher then MOH hospital and then pretend to give a generous discount on the final bill. Wow ... singkie MOH is so good. ... the people in MOH is so benevolent. ! Hail PAP.

The so-called subsidy given by the govt at public sector hospitals is a market subsidy i.e. a discount when compared to private hospital rates.