Zainal raised the issue in Parliament last month and asked why polyclinics charge CHAS card-holding patients private rates when they are referred by CHAS-registered clinics.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong responded in a written reply. He said: “Some private GPs today refer their patients to polyclinics for specific services, such as X-rays or tests.
“As these patients are not assessed by polyclinic doctors, our doctors are unable to determine whether the ordered tests or investigations are appropriate. Therefore, they are considered private healthcare services, for which polyclinic subsidies do not apply.”
The Minister promised that the Ministry of Health (MOH) will review how it can better support CHAS patients who see GPs at CHAS-registered clinics. He said that MOH will also look into “ways to improve access to clinically appropriate subsidised tests and investigations.”
On Facebook, Zainal said: “I believe MOH, as a matter of professional courtesy and trust in the Chas GPs, should consider any follow-up tests/investigations ordered by the Chas GPs as necessary and appropriate.”
Noting that GPs send their patients to polyclinics since they do not have equipment to order tests like X-rays, he added: “Since, Chas patients were means-tested, they should be given the subsidised rates at polyclinics for follow-up tests or investigations ordered by private Chas GPs.
http://theindependent.sg/polyclinic...bsidies-not-allowed-as-referral-came-from-gp/
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong responded in a written reply. He said: “Some private GPs today refer their patients to polyclinics for specific services, such as X-rays or tests.
“As these patients are not assessed by polyclinic doctors, our doctors are unable to determine whether the ordered tests or investigations are appropriate. Therefore, they are considered private healthcare services, for which polyclinic subsidies do not apply.”
The Minister promised that the Ministry of Health (MOH) will review how it can better support CHAS patients who see GPs at CHAS-registered clinics. He said that MOH will also look into “ways to improve access to clinically appropriate subsidised tests and investigations.”
On Facebook, Zainal said: “I believe MOH, as a matter of professional courtesy and trust in the Chas GPs, should consider any follow-up tests/investigations ordered by the Chas GPs as necessary and appropriate.”
Noting that GPs send their patients to polyclinics since they do not have equipment to order tests like X-rays, he added: “Since, Chas patients were means-tested, they should be given the subsidised rates at polyclinics for follow-up tests or investigations ordered by private Chas GPs.
http://theindependent.sg/polyclinic...bsidies-not-allowed-as-referral-came-from-gp/
