KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

I don't understand why some doc can anyhow charge.
Fr the papers, a similar procedure in private can cost thrice as compared to govt. Why? Isnt the same process to solve an issue?
The rider issue shld be removed so that all have to co-pay.

Thanks for sharing.

Aviva, Prudential set to be first to declare Integrated Shield Plan premium hikes
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/h ... mium-hikes

Although this is expected, I am still very disappointed.

starlight1968sg wrote:I don't understand why some doc can anyhow charge.
Fr the papers, a similar procedure in private can cost thrice as compared to govt. Why? Isnt the same process to solve an issue?
The rider issue shld be removed so that all have to co-pay.

The whole essence of "private" is that they can charge as much as the market will bear, although at the upper end it can be regarded as wholly over-the-top and the Medical Council will step in. Doctors in private practice do give more "frills" - nicer waiting rooms, shorter waiting time (for things like surgeries, procedures and dispensing, not necessarily in the waiting room), more molly-coddling, higher-paid support staff (who will be nicer to patients) etc. It's the same reason why chicken rice can cost anything from $3 to $20+ depending on where you choose to eat.

But from a public policy perspective, I do agree that some co-payment and fee caps should be mandatory. To be fair to the doctors, it's sometimes the patients who demand lots of tests and procedures because they have heard about them from friends etc, and they want to do everything possible, however remote the chance that it will help. So many people also try to find the "right" specialism themselves, and sometimes have to visit a few and undergo unnecessary tests, rather than go to a GP first to pinpoint which specialism might be more appropriate.

Patients will ask for this and that treatments with some probably unnecessary, esp if the fees can be fully reimbursed.
If fees are co-pay, most likely they will think thrice.

This is the same mindset as going to a buffet ie eat as much as you can.

I think insurers should implement a NCD - no claim discount
Similar to motor insurance

Could be some black sheeps making erroneous claims but this pool of people drive up health insurance premium for everyone.

When insurers raised premium across the board, people who did not abuse the system suffered the premium hike too.

There may be min impact to insurers with regards to some policyholders who just make whatever claims bec ultimately it is the policyholders who foot the bill (via premiums) eventually.

Good point.

Hi All, I'm new here and just came across this interesting thread. I believe that the population here is small and there are a lot of older generations making a lot of claims hence the high premiums offered across the board.

For those on Mindef/SAF Group insurance, did you add the rider Living Care which covers 37CIs?