“LOOSEN” THE KNOT
To “loosen and untie” the knot “step by step”, every stakeholder must do their part, and the Ministry of Health (MOH) will facilitate the process, said Mdm Rahayu.
“We have urged the insurance industry to relook their overly-generous policy design, such as minimal rider co-payment. Insurers will need to balance between providing assurance and protection, and encouraging prudent consumption and servicing,” she said.
The ministry will do more to educate consumers on choosing the appropriate health insurance coverage for their needs, and will soon launch a public education campaign, added Mdm Rahayu.
To “rein in sector cost increases”, MOH has developed and published over 2,800 doctor fee benchmarks that providers and insurers reference in order to set fees and review reimbursements, she said.
The ministry will also study what more can be done to guide fee setting by private hospitals, Mdm Rahayu added.
This could mean introducing more benchmarks beyond those relating to professional fees, she said later in response to a question from MP Vikram Nair (PAP-Sembawang).
In a supplementary question, MP Fadli Fawzi (WP-Aljunied) asked whether benchmarks will be used for the costs of consumables such as hospital gowns.
“We already had benchmarks on the professional fees. We are looking at how we can also create some benchmarks on hospitals’ costs, which would probably include some of the elements you mentioned,” said Mdm Rahayu.
The ministry will study what more can be done to guide fee setting by private hospitals, Mdm Rahayu added.
“MOH will also continue to work through the Multilateral Healthcare Insurance Committee, which brings together key stakeholders from healthcare providers, medical professionals, insurers and consumer representatives, to address these issues collaboratively,” she said.
