Tan Kin Lian's Blog: A sensible advice on coping with high medical bills

Thursday, November 22, 2012

A sensible advice on coping with high medical bills

I told an American friend, who had lived in Singapore for many years, that many elderly people are concerned about the high cost of health care in Singapore and had approached me to find out the "best medical plan" to cover their risk. I told my friend about the advice that I gave to the elderly. When he heard it, he remarked, "This is very sensible and yet many people do not realize it. It is nice for you to put it in simple terms." Here is my "sensible advice". http://tankinlian.com/Admin/File.aspx?ID=698&Frame=1

6 comments:

Weng Mao Fa said...: '...use subsidised ward.....'

Yes, it sound good.

On Wednesday early morning, ward doctor called me:' Your father is medical fit now, DISCHARGE.'

An hour later, the business office called me:'..I want to tell you the patient must be discharge within 7 days, the hospital will charge B1 rate (no subsidy)...'

The fact: Patient is medical fit but not able to take care himself and waiting for a bed at a community hospital for REHAB which the Medical Social Worker has process the case.

Dear folk, can you see the conflict of MOH policy and real care plan?; November 23, 2012 8:22 AM
Weng Mao Fa said...: Payment Method of hospital bill is REMIMBURSEMENT.

'Hospital will bill full cost to the relevant CPF account upon discharge. Medisave is debited BEFORE medishield claim', the Patient Service Center explained to me last week.

The public hospital is practicing like a private hospital for subsidy ward.; November 23, 2012 8:44 AM
Singapore's 5 Minute Investment Diary said...: Dear Mr Tan
I would suggest that the key to lowering the TOTAL medical & hospitalization costs is;
(a)early & correct diagnosis and (b)choice of effective treatment.
(c)preventive medicine
This is where the debate should be.

A doctor makes more money from corrective medicine than preventive medicine. So this conflict of interest needs to be discussed and addressed.; November 23, 2012 5:09 PM
Weng Mao Fa said...: Yesterday, I visited AMK Community Hospital to process an application for subsidy for my parent. I was given the latest application form (late-2012)from the authority.

What I like the Mean Test:
- the form is very simple and easy
- the financial help will go to the lower class citizen & PR
- it involve only residents who stay under one roof.

What I DON'T like the Mean Test:
- S pass & Employment pass holder who are also benefited under the program !

- The program never help a needy whose property value above $13k.
They are likely Middle-Lower Income group who stay in a private condo or landed property. They had pay tax and did NS. I thought this is a big question.; November 24, 2012 12:27 PM
Unknown said...: When you heard Americans with the words, "This is very sensible and yet many people do not realize it. It is nice for you to put it in simple terms."

I'll take it with a pinch of salt. Having worked with Americans myself, there're some who can be very diplomatic. And remarks like these are only seen as polite. It all depends which part of US they're from.; November 27, 2012 3:14 AM
Tan Kin Lian said...: I know that Americans are positive people, and are positive in their outlook.

They look at issues in a positive light. This is in contrast to the negative outlook that many Singaporeans are attuned to, i.e. to look at issues with a negative slight and with suspicion. It is due to our culture and environment.; November 27, 2012 5:40 AM