Windwaver Turbocharged April 20, 2021 Share April 20, 2021 Did a search and is surprise nobody post this before https://www.todayonline.com/explainer-why-singapore-medical-association-and-private-insurers-locked-battle-over-integrated-shield-plans Explainer: Why the Singapore Medical Association and private insurers are locked in battle over Integrated Shield Plans The Singapore Medical Association (SMA) and Life Insurance Association Singapore (LIA) are at odds over the mechanics of Integrated Shield Plans SMA issued a position statement decrying that the insurers had formed “highly exclusive” medical panels and disrespected fee benchmarks SMA also complained that insurance premiums had increasingly been used for non-healthcare cost items LIA’s comeback alluded to “over-treatment” by medical providers It also criticised SMA for using misleading analysis SINGAPORE — An ongoing tussle between the medical fraternity and insurance companies is intensifying over the payouts, premiums and doctor panels of Integrated Shield Plans (IPs). Such insurance plans are made of two parts: A MediShield Life component managed by the Central Provident Fund Board, and the other is provided by private insurers. About seven in 10 residents here had bought these plans from private insurers to get added coverage on top of MediShield Life, the Government’s basic health insurance plan for all citizens and permanent residents. Last Thursday (March 25), the Singapore Medical Association (SMA) launched an offensive and spelt out in a position statement how IP insurers had been curtailing doctor choice by: This came after weeks of exchanges among insurance policyholders, doctors and the Life Insurance Association Singapore (LIA) on the topic in The Straits Times’ Forum page. SMA also said that insurance premiums collected were “excessively” spent on non-healthcare cost items, pointing out that the growth in insurers’ management expenses (56.6 per cent) and commission for insurance agents (50.4 per cent) had far outstripped that of the medical claims (35.9 per cent). “Instead of repeatedly lamenting that healthcare providers and policyholders are to blame for the losses incurred by some IP insurers through overconsumption, overservicing and overcharging, IP insurers should take the necessary steps to explore cutting their own management and commission costs to enhance the sustainability of the IP sector,” it said. LIA, representing insurers, issued a response to SMA on Monday, saying there were cases of “over-treatment” by medical providers and calling out SMA for using misleading analysis on insurers’ costs and claim costs. On its part, SMA has chosen to take matters into its own hands by introducing an initiative to rank insurers on an annual basis to show the public how appropriate each of the insurers’ fee scales are, and how difficult it is for policyholders to use non-panel doctors. SMA has also set up a complaints committee for patients and doctors to flag issues related to IPs and health insurance, including when patients are being denied insurance coverage or when doctors are not adequately reimbursed for their services. ↡ Advertisement 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaiyotakamli Supersonic April 20, 2021 Share April 20, 2021 Its true that when pte doc see patient have IP goes overcharge and do more unnecessary checks 4 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
badlammy 6th Gear April 20, 2021 Share April 20, 2021 Specialists panel is like authorised workshop. You can imagine what will happen if there is an as-charged plan for any workshop. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayleigh 6th Gear April 21, 2021 Share April 21, 2021 9 hours ago, Thaiyotakamli said: Its true that when pte doc see patient have IP goes overcharge and do more unnecessary checks I have to fully agree with your statement. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustank Hypersonic April 21, 2021 Share April 21, 2021 10 hours ago, Thaiyotakamli said: Its true that when pte doc see patient have IP goes overcharge and do more unnecessary checks I think next time health insurance will be like cat insurance Heng I choose govt hospital nobody can say govt hospital got trick 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaiyotakamli Supersonic April 21, 2021 Share April 21, 2021 1 minute ago, Mustank said: I think next time health insurance will be like cat insurance Heng I choose govt hospital nobody can say govt hospital got trick U go govt hospitals need to wait longer and many times they use patients as guinea pig for their intern doc as well as lab experiments😅 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustank Hypersonic April 21, 2021 Share April 21, 2021 Just now, Thaiyotakamli said: U go govt hospitals need to wait longer and many times they use patients as guinea pig for their intern doc as well as lab experiments😅 Won’t lah You must believe in our govt lah 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiLangKia Supersonic April 21, 2021 Share April 21, 2021 3 minutes ago, Mustank said: I think next time health insurance will be like cat insurance Heng I choose govt hospital nobody can say govt hospital got trick You insuring your pussy ah😂 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaiyotakamli Supersonic April 21, 2021 Share April 21, 2021 Just now, Mustank said: Won’t lah You must believe in our govt lah We had bad experiences with govt hospitals including NUH, SGH and CGH now my mother rather pay 30% for pte treatment than 100% free at govt hospital lol 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
13177 Hypersonic April 21, 2021 Share April 21, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Thaiyotakamli said: U go govt hospitals need to wait longer and many times they use patients as guinea pig for their intern doc as well as lab experiments😅 Still can go govt hospitals but as a private patient lo, think charges still cheaper than private hospitals. Then you can choose the doctor and waiting time should be shorter. Using patients as guinea pig for their intern doc maybe true, esp if you go to NUH since NUH is near to their medical school, many intern doc and medical students always go to ward to disturb patients. Lol. Edited April 21, 2021 by 13177 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kangadrool Supersonic April 21, 2021 Share April 21, 2021 So if our plan is to just use public hospital, should we just stick with CPF cover or upgrade to IP? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesc Hypersonic April 21, 2021 Share April 21, 2021 Oh no The problem of over medication. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mason016 Supersonic April 21, 2021 Share April 21, 2021 Plus 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windwaver Turbocharged April 21, 2021 Author Share April 21, 2021 1 hour ago, Kangadrool said: So if our plan is to just use public hospital, should we just stick with CPF cover or upgrade to IP? IP if you want more features like higher limits, longer pre/pos coverage, these are not available in standard medishield life. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wind30 Turbocharged April 21, 2021 Share April 21, 2021 .... my old classmate group chat actually talked about this in quite a detail 14 hours ago, Windwaver said: Did a search and is surprise nobody post this before https://www.todayonline.com/explainer-why-singapore-medical-association-and-private-insurers-locked-battle-over-integrated-shield-plans Explainer: Why the Singapore Medical Association and private insurers are locked in battle over Integrated Shield Plans The Singapore Medical Association (SMA) and Life Insurance Association Singapore (LIA) are at odds over the mechanics of Integrated Shield Plans SMA issued a position statement decrying that the insurers had formed “highly exclusive” medical panels and disrespected fee benchmarks SMA also complained that insurance premiums had increasingly been used for non-healthcare cost items LIA’s comeback alluded to “over-treatment” by medical providers It also criticised SMA for using misleading analysis SINGAPORE — An ongoing tussle between the medical fraternity and insurance companies is intensifying over the payouts, premiums and doctor panels of Integrated Shield Plans (IPs). Such insurance plans are made of two parts: A MediShield Life component managed by the Central Provident Fund Board, and the other is provided by private insurers. About seven in 10 residents here had bought these plans from private insurers to get added coverage on top of MediShield Life, the Government’s basic health insurance plan for all citizens and permanent residents. Last Thursday (March 25), the Singapore Medical Association (SMA) launched an offensive and spelt out in a position statement how IP insurers had been curtailing doctor choice by: This came after weeks of exchanges among insurance policyholders, doctors and the Life Insurance Association Singapore (LIA) on the topic in The Straits Times’ Forum page. SMA also said that insurance premiums collected were “excessively” spent on non-healthcare cost items, pointing out that the growth in insurers’ management expenses (56.6 per cent) and commission for insurance agents (50.4 per cent) had far outstripped that of the medical claims (35.9 per cent). “Instead of repeatedly lamenting that healthcare providers and policyholders are to blame for the losses incurred by some IP insurers through overconsumption, overservicing and overcharging, IP insurers should take the necessary steps to explore cutting their own management and commission costs to enhance the sustainability of the IP sector,” it said. LIA, representing insurers, issued a response to SMA on Monday, saying there were cases of “over-treatment” by medical providers and calling out SMA for using misleading analysis on insurers’ costs and claim costs. On its part, SMA has chosen to take matters into its own hands by introducing an initiative to rank insurers on an annual basis to show the public how appropriate each of the insurers’ fee scales are, and how difficult it is for policyholders to use non-panel doctors. SMA has also set up a complaints committee for patients and doctors to flag issues related to IPs and health insurance, including when patients are being denied insurance coverage or when doctors are not adequately reimbursed for their services. if SMA got time, please handle all the patient complaints first... it takes like years for a complaint to even get a hearing??? duh.... 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windwaver Turbocharged April 21, 2021 Author Share April 21, 2021 3 hours ago, Thaiyotakamli said: We had bad experiences with govt hospitals including NUH, SGH and CGH now my mother rather pay 30% for pte treatment than 100% free at govt hospital lol Doctor inexperience or long waiting time? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etnt Turbocharged April 21, 2021 Share April 21, 2021 i'm fine with public healthcare, just a steep onboarding curve via long wait time for initial appointment and the initial filtering by severity. Thereafter it's quite prompt actually once you are in the system Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaiyotakamli Supersonic April 21, 2021 Share April 21, 2021 8 minutes ago, Windwaver said: Doctor inexperience or long waiting time? Both even if ask senior consultant or prof doc still same, experienced but no patience. pte doctors more experienced, patience and no rush, explain also more clear. also pte doctors tend to build relationships and retain patients. If public many times the doc bochup attitude, take it or leave it service. Public can go if its A&E ↡ Advertisement 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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