Rationale for Polyclinics to Charge Singaporeans Private Rates for Follow-up Outpatient Treatment for Referrals Made by General Practitioners on CHAS

61 Mr Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the rationale of polyclinics charging Singaporeans at private rates for follow-up outpatient treatment or investigations when the referrals are made by general practitioners (GPs) whom they have seen for consultations under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS); and (b) whether this policy can be reviewed to allow Singaporeans tapping on CHAS to get subsidised rates for such referrals from GPs participating in CHAS.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: Polyclinics provide subsidised care for the management of acute and chronic conditions. Subsidies are available for doctor consultations, as well as drugs, tests and other services assessed by the polyclinic doctor to be clinically appropriate for the patient.

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.

Nevertheless, the ministry will review how we can better support CHAS patients whose care is managed by CHAS GPs, including ways to improve access to clinically appropriate subsidised tests and investigations. We thank the Member for his feedback.