Subsidy Level at Polyclinics and Restructured Hospitals for Patients with Private Insurance Coverage for Hospitalisation but Not Outpatient Treatment

46 Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for Health (a) in each of the last five years, how many appeals have been received from patients asking for subsidised outpatient medical assistance at polyclinics and restructured hospitals though they have private insurance which covers only hospitalisation and not outpatient treatment; and (b) whether patients with private insurance coverage for hospitalisation but not outpatient treatment can still be allowed to receive subsidised medical treatment at both polyclinics and restructured hospitals.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: Singaporeans can benefit from subsidised outpatient treatments at all our polyclinics and hospitals, regardless of their insurance coverage. All Singaporeans receive subsidised treatments at our polyclinics. As for our public hospitals' Specialist Outpatient Clinics (SOC), patients with valid polyclinic referrals and CHAS cardholders with valid CHAS clinic referrals, as well as patients discharged from B2 or C hospital wards, are eligible for subsidised medical treatments.

Patients may opt for private SOC services or A or B1 wards for various reasons, including choosing specific doctor or taking advantage of private insurance coverage. Some of these patients may later request to switch to subsidised care due to financial concerns. Our public healthcare providers assess such requests on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration factors including the patient's financial circumstances. In the past five years, on average, we have received about 4,000 requests a year to switch from private to subsidised SOC care.

Patients who are facing financial difficulties can approach the medical social workers to discuss available options.