Subsidy Vouchers to Offset Cost Differentials between Polyclinic and Private GP Clinic Visits for Elderly and Less Mobile Patients
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Dr Tan Wu Meng’s proposal for subsidy vouchers to offset cost differentials between polyclinics and private GPs for elderly patients and improving clinic access for those with limited mobility or digital literacy. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung responded that existing subsidies under CHAS, the Pioneer Generation, and Merdeka Generation schemes already mitigate cost differences, supplemented by comparable medication pricing through Healthier SG. He further noted that MediSave can be utilized for chronic disease management at both polyclinics and private GP clinics. Regarding accessibility, the Minister explained that while appointment-based, polyclinics reserve specific slots for walk-in patients with urgent needs or mobility issues. He added that seniors can also book appointments via telephone or in person if they face difficulties with digital booking systems.
Transcript
33 Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Health (a) whether he will consider portable subsidy vouchers to underwrite cost differentials between polyclinic and private GP clinic for the elderly and less mobile patients who face difficulty getting appointments at the local polyclinic and who have been advised by the polyclinic to visit nearby GP clinics; and (b) what is being done to improve access to polyclinic care amidst digital booking systems, for seniors with limited mobility, means or digital literacy.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Government subsidies are already available to lower the cost differential between polyclinic and Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) general practitioner (GP) visits for eligible patients. This includes seniors who enjoy higher Pioneer Generation (PG) and Merdeka Generation (MG) subsidies at CHAS GP clinics than the standard tiers of CHAS subsidies. In addition, under the Healthier SG Chronic Tier, CHAS/MG/PG cardholders can access selected chronic medications at their enrolled Healthier SG GP clinic at prices comparable to those at polyclinics. Beyond this, patients can also use MediSave to pay for their chronic disease treatments under the Chronic Disease Management Programme at CHAS GP clinics, no different from that at the polyclinics.
Polyclinics generally operate on an appointment basis to ensure better allocation of resources. Patients who are unable to obtain a slot from online booking systems can still call to make their appointments or walk into the polyclinics to book an appointment if needed. The polyclinics will set aside some slots for walk-in patients with urgent medical needs, as well as for elderly patients, particularly those who are frail and have mobility issues. Non-urgent cases may be given an appointment for another day or advised to seek treatment at a nearby CHAS GP clinic.