Healthcare Financing
Overview
| |
In Singapore, healthcare services are provided by both the government and the private sector. Currently, the public sector provides 80% of hospital care and 20% of primary care. Public health services are subsidized through general taxation.
In the public hospitals, patients can choose different classes of ward accommodation ranging from 1-bedded room to an open dormitory with 8 or more beds. Patients in the private class wards such as the 1-2 bedded rooms (Class A) or 3-4 bedded rooms (Class B1) pay the full cost or only receive minimal subsidies. Patients in the heavily subsidised ward classes such as those wards with 5 or more beds will be subsidised according to their ability to pay.
Public sector health services are provided to cater to the lower income groups who cannot afford private sector charges, and also to set the benchmark for the private sector on professional standards and charges. In private hospitals and outpatient clinics, patients pay the amount charged by the hospitals and doctors on a fee-for-service basis.
In 2005, Singapore spent about S$7.4 billion or 3.7% of GDP on healthcare. Out of which, Government expenditure on health services was S$1.8 billion or 0.9% of GDP.
Healthcare in Singapore is financed by a combination of taxes, employee medical benefits, compulsory savings in the form of Medisave, insurance and out-of-pocket payment.
Some of the indicators of healthcare status in Singapore are given below:
The financing philosophy of Singapore's healthcare delivery system is based on individual responsibility and community support. Patients are expected to co-pay part of their medical expenses and to pay more when they demand a higher level of service. At the same time, Government subsidies help to keep basic healthcare affordable.
To help Singaporeans to pay for their medical expenses, the Government has put in place a financing framework, which consists of Medisave, Medishield, ElderShield and Medifund.
|
|
|