CHAS Control Measures

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Seah Kian Peng

MP for Marine Parade GRC

Question No. 371

To ask the Minister for Health what are the control measures to ensure that participating medical and dental clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) do not over-service and that fees remain competitive.

Oral Reply

1        Under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), lower- to middle-income Singaporeans and all Pioneers enjoy subsidised outpatient treatment at participating private medical and dental clinics, so that primary care is more accessible and affordable.  MOH has provided guidelines to the participating clinics to ensure that the subsidies are appropriately applied.  We review these guidelines from time to time to ensure they remain in line with our objectives.  We also conduct regular audits of CHAS claims to ensure compliance with our guidelines, and investigate complaints that we receive.  We take a serious view of any errant practices, and have recently suspended two clinics’ participation in CHAS.

2        Charges may vary across clinics and patients, depending on multiple factors such as the patient’s condition, the length of consultation, the treatment and medication provided, and the cost structure of the clinic, including rental and other overhead costs.  We therefore encourage doctors and dentists to actively engage their patients, and vice versa, to address any concerns from patients on their treatment and charges.  We also encourage clinics to display their common charges like consultation fees prominently in their clinics, and provide itemised receipts to patients on request.  These will make their charges more transparent to their patients and minimise misunderstanding.

3        With the number of CHAS clinics more than doubled over the past four years to about 1,600 island-wide, CHAS cardholders and Pioneers have more choices now compared to when the scheme was first launched.  Patients can also be alert to check their bills, and alert MOH on any concerns they may have.  We will investigate and advise the clinics if appropriate.