COLLABORATIVE AND MULTI-STAKEHOLDER APPROACH NEEDED TO ADDRESS DEEPER INSURANCE ISSUES

We refer to Dr Ng Chee Kwan’s letter “Need for regulations that put patient care ahead of commercial decisions by insurers” (Sept 30).

The Ministry of Health (MOH) agrees with Dr Ng that continuity of patient care and access to care are important. That is why MOH monitors Integrated Shield Plan (IP) insurers’ panel coverage to ensure there is reasonable patient access and choice, and we note that most insurers maintain panels of at least 600 private specialists. With the Extended Panel, policyholders can also access doctors on other IP insurers’ panels.

We can, however, also understand the challenges faced by insurers. If a clinician charges fees significantly higher than their panel fee ranges or makes inappropriate claims, insurers will want to send a signal by removing him from the panel. In general, insurers should try to ensure there is reasonable patient access and choice in forming panels, and to ensure churn is not excessive.

Both doctors and insurers have legitimate concerns, and a balance needs to be struck. Ultimately, as MOH has explained, the underlying issue concerning IPs and riders is the generous coverage, almost to the last dollar, which leads to a greater tendency for over-consumption, over-servicing and over-charging in the private healthcare sector. This results in rising claims and in turn premiums, with doctors, hospitals, insurers and consumers all caught in a knot. The issue of panels is just one symptom of this.

Dr Ng is a member of the Multilateral Healthcare Insurance Committee (MHIC). This is a platform where professional associations, insurers, hospitals, the Monetary Authority of Singapore and MOH address issues surrounding IP coverage and the private healthcare sector.

He is aware of MOH’s effort to set up a work group under the MHIC to look into panel-related issues. We welcome Dr Ng to be part of this dialogue and to work constructively alongside other key stakeholders to develop balanced solutions.

MOH strongly urges all stakeholders – insurers, doctors, healthcare providers, policyholders – to play their part and work collaboratively to bring the private healthcare ecosystem back to a sustainable footing.

Lydia Loh
Group Director, Healthcare Finance Group
Ministry of Health