MOH absorbs H1N1 testing fees fully

04 Jul 2009, The Straits Times

Question

What's free, exactly?

THE reply by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday ('It's free but not all fees') to Forum letters asking why Influenza A (H1N1) testing was so costly and for clarity in fee charges must surely leave others like me still puzzled.

First, why was there an $85 charge at the Communicable Disease Centre referred to by Ms Mee Mee Degani last Saturday ('People asked to take the H1N1 test are charged $85 each. Shouldn't they be told upfront?') when the ministry's reply stated that the test is free? Is the $85 charge by Tan Tock Seng Hospital an entrance fee?

Second, why was it necessary for Ms Daphne Teo ('Why should being responsible cost $214?', last Saturday) to be hospitalised while waiting for the H1N1 test result?

The ministry should state clearly what one must expect to be the minimum cost of an H1NI test at the Communicable Disease Centre, because it cannot be free if there is an $85 charge.

It is also unhelpful for the reply to state that those who need to be hospitalised are heavily subsidised up to 80 per cent of their 'medical costs', without clarifying exactly what such 'medical costs' include.

If Ms Teo had been subsidised 80 per cent of her $214.05 bill, it would have been unlikely that she would have raised the matter in public.

'Up to 80 per cent' does not mean everyone is 'heavily' subsidised.

The ministry should also publicise effectively that H1N1 tests are carried out at the Communicable Disease Centre and not in the A&E departments of hospitals, if such were the case.

Reply

Reply from MOH 

Mr Denis Distant asked about H1N1 testing and the associated charges ("What's free, exactly?", ST, 3 Jul).

To assess if a person has been infected by H1N1, several tests have to be done: first to detect influenza A, then its subtype (H3 or H1), and finally the specific strain.  Testing is by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).  For doubtful cases where samples have low virus concentration, more tests may need to be carried out. 

That is why it takes several hours by specialised laboratories and skilled professionals.  The cost of the laboratory assessment comes to about $250 per patient.  MOH absorbs the full cost of such laboratory testing.

Patients, however have to pay the normal attendance fees at the hospital Emergency Department and ward charges if they are hospitalised. 

Now that the Pandemic Preparedness Clinic (PPC) are ready, Singaporeans with mild flu-like symptoms are advised to visit them rather than hospitals or call 993 Ambulance.  The doctors will deal with the disease clinically and most of the time, H1N1 testing should not be necessary.