<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>June 27, 2009
H1N1 TESTING
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Why should being responsible cost $214?
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->WHAT is the rationale behind the charges for Influenza A (H1N1) testing by the health authori-ties?
Singaporeans and foreign visitors who
experience flu-like symptoms have come forward responsibly and, in many cases voluntarily, to be tested in an effort to contain the spread of H1N1 virus in the community, yet they are slapped with hospital charges.
On June 11, I called the 993 hotline after experiencing flu-like symptoms, especially since I had recently arrived from abroad.
I did so even though I had completed the seven-day waiting period.
The operator advised me to go immediately for H1N1 testing and sent an ambulance to take me in. While at the Communicable Disease Centre, I was told I needed to be warded overnight while waiting for my test results.�
The next day, my test results were found to be negative and I was allowed to return home, but not before I was slapped with a bill for $214.05.
Billing items included room charges, treatment fees, investigations, X-ray and lab fees, and medication.
It would be good to know the rationale of the Ministry of Health for imposing these charges to�ascertain my (negative) H1N1 status.
I would have preferred not to be warded but was given no choice and now have to pay the overnight room charges.
Also, why are all suspected H1N1 cases made to pay the laboratory fee of $60?
Daphne K. Teo (Ms)
H1N1 TESTING
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Why should being responsible cost $214?
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->WHAT is the rationale behind the charges for Influenza A (H1N1) testing by the health authori-ties?
Singaporeans and foreign visitors who
experience flu-like symptoms have come forward responsibly and, in many cases voluntarily, to be tested in an effort to contain the spread of H1N1 virus in the community, yet they are slapped with hospital charges.
On June 11, I called the 993 hotline after experiencing flu-like symptoms, especially since I had recently arrived from abroad.
I did so even though I had completed the seven-day waiting period.
The operator advised me to go immediately for H1N1 testing and sent an ambulance to take me in. While at the Communicable Disease Centre, I was told I needed to be warded overnight while waiting for my test results.�
The next day, my test results were found to be negative and I was allowed to return home, but not before I was slapped with a bill for $214.05.
Billing items included room charges, treatment fees, investigations, X-ray and lab fees, and medication.
It would be good to know the rationale of the Ministry of Health for imposing these charges to�ascertain my (negative) H1N1 status.
I would have preferred not to be warded but was given no choice and now have to pay the overnight room charges.
Also, why are all suspected H1N1 cases made to pay the laboratory fee of $60?
Daphne K. Teo (Ms)
