<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Means testing at hospitals going smoothly
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Salma Khalik, Health Correspondent
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Mr Khaw Boon Wan said the introduction of means testing on Jan 1 this year has not caused a noticeable change in the way patients choose their wards. More than 90 per cent of patients in C class wards continue to get the full 80 per cent subsidy. -- ST FILE PHOTO
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->THE introduction of means testing to decide the level of government help for subsidised patients at public hospitals has been 'uneventful' and 'hassle-free'.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan also told Parliament yesterday that there has been no noticeable change in how patients choose ward classes.
Until last year, all patients in a B2 class ward received a flat 65 per cent subsidy while those in C class got an 80 per cent subsidy.
This changed on Jan 1 this year, with the introduction of graduated levels of subsidies based on a patient's income or house type. Subsidies for B2 now range from 50 per cent to 65 per cent while those for C class range from 65 per cent to 80 per cent.
Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang GRC) had asked if more middle- income patients, who now receive a lower subsidy, were opting for C class wards.
There has been no noticeable change in the way patients choose their ward class, said Mr Khaw. More than 90 per cent of patients continue to get the full subsidy of 80 per cent in a C class ward and 65 per cent in B2 class - as projected by the Health Ministry before implementation.
'By and large, Singaporeans choose their wards carefully because we introduced financial counselling to advise patients to choose the right wards,' he said.
The average bill size for the subsidised classes remains at about $1,500, 'well within the Medisave withdrawal limits'.
He added that means testing was put in place 'to pre-empt a future problem' when the quality of these wards improves - which is something he plans to do.
Without means testing, he fears that people who can well afford the private A and B1 classes would be drawn to a subsidised ward instead. Means testing ensures 'that C and B2 remain reserved largely for poorer patients'.
Dr Ong Seh Hong (Marine Parade GRC) commented on the confusion arising from different methods and levels of means testing between public hospitals and step-down facilities such as nursing homes.
He asked if the minister planned a 'unified' scheme to make it easier to move patients between different places. No, said Mr Khaw. Patients in hospitals face large bills, so they need heavier subsidies. A unified approach 'will end up either unnecessarily subsidising those who may not need the subsidy, or be too stringent on those who do', he explained.
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Salma Khalik, Health Correspondent
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
Mr Khaw Boon Wan said the introduction of means testing on Jan 1 this year has not caused a noticeable change in the way patients choose their wards. More than 90 per cent of patients in C class wards continue to get the full 80 per cent subsidy. -- ST FILE PHOTO
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->THE introduction of means testing to decide the level of government help for subsidised patients at public hospitals has been 'uneventful' and 'hassle-free'.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan also told Parliament yesterday that there has been no noticeable change in how patients choose ward classes.
Until last year, all patients in a B2 class ward received a flat 65 per cent subsidy while those in C class got an 80 per cent subsidy.
This changed on Jan 1 this year, with the introduction of graduated levels of subsidies based on a patient's income or house type. Subsidies for B2 now range from 50 per cent to 65 per cent while those for C class range from 65 per cent to 80 per cent.
Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang GRC) had asked if more middle- income patients, who now receive a lower subsidy, were opting for C class wards.
There has been no noticeable change in the way patients choose their ward class, said Mr Khaw. More than 90 per cent of patients continue to get the full subsidy of 80 per cent in a C class ward and 65 per cent in B2 class - as projected by the Health Ministry before implementation.
'By and large, Singaporeans choose their wards carefully because we introduced financial counselling to advise patients to choose the right wards,' he said.
The average bill size for the subsidised classes remains at about $1,500, 'well within the Medisave withdrawal limits'.
He added that means testing was put in place 'to pre-empt a future problem' when the quality of these wards improves - which is something he plans to do.
Without means testing, he fears that people who can well afford the private A and B1 classes would be drawn to a subsidised ward instead. Means testing ensures 'that C and B2 remain reserved largely for poorer patients'.
Dr Ong Seh Hong (Marine Parade GRC) commented on the confusion arising from different methods and levels of means testing between public hospitals and step-down facilities such as nursing homes.
He asked if the minister planned a 'unified' scheme to make it easier to move patients between different places. No, said Mr Khaw. Patients in hospitals face large bills, so they need heavier subsidies. A unified approach 'will end up either unnecessarily subsidising those who may not need the subsidy, or be too stringent on those who do', he explained.
