Nov 21, 2009
Medisave allowed for dental surgery at private clinics: MOH
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In Wednesday's letter, 'Allow Medisave for private clinics', Dr Ng Yong Kheng suggested the use of Medisave at private dental clinics to reduce the waiting times for 'people who are suffering from toothache and gum infection'.
First, Medisave is allowed for dental surgical procedures. In fact, more Medisave claims take place in private clinics than in public institutions. We do not, however, allow Medisave usage for non-surgical dental outpatient treatment as Medisave contribution rates have not priced in the funding of such procedures. While Medisave cannot be used, these services are provided with heavy subsidy for the needy elderly through 180 private dental clinics under the Primary Care Partnership Scheme.
Second, such patients with 'toothache and gum infection' requiring urgent treatment are attended to promptly at any of our public dental clinics. They are not put on a waiting list. The recent feedback on long waiting times came from patients asking for non-emergency elective treatments, such as braces and dentures. As these are elective procedures, heavy (???) subsidy without means-testing inevitably leads to long queues. Nonetheless, we will do our best to shorten the waiting time.
Karen Tan (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health
=> Costs cum out to the same as private treatment after 'subsidy'. Very heavy subsidy indeed! *ptui*
Medisave allowed for dental surgery at private clinics: MOH
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<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
In Wednesday's letter, 'Allow Medisave for private clinics', Dr Ng Yong Kheng suggested the use of Medisave at private dental clinics to reduce the waiting times for 'people who are suffering from toothache and gum infection'.
First, Medisave is allowed for dental surgical procedures. In fact, more Medisave claims take place in private clinics than in public institutions. We do not, however, allow Medisave usage for non-surgical dental outpatient treatment as Medisave contribution rates have not priced in the funding of such procedures. While Medisave cannot be used, these services are provided with heavy subsidy for the needy elderly through 180 private dental clinics under the Primary Care Partnership Scheme.
Second, such patients with 'toothache and gum infection' requiring urgent treatment are attended to promptly at any of our public dental clinics. They are not put on a waiting list. The recent feedback on long waiting times came from patients asking for non-emergency elective treatments, such as braces and dentures. As these are elective procedures, heavy (???) subsidy without means-testing inevitably leads to long queues. Nonetheless, we will do our best to shorten the waiting time.
Karen Tan (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health
=> Costs cum out to the same as private treatment after 'subsidy'. Very heavy subsidy indeed! *ptui*
