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SINGAPORE – A pro-temporary committee analyzing issues related to Integrated Protection Plans (IP) will be formalized in a committee appointed by the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Minister of State for Health said on Saturday (April 3), Koh Poh Koon. .
Details about the committee and its proposed recommendations will be released when they are ready, Dr. Koh said in a Facebook post.
Physicians and intellectual property insurers have been locked in a battle for insurers to have panel physicians in recent weeks, noted Dr. Koh.
Doctors in the private sector have expressed their discontent with intellectual property insurers for excluding many specialists from their panel of insured physicians, calling them “very exclusive.”
Insurers said expansion of their panels is in the cards, but a “reckless” expansion could see premiums rise significantly. Doctors also cannot expect predetermined fees at the high end of fee benchmarks set by the Health Ministry, they added.
Dr. Koh urged both parties to remember that they ultimately serve the best interests of a common customer: patients who are policyholders. His statements were the first time that the Government intervened publicly in this debate.
“Both parties have raised valid points in areas that needed improvement, but have also expressed views that do not correctly reflect the tradeoffs and balance needed to ensure the sustainability of premium insurance plans and the provision of quality healthcare. and profitable in the longer term, “he said.
Dr. Koh said he met with representatives from the Singapore Medical Association (SMA), the Singapore Life Insurance Association (LIA) and the Singapore Academy of Medicine on Wednesday (March 31) to discuss improvements in how PI dashboards are configured and managed.
Frank discussions between stakeholders to identify problems and work on solutions needed to improve the system are the right way to go, he added.
Among the topics discussed are expanding the panel of insurers’ doctors with clear and transparent criteria, and improving the prior authorization process for treatment claims by doctors who are not on the panels, he said.
Several ideas were also raised to improve transparency of doctors’ fees and outcomes, insurer performance, and better processes for dealing with any unfair behavior, said Dr. Koh, who described the discussions as constructive.
The Straits Times reported on Saturday that there have been two dialogues between doctors, intellectual property insurers and the Health Ministry since last October, and that there have been some clarifications and greater understanding between the parties with the ministry in charge of the talks.
Dr. Koh said that SMA’s intention to establish a grievance committee and LIA’s plan to create an IT platform to streamline the data sharing and grievance process are positive and helpful steps in the right direction.
“All parties agreed that we will formalize the existing pro-temporary committee into a committee appointed by the Minister of Health,” he said.
“The committee will take the work forward and work in the interest of the public and patients to deliberate and implement changes for quality, safe, cost-effective and affordable care for all.”
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