Forum: Ensure parity in subsidies for Healthier SG patients
I signed up for Healthier SG with my general practitioner (GP) in late 2023 and have since been receiving treatment for my diabetes there. I am 66 years old and part of the Merdeka Generation.
Healthier SG patients were supposed to enjoy the same subsidised rates as polyclinic patients. But this wasn't the experience I had. For instance, I currently pay 40 cents per pill for metformin at my GP – significantly more than what I would pay at a polyclinic.
Recently, my GP referred me to the Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic for an X-ray for a frozen shoulder. To my surprise, I was charged $50 and told that Chas and Merdeka Generation subsidies did not apply because the referral came from a private clinic.
When I explained that my GP is in the Healthier SG panel, the staff were unable to offer a clear explanation.
I have since written to the Ministry of Health for clarification but am still awaiting a response.
The purpose of Healthier SG is to give patients more personalised care through their regular GPs while also easing the load on polyclinics. But if patients continue to face higher costs and inconsistent subsidies, it defeats the point of the scheme.
As someone who is semi-retired and needs to manage my expenses carefully, I am seriously considering returning to polyclinic care instead.
Subramani Hariharan
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