Using subsidised wards (B2)

There are two big advantages of using subsidised wards (B2)

a) You get a subsidy of 50% to 65% of the hospital bill
b) As the government is paying a large part of the bill, they will check that the bill is reasonable.

If the patient has to pay 100% of the bill (i.e no subsidy), there is a risk that the hospital may charge more, or give more treatment than necessary. You have to pay 100% of a larger bill.

I estimate that a bill from a private hospital could be 3 times of the subsidised bill, for the same treatment.

Some people said that the doctors treating patients in subsidised wards are under training and not experienced. I do not agree with this comment. It may be true that the doctors are under training, but they do the routine medical checks and are supervised by the experienced doctors.

When it comes to surgery or other major procedures, an experienced specialist will carry out the procedure. There is really no need for the patient to choose his own doctor.

However, if the patient is willing to pay a higher bill to be treated in a private hospitals or A class ward, and enjoy the privilege to choose their own doctor, it is all right. They can also buy insurance for the more expensive treatment, but the cost of the insurance can be three times.

Tan Kin Lian