Fresh beginnings with new fee guide for doctors

Singapore

AFTER a decade, Singapore is back where it started on the prickly issue of benchmarks for doctors' fees. Amid the sense of déjà vu, there is greater hope this time round that the long overdue benchmark may have more success.

In 1987, the Singapore Medical Association (SMA) and the Association of Private Medical Practitioners of Singapore (APMPS) introduced fee guidelines following calls by the Ministry of Health (MOH) for a guide on medical charges.

At the time, the ministry wanted patients to be more informed about pricing data on consultation and surgical fees, as well as to d…