More healthcare providers, doctors should be on insurers' panels: Case

THE Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) is of the view that there should be more healthcare providers or doctors on insurers' panels, so as to give consumers more choices.

The consumer watchdog's statement comes as tensions rise between private insurers and doctors over the use of Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) panels. Insurers say panels help keep the fees of healthcare practitioners in check, but doctors say they limit patient options.

"It is in the interests of all consumers that healthcare costs and insurance premiums remain affordable," Case president Lim Biow Chuan said in a press statement on Friday.

Insurers, as well as healthcare providers and doctors, should also commit to fair trading and ensure that patients are not overcharged, as this would result in an increase in insurance premiums, he added.

Dust on the debate temporarily settled after the Ministry of Health stepped in to appoint a committee to look into IP-related issues. Case said it has been invited by the health ministry to be part of the committee.

The use of IP panels was recommended by the Health Insurance Task Force (HITF) in 2016, but this has come under the spotlight lately. Case was part of the HITF.

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The focus on IP panels comes as policyholders make the transition into co-pay arrangements, which encourage seeking treatment from their insurers' accredited specialists or doctors.

Doctors responded with a call for IP panels that are more inclusive, and the Singapore Medical Association recently introduced an initiative to rank IP insurers on an annual basis as well as set up a complaints committee for patients and doctors to flag issues related to IPs and health insurance.

Meanwhile, the Life Insurance Association said that panels serve as an enforcement mechanism to keep fees of healthcare practitioners in check, and warned that including all private specialists on panels may drive up costs and premiums.

READ MORE:

• Policyholders must come first in insurer-vs-doctor Shield debate

• On ISPs: re-examine the system, don't just blame doctors

• Integrated Shield: More transparency is needed on doctors' panels

• More insurers to launch claims-based pricing for Integrated Shield riders

• Is claims-based pricing for Shield riders a double-edged sword?