Data on Private Hospital Bill Increases That Can Be Attributed to Doctors’ Professional Fees Rather Than Facility Fees

Dr Hamid Razak asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health since the introduction of panel arrangements in the private sector (a) whether the Government has data on the proportion of increases in private hospital bills attributed to doctors’ professional fees compared to facility fees; (b) if so, what is the proportion of increases; and (c) whether these proportions have changed over time.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Integrated Shield Plan insurers introduced panel arrangements in 2016, but this remained small panel until 2019, when insurers and providers began to reference the Ministry of Health (MOH) fee benchmarks for surgeons and anaesthetists charges. As of 2024, most insurers have at least 600 specialists on their panels.

From 2019 to 2024, average private hospital bills grew at about 13% per year. Average professional fees, comprising surgeon fees, anaesthetist fees and inpatient consultation charges made up about 40% of the bills and grew at 9% annually over the same period. Fees charged under hospital-related fees comprising components, like facility fees, ward fees as well as medication and implant charges, made up the remaining 60% and grew at 15% annually.

MOH recognises that escalating costs in the private healthcare sector continues to be a concern. We have taken steps to address this situation, including developing claim rules and enforcing against inappropriate claims, publishing benchmarks for hospital charges and private specialist fees, as well as tightening the design of Integrated Shield Plan riders and enhancing public education on right-sizing insurance. We are studying what more can be done through the Multilateral Healthcare Insurance Committee comprising representatives from MOH, private hospitals, insurers and medical professional associations.