Reviewing WICA 2019 Requirement for Doctor-Prescribed Therapy Billing and Application in Private Healthcare Settings

Dr Hamid Razak asked the Minister for Manpower (a) whether the Ministry has reviewed the requirement under the Work Injury Compensation Act 2019 for physiotherapy and occupational therapy expenses to be prescribed and billed by a doctor; and (b) how this requirement is applied in private healthcare settings where such services are typically billed directly by therapists.

Dr Tan See Leng: Expenses for physiotherapy and occupational therapy services are claimable under the Work Injury Compensation Act when they are prescribed and billed in a hospital or by a registered medical practitioner in a private clinic. Services directly billed by therapists in private clinics are not claimable. This ensures appropriate medical oversight of the worker's treatment plan and avoids excessive escalation of healthcare and work injury insurance costs.