MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS (Displaying rates of charges)

Mr Chng Hee Kok asked the Minister for Health if he will consider requiring all medical practitioners to display their rates of charges.

The Minister for Health (Mr Yeo Cheow Tong): Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry has always advised medical practitioners to keep their patients fully informed about their charges so that they are aware beforehand of the financial implications of the recommended treatment. The way this is accomplished, however, has been left to the discretion of the individual practitioner.

My Ministry is in favour of requiring all medical practitioners to display their basic rates of charges. This would allow patients to know what they can expect to pay in any consultation or before undergoing any form of investigation or surgery. We are studying how this can be incorporated into the proposed amendments to the Medical Registration Act which are scheduled to be tabled in Parliament later this year.

In the meantime, my Ministry has requested the Singapore Medical Council to study the implications of the proposal to require all medical practitioners in private practice to display their rates of charges.

Mr Chng Hee Kok (Tiong Bahru GRC): Sir, would the Minister say whether it is proper and ethical for medical practitioners to display their charges and offer discounts against these charges?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, the Singapore Medical Council has already ruled that it is ethical for the medical practitioners to offer discounts.