MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL CHARGES (Conditions for waiver)

Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for Health if he will state (i) the conditions under which a patient can apply for a waiver of medical and hospital charges and (ii) the number of such applications in each restructured hospital and the number of successful applicants for the years 1990 to 1992.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, any Class B2 or C inpatient or subsidised outpatient who is unable to pay his hospital charges can apply for full or partial remission of the charges.

In evaluating an application, the medical social workers take into consideration the choice of ward class, the size of the hospital bill and the home and financial background of the patient and his family.

Details of the applications for waiver received by the hospitals from 1990 to 1992 are as follows: 1990 1991 1992 No of No of No of Hospital Applns No Approved Applns No Approved Applns No Approved Kandang 39 38 36 34 52 51 Kerbau (97%) (94%) (98%) Hospital National 428 428 371 371 603 603 University (100%) (100%) (100%) Hospital Singapore 2545 2401 1347 1346 1983 1974 General (94%) (99%) (99%) Hospital Toa Payoh 50 50 62 60 132 132 Hospital (100%) (97%) (100%) Total 3062 2917 1816 1811 2770 2760 (Rate of (95%) (99%) (99%) Approval)