23 November 2001

We'll cut your medical bill by 10 to 20%

There is a small sign on the counter of Raffles Medical that asks you to alert the clinic if you've been retrenched.

It reads:

"As a gesture of goodwill, RMG offers concessionary rates to regular patients who are retrenched as a result of the recent economic downturn. Please approach our staff should you need any assistance."

"You could feel it when the companies were starting to restructure. People were getting pay freezes or cuts. Some asked for bigger bottles of medicine so they wouldn't have to pay for another consultation."
- Dr Hoo Kai Meng of Raffles Medical's Bishan branch.
Dr Hoo said he started noticing the effects of the economic slowdown six months ago.

A real sign of the times, you might say, but it's not there so that they can check if you can pay.

It's actually there to help people who are out of work.

You don't even have to prove it.

Dr Loo Choon Yong, chairman of Raffles Medical Group, said: "We will take their word for it and give them a discount of 10 to 20 per cent at any of our 60 GP clinics across the island."

The assistance programme started this month and ends next April.

But this is not the first time the group has offered such assistance.

During the 1997/98 slowdown, there was a similar programme for retrenched patients.

Said Dr Loo: "Those with chronic medical conditions found the assistance programme especially useful as they could continue to see their regular doctors."

Raffles Medical could not provide figures on how many patients have benefitted from the programme.

Dr Loo said: "We felt that, as a caring organisation and responsible corporate citizen, there was something we could do to help our patients who have been retrenched."

All patients need to do is inform the clinic that they have lost their job - no documentary proof is needed.

Specialists at Raffles Hospital may also reduce or waive consultation fees on a case-by-case basis should patients have financial difficulties.

Mr Mohamed Noor Sukor, 53, is one patient who has benefitted from the programme.

When he retired in March, one of his biggest worries was his medical expenses.

Last year, the former senior technician, who used to earn about $2,000 a month, underwent a medical procedure to clear his blocked arteries which cost him a hefty $7,000.

Because the father of four also suffers from high blood pressure, he has to see a doctor at least once a month.

The medication alone comes to about $100 a month, on top of consultation fees of about $20 per visit.

Mr Mohamed Noor, who was offered early retirement, said: "My wife is not working and two of my children (aged 16 and 10) are still in school. Of course, I was worried."

But thanks to the programme, he now saves up to $50 on his monthly medical expenses.

He said: "It has helped me a lot. I have no income so whatever little I save is better than nothing."

But even before the programme started, Dr Hoo Kai Meng, 46, who runs the Bishan branch, has been dishing out 10 per cent discounts to needy patients who have chronic illnesses.

Of the 1,000 to 2,000 patients he sees every month, he has given discounts to at least seven, most of whom are retired.

In fact, Dr Hoo noticed the effects of the economic slowdown six months ago when some patients started asking for bigger bottles of medicine so that they wouldn't have to pay for another consultation.

Though it may mean a cut in profits, Dr Hoo thinks it's the right thing to do.

"This is medicine, not a monetary transaction. If a patient is sick, he needs treatment. The most important thing is that the patient gets well."

Dr Hoo exercises his own judgement over discounts.

"When I talk to them and ask about their families, where they live, I can more or less gauge their income levels.

"For those with long-term illnesses like hypertension and diabetes, either I give them a discount on the medications or forego consultation fees, whichever is more."

But he's not worried that patients would abuse the programme.

Dr Hoo said: "I don't think patients will want to lie about these things... I have faith in Singaporeans not to abuse such things."