Dental clinic in Kovan suspended for making fake CHAS claims

SINGAPORE — A dental clinic in Kovan will be suspended from participating in the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) from 29 May for making numerous non-compliant CHAS claims, said the Ministry of Health (MOH).

In a press release on Monday (13 May), the ministry said that it had served King’s Dental Surgery, located at Blk 204 Hougang St 21, a notice of suspension of its CHAS participation.

The MOH said that its audits on the CHAS claims made by the clinic revealed “severe non-compliances with the CHAS guidelines”. The clinic had over a period of time made claims such as dental procedures that were not done, it added.

The case has been referred to the police and dentists from the clinic will also be referred to the Singapore Dental Council if found with any medical mismanagement or unethical behaviour, said the MOH.

During its suspension, King’s Dental Surgery can continue to provide treatment to patients, but these will not be covered by CHAS subsidies.

The clinic’s CHAS patients may also refer to the CHAS website for alternative CHAS clinics in the vicinity, said the ministry. If they come across any suspicious or unusual CHAS claims made for them, they can contact the MOH at 1800-225-4122, it added.

“The MOH closely monitors clinics’ CHAS claims and most CHAS clinics comply with our guidelines. The MOH takes a serious view of breaches of our CHAS guidelines and will not hesitate to take action where non-compliance is uncovered,” said the ministry.

“We also remind healthcare professionals to uphold a high standard of professionalism and to adhere to the Ethical Code and Ethical Guidelines,” it added.

Introduced in 2012, CHAS entitles eligible middle and lower income Singaporeans to receive subsidies for medical and dental care at more than 1,000 participating general practitioners and 700 dental clinics.

Just last month, Joash Family Clinic & Surgery at Upper Serangoon Road was suspended from the scheme for making “severe and numerous” non-compliant claims.

In October last year, 10 clinics under Access Medical – Bedok South, Circuit Road, East Coast, Kim Keat, Marine Terrace, Toa Payoh, Whampoa, Jurong West, Redhill Close, and Bukit Batok – were also suspended from the scheme for making similar claims.

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