MOH suspends 10 clinics over non-compliance in CHAS claims
The Ministry of Health (MOH) will suspend 10 clinics from participating in the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), after an audit on the CHAS claims made by the clinics revealed incidents of non-compliance such as lack of supporting documentation.
The 10 Access Medical clinics to be suspended from 23 October are: Bedok South, Circuit Road, East Coast, Kim Keat, Marine Terrace, Toa Payoh, Whampoa, Jurong West, Redhill Close and Bukit Batok.
“These clinics had over a period of time variously made numerous non-compliant CHAS claims such as claims for patient visits or chronic conditions with no relevant supporting documentation,” MOH said in a statement released on Monday (8 October).
CHAS was launched in 2012 to provide subsidies for medical and dental care to Singapore citizens from lower- to middle-income households, as well as all Pioneer Generation (PG) members, at participating general practitioner and dental clinics. About 1.3 million Singaporeans have a CHAS or PG card, and they can receive subsidised care at about 1,700 CHAS clinics islandwide.
MOH has referred this case to the police, and will also be referring specific doctors involved to the Singapore Medical Council for further investigation.
“In line with the Singapore Medical Council’s Ethical Code and Ethical Guidelines, doctors cannot abuse the doctor-patient relationship for personal gain,” said Associate Professor Benjamin Ong, Director of Medical Services. “We remind all doctors to act in the best interest of the patient and uphold the highest standards of professionalism.”
When suspended, the treatment provided by these clinics will not be covered by CHAS subsidies. Patients in the affected areas may refer to the CHAS website (www.CHAS.sg) for alternative clinics in the vicinity.
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