How to avoid being overcharged

April 5, 2007

Think doc has overcharged you? Turning to Case only recourse now

SMA decision was made with 'great reluctance'

Other professional groups relooking fee guidelines

# Before choosing a doctor, shop around if possible.

Both the Singapore Medical Association (SMA) and the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) recommend that patients call a few clinics to get an idea of how much the market rate might be for a certain treatment.

# Check surveys of actual charges and bill sizes for an idea of what reasonable rates are.

The Health Ministry's website has information on average bill sizes for the 70 most common hospital procedures.

By the end of this year, it will also publish on its website the average bill size of treatment for chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and stroke at private clinics.

Later this year, the SMA will publish results of its survey of charges in primary care clinics.

Next year, it will make public survey results for charges for more common procedures in private specialist clinics.

# Check the clinic's counter, signboards or brochures for consultation charges.

Doctors have been advised by the SMA to display them prominently.

# Whenever possible, ask your doctor beforehand for the expected range of costs for consultation, tests and treatment.

The SMA has recommended that doctors conduct financial counselling with patients

Insurance professionals sell policies on basis of client's needs

Nov 27, 2006 Straits Times Forum

Insurance professionals sell policies on basis of client's needs

We refer to the articles "Many Singaporeans don't have the right insurance cover" (ST, Nov 11) and "More turning to term insurance plans" (Sunday Times, Nov 12).

The statements in the articles - "there is a high chance that whatever product is sold depends on the commissions derived" and "agents did not push such (term insurance) plans aggressively given the lower commissions" implied that all insurance advisors sell products that give the highest commissions and not based on the customer's needs.

The Insurance and Financial Practitioners Association of Singapore (IFPAS) feels that such an implication is highly unfair to the many professionals in the insurance industry who sell products based on clients' needs.

Each type of coverage, be it participating whole life and endowment, investment-linked plans or term insurance, has its own product attributes that cater to specific needs.

For example, ........... On the other hand, the cover for term insurance will cease once premium payment is not made.

Though one can argue about the merits of "buy term and invest the rest", the purpose of this letter is to rebut the highly biased statements in the articles.

IFPAS represents over 4,500 insurance and financial practitioners in the industry and we are proud that our members have to adhere to its Code of Ethics, which IFPAS enforces strictly to ensure a high standard of professionalism and to protect the public's interests.

The Code of Ethics is appended below:

An IFPAS member shall:

- Always place the best interest of his clients before his own.

- Hold in the strictest confidence, and consider as privileged, all business and personal information pertaining to the client's affair.

- Make full and adequate disclosure of all facts necessary to enable the client to make a intelligent decision.

- Not conduct his profession to cause the public to lose confidence in the Association or the insurance and financial services industry.

- Not indulge in unethical practices which may be detrimental to the client or the insurance and financial services industry.

- Abide by and conform to all rules and regulations of the Association.

The mark of the IFPAS membership signifies professionalism and ethical practices. Consumers can rest assured that our members will sell products based on client's needs.

Ting Chee Kheong
Council Member (Chairman, PR Committee)
2006/2007 Executive Council
Insurance and Financial Practitioners Association of Singapore