Jump to content

Abuse of the CHAS scheme by Medical & Dental Clinics


noobcarbuyer
 Share

Recommended Posts

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/moh-suspends-10-clinics-from-chas-scheme

MOH suspends 10 clinics from Chas scheme for severe non-compliance; case referred to police

PUBLISHED OCT 8, 2018

SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Health (MOH) has suspended 10 clinics from the Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas) for severe non-compliance.

The suspension will take place from Oct 23, the MOH said in a statement on Monday (Oct 8).

The clinics, which are all under the Access Medical group, had made numerous non-compliant Chas claims such as claims for patient visits or chronic conditions with no relevant supporting documentation. These were revealed following audits by the MOH on the Chas claims.

The MOH added that the case has been referred to the police, and the ministry will be referring specific doctors involved to the Singapore Medical Council for further investigation.

"MOH takes a serious view of errant practices in making Chas claims," said the statement.

↡ Advertisement
  • Praise 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

(edited)

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/jesselton-dental-centre-chas-moh-13951738

Jesselton Dental Centre struck off CHAS for ‘severe non-compliance’: MOH

Published JAN 13, 2021 

SINGAPORE: Jesselton Dental Centre will be struck off the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) on Jan 16, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Wednesday (Jan 13). 

Audits on the clinic at Pacific Plaza in 2018 and 2019 uncovered “severe non-compliances” including improper claims for subsidies with no proper supporting documentation and claims that exceeded the allowed limit, the ministry said.  

Edited by noobcarbuyer
Link to post
Share on other sites

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/dentist-first-to-be-jailed-for-submitting-false-community-health-assist

Dentist first to be jailed for submitting false Community Health Assist Scheme claims

PUBLISHED JUN 3, 2020

SINGAPORE - A 36-year-old dentist on Wednesday (June 3) became the first person to be jailed for cheating the Government through the Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas).

Teo Eu Gene pleaded guilty to 25 counts of cheating by submitting false Chas claims for dental procedures from 2014 to 2015.

His actions caused two polyclinic groups - SingHealth Polyclinics and National Healthcare Group Polyclinics - that process and reimburse Chas claims on behalf of the Ministry of Health (MOH) to wrongfully disburse more than $18,000.

Teo was sentenced to 46 weeks' jail by District Judge Luke Tan.

Taken into consideration during sentencing were 35 charges related to submitting other false claims and falsifying medical records.

Chas, started by the MOH in 2000, lets all Singapore citizens, including those from the Pioneer and Merdeka generations, receive subsidies for medical and dental care at participating general practitioner clinics and dental clinics.

Link to post
Share on other sites

(edited)

https://www.asiaone.com/health/health-aid-scheme-moh-monitors-claims-clinics

Health aid scheme: MOH monitors claims by clinics

SEPTEMBER 01, 2014 PUBLISHED AT 2:30 PM THE STRAITS TIMES

Quote

DR QUEK Koh Choon ("Emphasise ethics in health care"; below) and Mr Alfred Wong Kwok Wai ("Prevent abuse of subsidy scheme"; next page) raised the concern that some clinics on the Community Health Assist Scheme might mark up their charges for patients claiming Chas subsidies.

The Chas scheme has allowed general practitioner (GP) and dental clinics to partner the Ministry of Health (MOH) in making subsidised primary care more accessible to lower- and middle-income Singaporeans within the community.

Come next Monday, all 450,000 pioneer generation Singaporeans will also enjoy subsidised GP and dental services at the Chas clinics.

MOH agrees that as members of a respected profession, doctors are expected to adhere to the highest standard of professionalism and always act in the best interest of their patients.

The Singapore Medical Council's Ethical Code and Ethical Guidelines state that doctors cannot abuse the doctor-patient relationship for personal gain. Indeed, the vast majority of our doctors do observe this code and guidelines closely.

Aside from the ethical issues with overcharging, the Chas claims submitted by clinics are monitored by MOH. Clinics have been and will continue to be called upon to account for any exceptional claims.

Prices charged differ from clinic to clinic and from patient to patient, depending on the condition, treatment provided, medication prescribed and length of consult.

We encourage clinics to display their common charges such as consultation fees prominently, and to address any price concerns that patients may have, especially with regard to the type of medication prescribed and its cost. This will make the charges more transparent to patients.

MOH will continue to monitor the situation. Members of the public can contact us on 1800-ASK-CHAS (1800-275-2427) for more information and to provide feedback.

 

Lim Bee Khim (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health

 

Quote

Emphasise ethics in health care

I COMMEND Dr Tang Kok Foo for highlighting the reasons for soaring private health-care costs ("Reasons for soaring private health-care costs"; yesterday).

He cited the free market in health care as one of the factors. This is certainly a cause for concern. Although such a system has its merits, it can be abused.

I am appalled to learn from patients that some doctors and dentists are still charging hefty fees under the Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas). From the patients' point of view, their treatments are not being "subsidised", and they are in no position to know whether the medication and treatment they receive are really necessary.

Doctors leaving the public sector for the seemingly "greener pastures" of private practice are creating a vacuum in public hospitals.

Although Chas allows for subsidised rates for patients referred to specialists in public hospitals, the lack of specialists and the heavy patient load mean patients can be seen only after several months. Those in urgent need of treatment have no choice but to turn to private specialists.

There is a need to emphasise to health-care practitioners that compassion and integrity are essential in the practice of medicine and dentistry.

If they are in it just for the money, then there is always the risk of breaching ethical standards. Any system can be compromised if the motivation is not altruistic.

Letter from Quek Koh Choon (Dr)

 

Quote

Prevent abuse of subsidy scheme

THE Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas) seeks to spread the patient load of polyclinics to private clinics, through the provision of subsidies.

Are there any measures in place to monitor whether clinics on the scheme are genuinely serving the community, or earning extra revenue from the subsidies given to patients?

My 81-year-old mother, a wheelchair user, visited a clinic in her HDB estate recently to seek treatment for itchiness on her body.

The bill before subsidy for consultation and three types of medicine came up to $56.

I checked with some doctors and they felt the charge should not be so high.

Did the clinic mark up the charges, knowing its post-subsidy bill would be more or less at the market rate? This would defeat the purpose of Chas.

I urge the Health Ministry to institute measures to monitor doctors on the scheme, to ensure they do not mark up their charges.

Letter from Alfred Wong Kwok Wai

Edited by noobcarbuyer
Link to post
Share on other sites

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/kings-dental-surgery-kovan-suspended-chas-scheme-fake-claims-11528458

King's Dental Surgery suspended from CHAS participation after making false claims

13 May 2019

SINGAPORE: King’s Dental Surgery in Kovan will be suspended from participating in the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) from May 29, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Monday (May 13).

MOH audits on CHAS claims made by the clinic, which is located at Block 204, Hougang Street 21, revealed "severe non-compliance" with CHAS guidelines, the ministry added in their press release.

"The clinic had over a period of time made numerous non-compliant CHAS claims such as claims for dental procedures that were not done," MOH said.

"MOH takes a serious view of such errant practices in making CHAS claims. 

"We have referred the case to the police. The doctors from this clinic will also be referred to the Singapore Dental Council if found with any medical mismanagement or unethical behaviour."

Link to post
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, noobcarbuyer said:

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/moh-suspends-10-clinics-from-chas-scheme

MOH suspends 10 clinics from Chas scheme for severe non-compliance; case referred to police

PUBLISHED OCT 8, 2018

SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Health (MOH) has suspended 10 clinics from the Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas) for severe non-compliance.

The suspension will take place from Oct 23, the MOH said in a statement on Monday (Oct 8).

The clinics, which are all under the Access Medical group, had made numerous non-compliant Chas claims such as claims for patient visits or chronic conditions with no relevant supporting documentation. These were revealed following audits by the MOH on the Chas claims.

The MOH added that the case has been referred to the police, and the ministry will be referring specific doctors involved to the Singapore Medical Council for further investigation.

"MOH takes a serious view of errant practices in making Chas claims," said the statement.

I think this Access clinic already closed down and change to a new name. Lol.

Link to post
Share on other sites

You see ... ah kong's money is ah kong's money.  You cannot cheat their money (not vice versa) 😂😜 

I always believe commoners are smarter than scholars ... whatever policy they implement, there are always loopholes , either Goldhole or Sh1thole 😂🍻🍻🍻 

  • Haha! 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, Angcheek said:

You see ... ah kong's money is ah kong's money.  You cannot cheat their money (not vice versa) 😂😜 

I always believe commoners are smarter than scholars ... whatever policy they implement, there are always loopholes , either Goldhole or Sh1thole 😂🍻🍻🍻 

You in charge of potholes ?? Manhole is your hantu friend 1 😎

  • Haha! 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Not only CHAS, last time they also abuse the panel clinic benefit by government employees. Basically 85% of the clinic cost is paid by govt..so even for simple thing like fever or flu, clinic inflat up to $50-100 per visit.

The employee wont feel ripped off coz pay only $7.50-$15 out of pocket. 

Now this benefit scrapped liao.. only can claim max $20 from normal clinics.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Last time I see my company approved doctor, they also charged the company high price.

They will prescribed me the highest priced medicine, without blinking an eye. One time, I got a packet of medicine labelled, "samples - not for sale". but of cuz they still charge my company.

When I left, and go to Polyclinic, they told me those kind of medicine, they wouldn't prescribed.

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, Nolicense said:

This chas very easy to abuse. just do something simple or cheap and inflate the claim. those claim and do nothing one sure get caught.

Just need someone to Bao Toh. Never never cheat Ah gong!

Link to post
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, Mkl22 said:

Just need someone to Bao Toh. Never never cheat Ah gong!

haha.. there are a lot out there.. go ask those PG. they tell you like they saving money. but you ask what they get and how much was the actual bill, you know they scam chas.

some PG know this is happening, but what can they do? call them bao toh? lol

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...