Friday, November 22, 2019

Why is Polyclinic consultation fee so high ?

The consultation fee in Polyclinics has been rising almost every year.  It is also relatively high compare to what HDB heartland GP charges.  Currently it is 48.13.  The average consultation fee of GP is around 20+.

Polyclinic is meant for the public masses, it is ridiculous to jerk up the fee and then provide govt subsidy.  It looks like the govt is very generous with the subsidy but in actual fact the out of pocket payment by patients is more due to the high fee.

Those who have CHAS card is better off seeing their GP.  Reasonable fee, much shorter waiting time even if there is no prior appointment and simple administration for registration, collection of medication, payment....etc.    At polyclinic the waiting time to see a doctor can be around 3 hrs without appointment.  Then patients have to more from one counter/station to another for registration, collect medicine, etc... which the elderly finds it hard to handle.