It's time for private hospitals to reduce hidden costs, Letters in Print News & Top Stories



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It is disconcerting that even a public institution such as the KK Women's and Children's Hospital includes a myriad of hidden charges when billing private patients (Visitor thwarted by the inclusion of extras in the project KKH, July 9). Hospitals have long had a reputation for issuing only summary invoices and only breaking down fees when they are in a hurry to do so by patients. The price of services and supplies for inpatients should reflect their costs.

However, a closer examination of some detailed hospital bills reveals that the various exorbitant charges do not include any element of service because there is a separate daily treatment. Nursing fees and miscellaneous expenses added to those of room and board charges.

Increases in everyday items can reach 200% of their cost. It is no wonder that Singapore has lost its appeal as the first medical center in the region.

With private health care costs increasing at a rate of 18 percent a year, it is clear that Singapore has

Some neighboring countries are not only significantly cheaper in the health care field, but they also acquire new capabilities and modern facilities to reduce the gap in terms of quality of care. Foreign hospitals are also much more willing to provide prices and quotes than private institutions, which often provide rough estimates.

Hopefully the continuing decline in medical tourism will push private hospitals to include fewer hidden costs. that they are currently doing it in their bills, that most patients have no way to understand or check completely.

Edmund Khoo Kim Hock

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