PATIENTS hoping for a C class bed will not have to pay more than one-third of their hospital bills, no matter how well-off they are.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan gave this benchmark when asked how his means testing proposal, to make the rich pay more than the poor for hospitalisation, will work.
The current subsidy for a C class ward is 80 per cent, with patients footing the rest of the bill.
With means testing, all patients still have a choice of wards but, depending on income, they may not get the full subsidy.
Although the Government has given the assurance that very few people will be affected, there is still concern over the subsidy levels and how they will be pegged to patients' incomes.
Mr Khaw told The Sunday Times that the patient's portion of a C class bill will not exceed the 35 per cent now paid by patients in a B2 class ward. It might even be much less than that.
On average, the out-of-pocket hospital bill for a C class patient is less than $900 and, for a B2 class patient, just over $1,000.
Mr Khaw said that he is considering a 'graduated reduction' in subsidies, rather than a single cut-off point.
So, instead of jumping from an 80 per cent subsidy to 70 per cent one based on a certain income level, the differences in subsidy may amount to no more than one or two percentage points.
This is to make sure that the patients who miss the income cut-off by a few hundred dollars will not be hit too hard.
Said Mr Khaw: 'I can make very small jumps. I can reduce the subsidy to 79 per cent, 78, whatever.'
But small differences in subsidy are only possible if income is determined simply and electronically. Hospitals will need the patients' consent to check their income records with the Central Provident Fund Board or the tax department.
Privacy will be protected, as the information on actual salary amounts will not be needed. Hospitals need to know only if a patient's salary falls within a certain range. Those who want to keep this private can simply opt to receive the lowest subsidy for that ward class.
Mr Khaw said that the objective of the exercise 'is not to squeeze everybody' but to get them 'to accept the principle'.
He added: 'We could have said, if you are considered middle income or high income, you are not allowed to come in, or you come in but zero subsidy.
'We're not saying that. We are saying - and it's a commitment - that you will continue to be heavily subsidised.
'But, please, make a distinction between you and the very poor, so that I can stretch the subvention, so that I can benefit more people.'
The minister also promised that, rich or poor, patients from subsidised wards will enjoy subsidised outpatient treatment upon discharge.
Many well-off patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes choose to stay in subsidised wards because it will mean cheaper follow-up care.
