For the conduct of financial counselling where there is a change in the licensee’s fees for the treatment or procedure that the patient is undergoing, is there a guide to define fee changes or is there a range that we can work within?
The intention of financial counselling under the HCSA is for patients to be informed and assured of their treatment and fees. To fulfil financing counselling requirements under the HCSA, licensees are expected to provide an estimated price or price range to allow patients to make informed decisions about their treatment. Licensees should thus factor possible potential price fluctuations (e.g., changes in medication prices) into the estimated price or price range. Where an estimated price range is provided, it should be reasonably narrow.
In the event of a change in the licensee’s fees, it is good practice to conduct financial counselling again, especially when the change is significant. Licensees, except nursing homes, have the discretion to consider their practical limitations and decide what constitutes a “significant” deviation and when is a reasonable time to reperform financial counselling.
For avoidance of doubt, should a patient be advised to undergo a new procedure, financial counselling must be repeated.
Related questions
For financial counselling performed previously without a formal documentation, is there a need to re-counsel the patient and obtain a written acknowledgement under HCSA?
In general, considering practical limitations and patient experience, what is MOH’s guiding principles for when financial counselling needs to be repeated?
Why must we still provide financial counselling when the patient does not want it?
Is financial counselling applicable for drugs, and if yes, is there a need to obtain acknowledgment too?
