Scheme explained repeatedly to writer

01 Jul 2009, The Straits Times

Question

81-year-old dad caught in red tape

THE Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (Idape) is for Singapore citizens aged 70 and above as at Sept 30, 2002, and those aged 40 to 69 as at Sept 30, 2002 who were unable to join ElderShield at its launch in September 2002 due to pre-existing disabilities.

To claim its benefits, those who fall under the scheme have to be certified as 'disabled', which means unable to do at least three of these activities - eat, dress, bathe, go to the toilet, move around and transfer from bed to chair.

The Health Ministry has engaged NTUC Income to administer Idape. And NTUC Income has appointed a list of private doctors to conduct the assessment.

Problems arose when my 81-year-old father was admitted to Singapore General Hospital (SGH). It was only when I checked about his ElderShield with the Central Provident Fund Board was I told that his name had been listed under Idape and sent to NTUC Income.

While all ElderShield members are reminded every year, no reminders are sent to Idape members, though they are mostly less educated, elderly sick or even alone, without next of kin.

Worse, no assessor is appointed in government hospitals, where many Idape patients are eventually admitted.

I engaged a housecall assessor to go to SGH as a normal visitor, but she was not available during visiting hours due to the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak. I sought permission from SGH for another visit but this was rejected.

SGH insisted that its doctors must be present 'to supervise'. This led the assessor to eventually decline the assessment.

It is hard to believe that SGH is so inflexible and unsupportive when dealing with a government welfare programme as no medical practice is required by the assessor in this instance and I doubt if SGH could prevent such a visit if not for H1N1.

After NTUC Income refused further assistance, I approached the Health Ministry for help. Despite many phone calls, I received no solutions but statements to this effect:

SGH is not part of the health-care body under the ministry;

It is best to wait for the patient to be discharged;

SGH is looking to appoint a doctor but it may take time; and

It will not help even if I approached the Health Minister.

Needless to say, I am disappointed, as I am certain, will other patients faced with the same problem.

Reply

Name of the Person: Dr Wong Yue Sie

Chief Operating Officer

Singapore General Hospital

Name of the Person: Karen Tan (Ms)

Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Health 

WE REFER to the letter by Mr Kelvin Tan, 'Disability assistance: 81-year-old dad caught in red tape' (June 20).

Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) have explained to Mr Tan on various occasions that under the Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (Idape), disability assessments are typically done after a patient is discharged from hospital.

Even if an assessment is done in the hospital, a second assessment will most likely still be needed after the patient is settled in the community for a more accurate picture of his long-term disability. This may mean additional costs and further inconvenience the applicant and his family. For this reason, the applicant was advised to have only one assessment done, after discharge.

Physician assessors who are not employed by SGH require consent from the hospital and the managing doctors before visiting inpatients. This is because the assessors have to be briefed on the patients' medical condition while they are treated in hospital, as well as to protect the confidentiality of patients' medical information.

Notwithstanding the above, MOH and SGH had offered to work with Mr Tan on a faster solution, if necessary. However, Mr Tan was unwilling to identify his father (the patient) to MOH.

SGH's doctors, as well as staff from the Medical Social Services and Service Quality, have met Mr Tan on several occasions to clarify and address the issues raised. We note that Mr Tan's father has since been assessed by NTUC Income and his Idape claim has been approved.

Meanwhile, should Mr Tan need any other form of clarification or assistance, he may contact SGH and NTUC Income on 6326-5350 and 6877-3472 respectively.