AMS-CFPS-SMA Joint Opinion on Transactions with Managed Care or Third Party Administrators
On 13 December 2016, the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) issued an advisory on payment of fees to managed care companies, third party administrators (TPAs), insurance entities and patient referral services, to clarify Guideline H3(7) of the SMC Ethical Code and Ethical Guidelines (ECEG). SMC's advisory can be found at https://goo.gl/BNvUg6.
On 14 December 2016, the Academy of Medicine, Singapore (AMS); College of Family Physicians Singapore (CFPS) and SMA released a joint opinion (reproduced on the next page) on transactions with managed care companies and TPAs. The joint opinion also provided a possible way for our members to comply with the new ECEG.
The three professional bodies subsequently wrote in to the Straits Times Forum to clarify that our joint opinion is complementary to SMC's advisory. The letter was published on 19 December 2016 in the Straits Times, and can be found at https://goo.gl/w36yag.
Feedback on HSA's proposed Regulatory Guidelines for Telehealth Devices
SMA submitted feedback to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on 21 November 2016 regarding the proposed regulatory guidelines for telehealth devices. We highlighted concerns regarding confidentiality, integrity and accessibility of data transmitted from telehealth devices, and suggested referencing the Ministry of Health National Telemedicine Guidelines to ensure consistency of principles in guiding doctors' clinical practice.
Meeting with MPS on Medical Indemnity
The SMA, AMS and CFPS met with officials from the Medical Protection Society (MPS) on 2 December 2016 to discuss various issues regarding medical indemnity. Prior to the meeting, MPS had published an FAQ on membership, subscriptions and other matters. This is available at https://goo.gl/jLLXJv.
Renewal of SMACF's IPC Status
The Institutions of a Public Character (IPC) status for the SMA Charity Fund (SMACF) was successfully renewed for another two years, from 27 December 2016 to 26 December 2018 (both dates inclusive). SMA Members who donate to SMACF will continue to enjoy tax benefits according to prevailing tax rates. SMACF provides bursaries to needy medical students from all three medical schools, as one of its core programmes. Donations to SMACF can be made online at https://www.giving.sg/smacf.