KTPH trials ‘smart diapers' for adult patients to help prevent skin conditions, relieve burden on nurses
Patients who have difficulty communicating their needs or who have mobility issues stand to benefit the most from this innovation.
SINGAPORE – A finger-sized device attached to diapers worn by adult patients could help them to avoid developing skin conditions and simultaneously free up nursing staff from checking on those patients multiple times throughout the day.
Developed by South Korean healthtech firm Monit, the small gadget is connected to a 20cm-long strip with sensors. The device is currently being tested at the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) in a two-month-long trial.
It could help reduce cases of incontinence-associated dermatitis – such as inflammation, rashes or other more serious skin conditions – caused by patients lying in soiled diapers for a prolonged period.
The device can also relieve nurses from having to check diapers six times or more a day, a practice that can feel intrusive, the hospital said in a statement.
Patients who have difficulty communicating their needs or who have mobility issues stand to benefit the most from this innovation.
Monit's monitoring sensor is attached to the outside of the diaper using an adhesive. It can detect the presence of urine or faeces in the diaper by monitoring factors such as temperature and humidity.
The sensor can be cleaned and reused when the diaper is changed.
Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in analysing data to determine how badly soiled the diaper is, the sensor conveys the information in real-time, which is translated into a colour-coded system on tablets the nurses carry , said KTPH general surgery senior consultant Clement Chia.
Ms Cherie Koh, a senior nurse manager at KPTH, said this allows nurses to prioritise which patient needs to be attended to first, if there are multiple patients with soiled diapers.
In 2024, KTPH saw 33 patients with incontinence-associated dermatitis, Dr Chia said , noting that less mobile patients are at greater risk of infection as they may not be able to move to ventilate the area.
While in most cases dermatitis results in irritation for patients, which can be resolved with basic skin care, in more serious cases it could lead to infections, which might require the use of antibiotics or even surgery in more extreme situations, he noted.
Providing nurses with real-time alerts via the 'smart diapers' could help improve the situation, he added.
'We want to prevent it from even happening in the first place,' said Dr Chia, who is also the programme lead for KTPH's smart ward initiative.
Monit's monitoring sensor is attached to the outside of the diaper using an adhesive. It can detect the presence of urine or faeces in the diaper by monitoring factors such as temperature and humidity.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
The trial, which began on July 8, will focus on general medicine patients as well as those from the acute stroke unit, who are more likely to require incontinence care.
It will help the hospital determine how beneficial the use of the sensors is in the day-to-day care of patients.
As part of the trial, KTPH is testing the use of six sensors, with two currently in use.
The smart diaper trial is part of KTPH's first smart ward, located on the hospital's seventh floor.
The ward, which has 33 beds, will employ technology such as a fall detection system, automated wheelchairs, smart wearables and bed turners with the aim of improving patient care.
The smart ward is being launched in conjunction with the 15th anniversary of KPTH, which is part of public healthcare cluster NHG Health.
NHG Health group chief research and innovation officer Tan Cher Heng said in a statement that the cluster – formerly known as the National Healthcare Group – embraces technology as an 'enabler of better and more dignified care for patients'.
'The use of AI in care innovations such as this smart diaper trial at KTPH exemplifies how we can harness smart solutions to improve comfort, prevent complications and support our nursing staff,' said Associate Professor Tan.
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Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
'Pull-up grandma', 79, can do 100 pull-ups and barbell squat her own weight: More seniors like her are working out at the gym
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Dr Charlotte Lim, 79, doing pull-ups with a 5kg weight. She began her strength training journey when she was 72. SINGAPORE – Dr Charlotte Lim stands at a petite 1.58 m and weighs 49kg, but she pulls her own weight in the gym. At 79 years old, she can do a 50kg barbell back squat and dead-hang for over 3½ minutes. Her training includes up to 100 pull-ups. Besides making friends with younger gym users, she has also picked up fitness lingo such as 'jacked', which has been used to describe her well-honed muscles. 'A total stranger came up to me, fist-bumped me and said, 'Well done, gym bro.' That was quite cute,' she says of an encounter in a gym in Perth, Australia, that she used while visiting her sister there. She never stops working out, even on holiday, rain or shine. Dr Lim's strength training journey started at age 72. Her children – health and fitness coaches Yan Lin, 42, and Tiat Lim, 53 – invited her to join the gym they run together, Bespoke Fitness, so they could train as a family. It was then at one-north, but has since relocated to a space under Dr Lim's 1,600 sq ft condominium unit in Farrer Road. Dr Lim, a widow who holds a PhD in anthropology, had exercised on her own since retiring from her job in human resources at age 57. She would run on a treadmill and do light weights, but her training was unfocused, she says. Dr Charlotte Lim (centre) with her two children Yan Lin (left) and Tiat Lim (right). ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO She was then 'skinny fat', with a body fat percentage of about 29, which is within the average range for women her age. But after starting the gym's FitRX training programme, she could do unassisted sit-ups within a year. 'Before that, I had to anchor my legs down before I could do a sit-up,' says Dr Lim, who turns 80 in December. It took her four years to do her first chin-up, using an underhand grip that is easier than a pull-up's overhand grip. Today, her body fat is 15 per cent, according to the InBody machine, which measures body composition. She does FitRX three times a week, with each workout containing calisthenics, strength training and a cardio burst. The programme covers her whole body over a two-week cycle. On her active rest days, she runs 1.2km around her condo compound and does pull-ups. She has no helper and does the housework herself. Dr Lim demonstrates her strength and mobility during this interview with her least favourite exercise, a Turkish get-up that uses the whole body in multiple planes. Raising a dumbbell in one hand with one leg bent and the other stretched out, she lifts her body from a lying position to standing, and back down again. Dr Charlotte Lim demonstrating her strength and mobility with her least favourite exercise, a Turkish get-up. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Her workouts do take more than twice as long as others half her age. Although she star ts a t 7am, it sometimes takes her two hours to finish what younger clients complete in 40 minutes. But she says: 'I recover from my soreness and aches very fast now.' Ms Lin says: 'She's never given up on any workout, no matter how long. It's a reflection of the integrity of her character.' Dr Lim says: 'Whenever I complete a workout, I feel good. Then months or years later, I suddenly realise I can do things I never expected to do, like the chin-up. My biggest achievement is not having to see a doctor for health issues.' Her cholesterol levels are now optimal and she has managed to prevent sarcopenia, which is age-related muscle loss, says Ms Lin. Dr Charlotte Lim can do a 50kg barbell back squat, more than her weight of 49kg. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Bespoke Fitness has about 30 clients, over half of whom are 50 years old and up. A three-day trial for first-timers costs $38, and unlimited classes are $259 a month. On July 12, Dr Lim will run her first race, a 100m dash in the women's masters 75 to 79 age group category in the Singapore Masters Track and Field Association's Track & Field Champions hip. At home, her family eats a clean homemade diet and cooks with no sugar, oil, additives and processed food. But it is no 'gym bro' food like boiled chicken breasts that sacrifices taste entirely. Dr Lim shows off a menu that lists local dishes from rendang to chicken curry bee hoon. She also drinks two homemade protein shakes daily. Out of 21 meals in a week, two are 'cheat' meals where they may visit, say, Crystal Jade restaurants. Chendol is her favourite cheat dessert, which she indulges in three to four times a year. Dr Lim has also achieved a measure of social media fame since Ms Lin started an Instagram account, @pullup_grandma, about a year ago to chronicle her fitness journey. It has over 1,830 followers and Dr Lim says she has received 'thousands' of encouraging messages from fans as far away as the US . 'It's like a mission now to show people how to look after your body. You don't have to have a walking stick or be in a wheelchair in the last 10 years of your life,' she says. Accessible and affordable options for seniors Like Dr Lim, more active midlifers and seniors are heading to the gym to strength-train, which helps prevent and manage age-related health issues like sarcopenia that could lead to frailty, falls and fractures. It also strengthens their mental health and immunity, among a host of benefits. Strength training, in other words, increases health span, the period of life in which one is healthy. This is a trend driven by Singapore's super-ageing society, changing societal norms about what 'old' people can do, as well as an increase in the gym choices available. One in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above by 2030, compared with one in 10 in 2010. One of the most well-known local senior gym brands, Gym Tonic, has a waiting list of 2,200 individuals despite minimal marketing. It plans to expand to 10 new sites within the next year, says Mr Gabriel Lim, programme director at Lien Foundation. The philanthropic organisation initially partnered nursing homes and senior care centres for Gym Tonic's launch in 2015, but shifted its focus to all seniors within the community a year later, with 22 of its 29 sites open to this more active group. Launched in 2015 by Lien Foundation and its partners, Gym Tonic has a waiting list of 2,200 seniors despite minimal marketing and plans to open 10 new sites within the next year. PHOTO: LIEN FOUNDATION They are run by social service agencies and located in A ctive Ageing Centres, community clubs and a social service hub in a shopping centre. Its programme hopes to make strength training mainstream and address age-related muscle loss, a key cause of frailty, Mr Lim says. It now serves some 5,200 users annually, who range from 55 to 97 years old, with an average age of 71 for women and 73 for men. Nearly 40 participants in its community sites are aged 90 and up. Members undergo a structured 12-week programme with a pre-assessment, twice-weekly sessions on hydraulic or pneumatic equipment, as well as a post-assessment. Fees vary by centre, typically ranging from $7.50 to $20 a session in 24-session packages. They are kept affordable through its non-profit partners and the foundation's support. Nearly six in 10 seniors in the community are physically well but inactive, which means they need earlier intervention so they do not increase their frailty risk an d h ealthcare burden, he says, referring to statistics from the Ministry of Health's 2023 Frailty Strategy Policy Report. 'User needs have also evolved. Five years ago, many joined at the urging of their children. Today, more seniors sign up on their own, aware that frailty can be delayed or reversed. National initiatives like Healthier SG and Age Well SG have also brought strength training into sharper public focus,' he says. 'Younger seniors aged 55 to 65 are more health-literate and seek structured, results-driven sessions, while older participants in their 80s often have simpler goals – like staying mobile and independent – and require closer supervision to train safely.' A Sport Singapore (SportSG) spokesperson says about 14,000 individuals aged 50 and up visited its 28 gyms at least once a week in the first half of 2025. It did not provide comparison figures for previous years. A one-time entry ticket is free for Singaporeans and permanent residents aged 65 and up, while those aged 55 and above pay $1.50 and adults aged up to 54 pay $2.50. Its ActiveSG Sport Centres also offer an eight-week Calm (Combat Age-related Loss of Muscle) programme for seniors who are at least 60 years old, where they learn about the importance of building lean muscle for daily activities and use resistance bands, free weights and gym machines to build their strength-training confidence. To make the programme more accessible, SportSG has taken Calm to 75 Active Ageing Centres as part of its Frailty Prevention Programme so far, and will reach a total of 100 such centres by the end of 2025. ActiveSG members who are Singaporeans and permanent residents can use their $100 SG60 ActiveSG credits to fully cover Active Health programme fees, including the $60 Calm programme. Gym is the new coffee shop Commercial gyms for seniors also have come up with innovative spins for their clients. Community is at the heart of Aspire55, a 900 sq ft gym in Commonwealth that started in 2014, says co-founder Janice Chia. It boasts nine state-of-the-art smart strength stations with Wi-Fi-enabled touchscreens from Finnish company Hur, but it is the camaraderie from working out together that keeps its 120 active members coming back . 'Our membership has grown steadily, especially post-pandemic, as more older adults prioritise strength and preventive health,' she says. 'As a social health-focused community, the strength training circuit is designed so members can laugh and chat with one another while working out.' Ms Janice Chia is the founder of Aspire55. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Aspire55's membership ranges from ages 50 to over 90, but most are between 60 and 80 years old. They undergo an initial fitness assessment – covering baseline strength, balance, body composition as well as functional tests – and repeat it every six months. Sixty-minute personalised strength training classes are held in small groups. Prices start at $700 for 10 sessions. Trial passes and social memberships are available, as is ad-hoc personal training. Aspire55 members are guided by fitness instructors as they undergoing strength training. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Aspire55 also serves another 300 seniors who take part in its a la carte activities, and has a database of over 10,000 seniors who are invited to active ageing events. The clubhouse has a 100 sq ft balcony where clients can plant vegetables and fruits. Its latest harvest includes blue pea flowers, mint and lemon, Ms Chia says. 'Commitment is sustained through strong community bonds, encouragement from trainers and the social aspect – members look forward to meeting friends during sessions. We also encourage mini potlucks where members spontaneously cook for one another. W e have enjoyed dishes, from freshly baked sourdough bread to nasi ulam to ondeh ondeh,' she adds. Other popular activities include dance evenings, fitness ball drumming, cheerleading, camps and karaoke sessions. Underserved market Seniors are a sorely underserved market Ms Chia wants to tap. Ageing is a US$4.56 trillion (S$5.84 trillion) market opportunity in the Asia-Pacific region in 2025, with Singapore's market potential estimated to be at US$72.4 billion, says Ms Chia. She is also the founder of Ageing Asia, an ageing-focused consultancy that is behind the 16-year-old annual World Ageing Asia Festival. In June 2025 , Aspire55's community brand, Singapore Seniors, became the active ageing operator for Commune@Henderson, Singapore's first intergenerational co-living space that houses seniors as well as foreign students. It was developed by TSTAP, a joint venture between dormitory operator TS Group and co-living provider The Assembly Place. Under Commune's community ambassador time-share model, seniors organise and teach activities such as painting and gardening in exchange for access to a personalised circuit strength gym programme similar to Aspire55's version . Students living there also help to teach the older adults tech-related classes, among other activities. Ms Chia hopes to replicate the concept of an intergenerational gym in private condominiums here, which often see their gyms empty during office hours. While condos usually have seasonal programmes for residents, she wants to create regular opportunities for young and old to interact meaningfully. 'This is a cost-efficient, scalable way to bring our model closer to homes,' she says. At Vigeo Personal Training's 1,900 sq ft gym in YWCA Fort Canning, members do not have to wait for their turn at a weight machine or search for missing dumbbells. Its 'gym within a gym' concept has pods containing the equipment they need for their workout, almost like a business-class version of the usual gym set-up. Mr Benson Poh, director of Vigeo Personal Training, helping Ms Julia Tey during a training session. It has a 'gym within a gym' concept, with pods that contain all the equipment members need. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO And unlike gyms which have a wall of mirrors, the ones here are strategically placed as semi-private partitions along the middle of the gym to make shy clients feel more at ease. Most of Vigeo's clients are above 50 years old and many have medical conditions such as osteoporosis, sarcopenia, diabetes and general muscle weakness, says its director Benson Poh, who started the business six years ago. He declined to reveal his membership figures. It offers semi-private personal training, in which a coach takes care of two to four clients in a session and each can access his or her customised workout using a tablet at his or her pod. Fees start at $105 a session and members are encouraged to attend twice weekly. 'Gyms have always been about aesthetics, but we are trying to improve quality of life and help people stay healthy into their 60s, 70s and beyond,' Mr Poh says. That also means challenging stereotypes of what kinds of exercise seniors can do, while being mindful of their injuries and health issues. 'If you treat old people like old people, they will be old people. A lot of times, senior training is about taking it slow because you're very frail. But we want to challenge them to the best of their abilities,' he adds. One of the most heart-warming cases he has handled was a woman in her 70s who wept with joy after she was strong enough to get up from the floor, something she had not been able to do since knee replacement surgery. Part-time teacher Julia Tey, 50, signed up at Vigeo in November 2023 when she began gaining weight in perimenopause despite running and doing yoga stretches regularly. After strength training for a while, she realised she had to buy clothes in a bigger size as her muscles developed, but it triggered a 'mindset shift' from the perception that women must be stick-thin like K-drama actresses. 'Since gym training, I run better and feel independent and strong, physically and mentally. My back doesn't hurt when I try to carry something,' she says. 'I shamelessly feel like I'm 30 again.' Physiotherapy practice Thrive Healthcare launched its Legends programme in 2019 because it saw a gap in the market. The programme helps older adults with diverse medical conditions develop functional fitness, strength and conditioning, says physiotherapist Lenis Phoa. It has around 100 active members ranging from 50 to 91 years old, who can choose from its schedule of eight one-hour classes. Most attend once or twice weekly. Prospective members must attend a trial class at $35 to see if they are suitable. Packages start at $225 for five sessions and there is a couple package for spouses as well. Ms Phoa says the programme initially focused on safety and engagement for a diverse group of clients, but has since evolved to include a data-driven approach to track improvement, fitness and health education, as well as community building. One success story is Madam Cheok Soh Cheng, 74, who suffers from multiple health conditions. After joining the programme in July 2024, she has improved her health and gained energy and confidence, so much so that she is looking forward to taking part in the gym's in-house competition in Augu st. Madam Cheok Soh Cheng, 74, who suffers from multiple health conditions, has improved her health and gained energy and confidence after joining Thrive Healthcare's Legends programme for seniors. PHOTO: THRIVE HEALTHCARE Mr Li m from Lien Foundation says private gyms such as these serve a different segment of the silver market. He hopes all future Active Ageing Centres will include a dedicated seniors' gym. 'Their rise signals a positive shift towards ageing well – offering safe, peer-supported spaces for seniors to begin strength training. It is a fast-growing space. 'As seen in Finland and Japan, more players can drive innovation and help make strength training a norm for seniors, not the exception.'
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Physical therapist in US dies inside hyperbaric chamber after it catches fire
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Dr Walter Foxcroft was found dead on July 9 inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber at his health clinic. LAKE HAVASU CITY, Arizona - A 43-year-old physical therapist was found dead on July 9 inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber at his health clinic in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, after the device caught on fire, according to officials. The Lake Havasu City Fire Department said in a statement on July 10 that fire and police personnel were dispatched to Havasu Health and Hyperbarics on July 9 at 10.50pm local time after receiving a 911 call about a burn victim. When they arrived, they found the building was filled with smoke and an intact hyperbaric chamber appeared to have had a flash fire while a person was inside. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and identified as Dr Walter Foxcroft. He was the owner of the clinic, according to a LinkedIn page in his name. No one else was injured. The Lake Havasu City Fire and Police departments said on July 11 that they were still investigating the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding Dr Foxcroft's death. It was not clear why Dr Foxcroft was in the chamber. The clinic did not immediately respond to a request for comment on July 11. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Air India crash report shows pilot confusion over engine switch movement Business F&B operators face tougher business landscape amid rising costs and stiff competition Business What's in store for policyholders after GE removes pre-authorisation letters for two private hospitals Multimedia Which floor is this? Chongqing's maze-like environment powers its rise as a megacity Business 4 conditions that allow seniors with dementia to sign wills Asia 'Woven air': Ancient fabric spun across history makes comeback amid lies and climate change World 500 tourists evacuated from Grand Canyon wildfires Sport 'A step forward' for golfer Shannon Tan, who makes cut at Evian Championship He is at least the second person to die in 2024 after a fire broke out in a hyperbaric chamber. In February, an oxygen-rich hyperbaric chamber at a medical facility in Michigan exploded and killed a 5-year-old boy, who had been receiving medical treatment. The owner of the medical centre and two employees were later charged with murder and accused of ignoring safety standards, and one worker was charged with manslaughter. Hyperbaric oxygen chambers are pressurised tubes in which patients receive pure oxygen, according to the Mayo Clinic. Patients lie inside and have either a mask or a clear hood placed over their heads. There is a significant risk of fire in and around the chambers because they are an oxygen-rich environment, and it is also not always possible to quickly get out of a chamber when a fire sparks. 'Due to the enclosed and pressurised nature of the chamber, it is impossible to quickly open the door when the chamber is pressurised,' according to the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Centre. The goal of the treatments is to speed up the healing of damaged or infected tissue that is 'starved for oxygen,' and a prescription from a health care provider is required to receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. It is most commonly used to treat serious trauma, such as crushing injuries that block blood flow, carbon dioxide poisoning, decompression sickness or to save limbs that are fighting infection. But on its website, the Arizona clinic appears to advertise hyperbaric oxygen therapy for a variety of treatments that are not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration, including anti-ageing and autism treatments. 'There currently isn't enough research and testing to conclude that hyperbaric oxygen therapy safely and effectively treats these conditions,' according to the Cleveland Clinic. Dr Foxcroft, a Lake Havasu City resident, held a doctorate in physical therapy from Touro University Nevada and a bachelor's degree in physiological science from the University of Arizona, where he was also a mascot, according to the LinkedIn page. Havasu News, a local news site, reported that the clinic had a sign taped to the front door the morning after Dr Foxcroft died saying it was closed until further notice. Several bouquets of flowers and a note had been left at the door. NYTIMES
Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Straits Times
What's in store for policyholders after GE removes pre-authorisation letters for two private hospitals
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox GE temporarily stopped issuing pre-authorisation certificates for admissions to Mount Elizabeth Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital from June 17. SINGAPORE - Some policyholders of Great Eastern (GE) found themselves in a pickle after the insurer temporarily stopped issuing pre-authorisation certificates for admissions to Mount Elizabeth hospitals from June 17. Policyholders will now have to re-evaluate whether they want to go to Mount Elizabeth Hospital or Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital for treatment; switch to another private hospital; or change insurance provider altogether. The incident has also highlighted the need for a separate pool of funds for unexpected medical expenses, even though the verdict on such a fund is mixed. Integrated Shield Plan (IP) holders of GE policies have to make some choices now that pre-authorisation for planned medical procedures has been suspended at the two Mount Elizabeth hospitals. Pre-authorisation is not required for emergency situations, where immediate medical attention is needed. Mr Alex Lee, president of the Singapore Actuarial Society (SAS), said those who still decide to go to the two hospitals for treatment will have to foot the bill out of their own pockets first and claim it back later. Mr Lee added that GE may reimburse the claim if it is deemed as reasonable. This will be no different from the scenario in which the policyholder has received pre-authorisation for the medical procedure. However, the insurer could also reject the claim if the treatment is excluded under the policy conditions, he said. Mr Kyith Ng, senior solutions specialist at insurance advisory firm Havend, said these GE policyholders will have to face the uncertainty over whether their insurance will cover their hospital expenses and how much of the bill it will cover. SAS' Mr Lee said other policyholders, who want peace of mind before their medical treatment starts, could choose to move to another private hospital where GE continues to offer pre-authorisation for admissions. There are eight private hospitals in Singapore, including the two Mount Elizabeth ones: Gleneagles, Parkway East, Farrer Park, Raffles, Thomson Medical Centre and Crawfurd Hospital. There is also one private not-for-profit hospital, Mount Alvernia. The process of pre-authorisation allows an insurer to assess whether a medical procedure recommended by the doctor is necessary and at a reasonable cost, said Associate Professor Chen Renbao from the department of finance at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School. Upon approval, policyholders have a gauge of the estimated treatment costs and know how much their insurance policy will cover prior to hospitalisation. There are some GE policyholders who are contemplating whether to switch to another insurance provider. They can do so if they do not have pre-existing illnesses, which will exclude these medical conditions from any new insurance coverage. One policyholder who wishes to remain anonymous told The Straits Times that his entire family uses Mount Elizabeth hospitals. He is thinking of switching to another IP insurer but is concerned about any exclusions that will not be covered. He told ST that GE should not impose such restrictions on existing policyholders and that these restrictions should only apply to new ones. Of the seven private insurers that offer IPs, Income and Singlife do not offer pre-authorisation for medical procedures. The other four, AIA, Prudential, HSBC Life and Raffles Health, do but Havend's Mr Ng said there is no certainty they will continue to do so. 'What GE does may make the other insurers wonder if they can do the same,' he added. If policyholders switch insurers and that insurer later makes changes to its claims policy, they could be caught in a bind, Mr Ng noted. Health insurance provides a safety net against unexpected health issues and offers individuals and their families protection in case major medical treatment becomes necessary. Mr Ng said an individual could build up savings specific for medical needs as another safety net. The fund can be used to pay any pre-hospitalisation procedures such as scans, blood tests or post-hospitalisation expenses like physiotherapy or speech therapy. Policyholders have to pay pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses in cash and then submit the claims for approval, Mr Ng added. Furthermore, some claims might take longer than usual to process. Mr Ng has seen cases drag out for as long as six months. Claimants will face a cash-flow crunch if they do not set aside enough cash on hand, he added. There are situations where individuals will need to pay medical costs upfront, though this is not always so, Mr Ng noted, adding that they just need to ensure they have an adequate amount to supplement those needs. Otherwise, they may be compelled to use the money set aside for other purposes, like their children's education or their own retirement. 'The money has to come from somewhere.' So, by setting aside say $20,000, individuals know how much money they have for such exigencies and will not have to take the money from their other financial funds, Mr Ng said. However, Associate Professor Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences, said it is not efficient for most people to maintain 'substantial funds in cash for medical needs', given that these are infrequent and large. He said the point of having more comprehensive insurance is to reduce the need to maintain funds just for medical purposes. If insurance does not give individuals such assurance, 'it is not of much value as an insurance product'. The Ministry of Health (MOH) has said it is engaging with GE to better understand the impact of its decision to suspend pre-authorisation certificates for Mount Elizabeth hospitals. In its reply to queries from the media on June 19, MOH said IP insurers 'would have to ensure that policyholders continue to be able to access the full benefits of their policies in accordance with the terms and conditions for claims, as stated in their policy contracts'. SAS' Mr Lee said GE is not in breach of contractual obligations. This is because 'issuance of Certificate of Pre-authorisation is at Great Eastern's discretion', according to the policy contract that SAS has sighted. According to GE's website, the insurer states that it has 'observed that, over the past few years, certain private hospitals have been charging significantly more for similar treatment or the same clinical outcomes'. Mr Lee noted that by withdrawing pre-authorisation for the two hospitals, GE hopes that it will help address 'the issue of rising charges from the two hospitals'. Prof Chen from the NUS Business School said that GE is prioritising healthcare providers that offer high-quality care and better cost management, specifically those that are more cost-effective and transparent about pricing. Having looked through the financials of all the IP insurers which filed their latest 2024 results with the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Havend's Mr Ng said he can see that GE is 'trying to control the cost levers' within its control. The insurer posted an underwriting profit in 2024 of $4.8 million, after making an underwriting loss of $44.9 million in 2023. This makes GE one of the three IP insurers which turned in a profit in 2024. The other two are Prudential and AIA. Three other IP insurers, Singlife, Income and HSBC Life, widened their underwriting losses while the last one, Raffles Health, narrowed its underwriting losses. Mr Lee said that insurance, especially in cases requiring little or no out-of-pocket expense, strengthens policyholders' sense of affordability. Demand induced by this stronger sense of affordability can drive up medical costs, he noted, adding that this never-ending cycle of medical cost inflation can be broken if the sense of affordability gets meaningfully dampened. However, Mr Lee pointed out that there are other factors such as shortage of medical professionals, supply chain disruptions and medical innovations that will drive up medical inflation. He added that if medical costs continue to rise, insurers will have no choice but to raise premiums because there is hardly any pricing buffer left in the rates being charged. Mr Lee said: 'At its core, this pre-authorisation withdrawal aims to address rising medical costs that, if poorly controlled, lead to premium rates spiralling upwards in future.' Prof Theseira added: 'This certainly could be perceived as a shot across the bow for private hospitals and doctors who have higher than average charges. 'If the decision changes patient behaviour, it would pressure private healthcare providers to moderate charges or risk similar actions being levied against them by other insurers.'
