What doctors say about MHC Asia Group Managed Care–Dr Choong Sheau Peng

February 12th, 2011Doctors' Testimonial, Testimonials0 comments

12 Feb 2011

Dear Ms Lee May

Testimonial—MHC Medical Group

Many years ago, I was fortunate enough to be invited to join the MHC group as a participating panel doctor. Over the years together with the group, I function as a primary care doctor providing medical services to workers and staff. Patients with more complex or serious medical problems are referred to the appropriate specialists for further management. Together we are able to provide companies a complete medical package for their staff at reasonable prices which are both transparent and easily manageable.

MHC, as a health maintenance organization (HMO), secures businesses for me by acting as an intermediary between doctors and business groups. They will meet up with business organizations and do all the necessary paper work and bill companies accordingly after deducting an admin fee from the panel doctors. Such an arrangement is ideal as doctors themselves cannot solicit for business and may not have the business contacts and acumen to do so. Also, every new patient seen by the panel doctor opens up a new linkage to his family and friends. They may very well recommend new patients to see him if they are happy with his service and expertise. There is no doubt that the average consultation fees for contract patients will be lower than that of the private patients but this is more than compensated by a higher patient pool.

There was (and still is) a general thinking that HMOs are unscrupulous business organizations who exploit doctors by paying them extremely low consultation fees and themselves making huge profits at the doctors expense! Charging extremely low prices can also be brought about by cut throat competitive bidding by HMOs to secure contracts leading to prices that are well below costs! The end result is an over-worked and under-paid doctor working for almost nothing, leading to sub-standard medical care. This can result in poor service cutting corners to save costs and finally ruining the doctor’s own reputation. Experienced doctors may not want to participate in such a scheme. . Others may look out for contract loop-holes to help recover some of their costs through over-investigations and prescribing unnecessary medical treatments. This can be serious problem for everyone.

I know for a fact that the MHC group frowns upon such exploitative unhealthy practices. It is their belief that you must always be compensated reasonably for the service that you provide. Their contracts are always fair and transparent, making it clear to the doctors what is expected of them and paying them a reasonable fee… and always making an effort to pay on time! The doctors being reasonably paid will be expected to practice good medicine each time they see a patient, knowing very well that many HAPPY patients mean many more HAPPY referrals from the patients themselves! These results in a win-win situation for everyone and this must be the way forward for contract practices.

The MHC group it seems must be founded upon such a basic principle. It is run by experienced doctors who have good foresight and possess a deep understanding of contract practice and are genuinely concerned with the welfare of their doctors. They know that in the long run, the corporations whom they do business with will appreciate good quality and competent service. This can only be provided by happy doctors who do not feel exploited and underpaid. The MHC group stands out in this aspect. They truly appreciate the work that I put in and have never exploited my services over the years. They always make me feel like I am part of this one big family (the MHC group), dedicated to provide quality patient care for their paying customers. They believe that profits come naturally when your customers (i.e. your patients) are happy with your work. They also believe that being physicians, sometimes spending a little more of your time and effort for your patients goes a long way to securing a long-term and trustworthy doctor/patient relationship. Surely, this must be the correct way forward!

My dealings with MHC staff have always being pleasant and positive. Even when difficult problems arise, they are always resolved with understanding and courtesy. I do feel being part of this MHC family even though I am not under their direct employment. For me, all MHC contract patients are treated very much like my own private patients. There is no difference in patient care. Patients do appreciate this always respond positively.

I always treasure this partnership with the MHC Asia group. I have enjoyed my work over the years and have also benefitted in so many ways from this participation. I sincere fully wish the MHC Asia Group all the very best and hope to continue with this mutually beneficial relationship for many years to come!

Yours faithfully,

Dr Choong Sheau Peng

MBBS (Singapore)
United Medical Practitioners Pte Ltd

Blk 139 Tampines Street 11 #01-16

Singapore 521139

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