Advice to MOH on the Extended Panel initiative

Advice to MOH on the Extended Panel initiative

Under the Extended Panel (“EP”) initiative, Integrated Shield Plan insurers will “mutually recognise” one another’s panel doctors. The initiative aims to enable greater patient choice and better continuity of care. Main panel doctors of one insurer can be recognised by other insurers as their EP doctors and policyholders who are seen by the EP doctors will enjoy certain key panel benefits which would minimally include co-payment cap as long as the specialists comply with the insurers’ terms and fees. While noting that the EP initiative could promote competition among a bigger pool of doctors and give policyholders greater choices, CCCS advised Ministry of Health (“MOH”) on measures to safeguard competition, including ensuring that prospective EP doctors obtain commercially sensitive information regarding rates and terms directly from insurers individually.