Healthcare

Being ill and hospitalised is a stress-inducing experience and the last thing you need during a trying time is to worry about the quality of care you receive and your medical bills.

However, disputes with your medical provider over patient care, service quality and fees can occur.

Mediation

Mediation is a voluntary process where a neutral third-party, the mediator, facilitates the disputants’ negotiation process for a private and amicable settlement.

Healthcare Schemes

Individuals who have issues with public and/or private healthcare institutions can settle their disputes by applying for mediation under the Healthcare Mediation Scheme (for disputes above $10,000) or Small Case Healthcare Mediation Scheme (for disputes below $10,000). Both schemes are supported by MOH Holdings Pte Ltd (MOHH).

Fees

For the fees and other information on the Healthcare Mediation Scheme or Small Case Healthcare Mediation Scheme, please contact MOHH at +65 9116 9364 or [email protected]. Alternatively, please click here to visit their website.

Mediation Procedure

For cases that are not eligible under the MOHH mediation schemes, parties can mediate under SMC’s Mediation Procedure.

Fees

• Parties pay the mediation fees below for the Mediation Procedure.
  

  MEDIATION PROCEDURE FEE (For disputes up to $60,000)
  A non-refundable filing fee of $27.25 is to be borne by each party, applicable to all mediations administered by the Singapore Mediation Centre.
  Sum in dispute	Mediation fees	Hourly rate
  Up to $20,000	$218.00	$54.50
  Above $20,000 and up to $40,000	$305.20	$76.30
  Above $40,000 and up to $60,000	$392.40	$98.10
  * The figures above are in Singapore dollars and inclusive of GST. ** Each party will be charged a mediation fee for up to 4 hours of mediation. When the mediation extends beyond the 4 hours, each party will be charged at the applicable hourly rate as indicated above for each additional hour (or part thereof).

  MEDIATION PROCEDURE FEE (For disputes above $60,000)
  A non-refundable filing fee of $272.50 is to be borne by each party, applicable to all mediations administered by the Singapore Mediation Centre.
  Sum in dispute	Mediation fees
  Above $60,000 and up to $100,000	$981.00 per party per day
  Above $100,000 and up to $250,000	$1,308.00 per party per day
  Above $250,000 and up to $500,000	$2,997.50 per party per day
  Above $500,000 and up to $1,000,000	$3,542.50 per party per day
  Above $1,000,000 and up to $2,500,000	$4,632.50 per party per day
  Above $2,500,000 and up to $5,000,000	$5,722.50 per party per day
  Above $5,000,000 and up to $10,000,000	$7,030.50 per party per day
  Above $10,000,000 and up to $20,000,000	$8,447.50 per party per day
  Above $20,000,000 and up to $50,000,000	$10,082.50 per party per day
  Above $50,000,000	$12,262.50 per party per day
  * The figures above are in Singapore dollars and inclusive of GST.

  Please note that if parties choose their own mediator(s), the selected mediator(s) may charge his/her commercial rates and the above mediation fee will not be applicable.

  For more information, please refer to the mediation procedures and fees on the Documents & Forms page:

  • Mediation Procedure Rules
  • Mediation Procedure Fees

  Neutral Evaluation

  Alternatively, SMC also offers neutral evaluation where an unbiased third party hears your case either through written briefs and/or oral presentations.

  SMC works with a distinguished panel of neutral evaluators comprising former Supreme Court judges, judicial commissioners and senior counsel with extensive experience and knowledge in deciding legal issues.

  This adjudicatory process, where the neutral evaluator considers the merits of your case, such as technical evaluations or points of law, allows contending parties to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of their case.

  Parties can choose whether to have a binding opinion or not and opt for a documents-only evaluation or an evaluation with hearing(s). Where parties choose to have a binding opinion, neutral evaluation allows parties to have a speedy and cost-effective ruling, avoiding hefty litigation or arbitration bills. The process is entirely private and confidential.

  SMC also works with the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre Ltd (FIDReC) to offer a modified Neutral Evaluation Scheme for cases that have been heard by FIDReC. For more details, please contact SMC.

  Fees

  Parties will have to pay SMC’s administrative fee, which is dependent on the sum of the dispute set out below.

  SMC’S ADMINISTRATIVE FEE
  Sum in dispute	Mediation fees
  Up to $500,000	$763.00
  $500,001 to $1,000,000	$1,090.00
  $1,000,001 to $5,000,000	$1,635.00
  Above $5,000,000	$2,180.00
  * The figures above are in Singapore dollars and inclusive of GST.

  In addition, they will have to pay the neutral evaluator whose rate may range from $500 –$1,200 per hour depending on his/her experience. The cost of the neutral evaluation will depend on the total number of hours spent by the neutral evaluator which in turn is dependent on the nature and complexity of the dispute.

  Other optional expenses include charges for venue and refreshments.

  For more information, please refer to the neutral evaluation rules and fees on the Documents & Forms page:

  • Neutral Evaluation Rules
  • Neutral Evaluation Fees