Healthcare
Nature of dispute
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.
How we can help
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
Parties pay the administrative and mediation fees below.
HEALTHCARE MEDIATION SCHEME |
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| Public healthcare institutions or voluntary welfare organisations | Private healthcare institutions
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| Administrative fees (non-refundable) | $162 per party | $270 per party |
| Mediation fees | $324 per party per hour or part thereof after the second hour | $594 per hour or part thereof after the first hour |
| * The figures above are in Singapore dollars and inclusive of GST. | ||
SMALL CASE HEALTHCARE MEDIATION SCHEME |
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| Administrative fees (non-refundable) | $70.20 per party |
| Mediation fees | First 3 hours of mediation are free. If the mediation exceeds 3 hours, each party is to pay $70.20 per hour or part thereof |
| * The figures above are in Singapore dollars and inclusive of GST. | |
For the terms and conditions as well as other information on the Healthcare Mediation Scheme or Small Case Healthcare Mediation Scheme, please contact MOHH at +65 9116 9364 or mediate@mohh.com.sg. 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) |
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| A non-refundable filing fee of $27.00 is to be borne by each party, applicable to all mediations administered by the Singapore Mediation Centre. |
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| Sum in dispute | Mediation fees | Hourly rate |
| Up to $20,000 | $216.00 | $54.00 |
| Above $20,000 and up to $40,000 | $302.40 | $75.60 |
| Above $40,000 and up to $60,000 | $388.80 | $97.20 |
| * 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). |
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| MEDIATION PROCEDURE FEE (For disputes above $60,000) |
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| A non-refundable filing fee of $270.00 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 | $972.00 per party per day |
| Above $100,000 and up to $250,000 | $1,296.00 per party per day |
| Above $250,000 and up to $500,000 | $2,970.00 per party per day |
| Above $500,000 and up to $1,000,000 | $3,510.00 per party per day |
| Above $1,000,000 and up to $2,500,000 | $4,590.00 per party per day |
| Above $2,500,000 and up to $5,000,000 | $5,670.00 per party per day |
| Above $5,000,000 and up to $10,000,000 | $6,966.00 per party per day |
| Above $10,000,000 and up to $20,000,000 | $8,370.00 per party per day |
| Above $20,000,000 and up to $50,000,000 | $9,990.00 per party per day |
| Above $50,000,000 | $12,150.00 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 mediation procedure rules and fees on the Documents & Forms page:
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.
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 | $756.00 |
| $500,001 to $1,000,000 | $1,080.00 |
| $1,000,001 to $5,000,000 | $1,620.00 |
| Above $5,000,000 | $2,160.00 |
| * 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 their experience. The cost of the neutral evaluation will depend on the total number of hours expended 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:
Nature of dispute
Individuals may have grievances against registered medical practitioners over issues such as serious misconduct (e.g. mis-diagnosis or mis-prescription), breach of duty or neglect for patient safety.
How we can help
Mediation
Mediation is a voluntary process where a neutral third-party, the mediator, facilitates the disputants’ negotiation process for a private and amicable settlement.
Individuals who want to address their grievances against a medical practitioner must first register their complaint with the Singapore Medical Council’s Complaints Committee, who may then refer parties to mediation under the SMC-Medical Council Mediation Scheme.
The mediation process of the SMC-Medical Council Mediation Scheme is governed by the SMC-Medical mediation rules and subject to the Medical Registration Act (Cap 174).
Fees
The Singapore Medical Council will bear all mediation fees payable to SMC. However, each party will bear its own costs, expenses and disbursements of its participation and the fees of its advisors (if any) relating to the mediation.
Lodging a complaint
For more information on lodging a complaint, please click here or contact the Singapore Medical Council at +65 6372 3065 or enquiries@smc.gov.sg.