 The most common ailments for the elderly aged 65 and above are likely to be adjustment problems, depression, memory loss and adjustment problems. The elderly are generally treated for the following conditions.
- Adjustment Disorders
- Mood Disorders e.g. depression
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- Memory loss related to dementia
- Anxiety Disorders
- Psychotic Disorders
- Others e.g. grief and loss issues, behavioural problems, and stress from physical illness
Patient
Services
We provide assessment and treatment for
the following:
- Psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis of mental disorders in old age
- Neuropsychological assessment
- Home-based assessment and treatment (APCATS)
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- Medico-legal assessment
eg: having the mental capacity to draw up wills and manage affairs
Our dedicated multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists,
psychologists, nurses, medical social workers and occupational
therapists,
case managers , physiotherapists and pharmacists
ensure that our patients receive comprehensive
care.
Treatment is designed to meet each person's needs. Treatment
methods used at our clinic include:
- Medication
- Counselling & Psychological Treatment
- Electroconvulsive Treatment
- Physiotherapy
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provides customised group sessions of 5 - 10 patients to promote fun and interaction as they participate in programmes on fall prevention and fitness training.
- Occupational therapy [+]
Specialty Clinics & Programmes
We have a Psychogeriatric Clinic located at Specialist Clinic B, Geylang Behavioural Medicine Clinic and Community Wellness Clinic which cater to the mental health needs of the elderly in Singapore. Services provided include both inpatient and outpatient assessments and management by the multi-disciplinary team.
Community-Based Services
Aged Psychiatry Community Assessment and Treatment Service (APCATS) is a community-oriented psycho-geriatric outreach service that provides assessment and treatment for homebound or frail elderly patients. Its programmes provide assessment and treatment and coordination of services to improve the continuity of care.
In order to expand psychogeriatric services into the community, the Regional Eldercare Agencies Partnership (REAP) is an extension of APCATS. It aims to build capacity by enhancing training and support of community partners, enabling the early detection and management of psychogeriatric problems in the community. A newly launched initiative in 2008, IMH has partnered community eldercare agencies and family physicians for training, consultation, coordination and support to improve the continuity of care for the elderly with mental illnesses.
Appointments
and Referrals
The Institute of Mental Health (IMH)
provides specialist outpatient services for psychological and
psychiatric problems. Our dedicated multidisciplinary team of
psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, medical social workers and
occupational therapists ensure that our patients receive
comprehensive care. Treatment is designed to meet each person's
needs. Please click on the clinics for more information.
What to bring on your first visit
On
your first visit to the clinic please bring along the following
documents for registration if you have them:-
Referral documents
- Referral letter from your doctor (if any)
Identification documents
- Identity card (for citizens or Permanent Residents of Singapore)
- Birth Certificate of siblings (if their Medisave is to be used for admission)
- Passport (for foreigners)
- Work permit / Employment pass (if any)
- Any other identification documents
Medical benefit documents, if available
- Medical Fee Exemption Card (MFEC) including
- Civil Service Card (if any)
- Public Assistance Card (PA)
- Letter of Guarantee from company (if any)
- Any other medical benefit documents
FAQ
Choice of Ward Accommodation
Q: Can I choose my class of ward?
A: Patients have a free choice of class of ward accommodation. Patients are advised to choose an appropriate class based on their affordability.
Q: Can my family member stay overnight with me in the ward?
A: Only patients who are admitted to single rooms, i.e. Class A1 Ward, are allowed to have an immediate family member stay over with them. Additional charges may apply. Please check with the nurse on duty for more details.
Hospital Charges and Financial Assistance
Q: How much will my hospital stay cost?
A: You will be given financial counselling on the estimated hospital bill size upon your admission here. Your actual bill may differ from estimates depending on your medical condition, treatment and length of hospitalisation.
Q: What rates will I pay for follow-up at SOC after discharge?
A: For follow-up treatment at SOCs after discharge, Class A and B1 patients will be charged at private rates and Class B2 and C patients at subsidised rates.
Q: What if I have difficulty paying for my hospital expenses?
A: You can inform our staff who can refer you to our Medical Social Workers. They will assess your situation and make appropriate recommendations on how the Hospital can provide financial assistance.
Deposit
Q: Is a deposit required?
A: A deposit is normally collected at the time of the patient's admission to cover his estimated hospital bill. The amount varies, depending on the type of case and the class of ward chosen. The staff handling your admission will be able to advise you on this.
Q: What happens to my admission if I do not have the money to pay the deposit?
A: Patients who do not have the money to pay the deposit are not denied admission to the hospital for basic health services provided they are admitted to a Class B2 and C Ward. You will be referred to our Medical Social Workers for assessment of financial assistance.
Patients seeking admission to class A or B1 wards and who are unable to pay the deposit should re-consider their choice of ward.
Q: Do I need to pay a deposit when I am using my Medisave to settle my hospital bill?
A: For Class A and B1 patients, a deposit is usually collected even if Medisave is used to settle part of the hospital bill. The deposit covers the difference between the total charges and the maximum Medisave claim amount. Subsequent deposit top ups may be required if the initial deposit is insufficient to cover the difference in total charges.
Generally B2 and C patients using Medisave are not required to furnish a deposit if they have sufficient balance in their Medisave account.
Full deposit would be required if the yearly Medisave withdrawal limit has been reached. The deposit payment can be made in cash, by NETS, credit card, or local cheque.
Medisave
Q: How do I use my Medisave to pay the hospital bill?
A: You need to tell the hospital staff handling your admission that you wish to use your Medisave. You will also be given a Medisave Authorisation Form (MAF) to complete. This serves as your authorisation for the hospital to submit the hospital bill to draw down your Medisave balances from the CPF Board.
Q: Who can I use my Medisave for?
A: Medisave may be used for your spouse, children, parents and grandparents (grandparents must be Singapore citizens or permanent residents).
Q: Under what circumstances can I use my Medisave for non-immediate family members?
A: Use of Medisave for non-immediate family members such as siblings, in laws, uncles/aunts and nephews/nieces may be allowed on a case-by-case basis if the patient is hospitalised in Class B2 and C wards. For B1 class and above, non-immediate family medisave usage is not permitted. An application can be made at the Emergency Services and Business Office and it is subject to approval.
Q: How much medisave can I use?
A: Medisave used for inpatient psychiatric treatment is subject to a withdrawal limit of $150 per day and a maximum of $5,000 a year.
The use of Medisave for outpatient treatment of Schizophrenia and Major Depression is subject to a $30 deductible and 15% co-payment by the patient per claim. In addition, the amount of Medisave withdrawn for the treatment of one or more approved chronic diseases, shall not exceed $300 per Medisave account per calendar year or the remaining balance in the Medisave account holder, whichever is lower.
Q: Why are withdrawal limits imposed?
A: Medisave withdrawal limits are necessary to ensure that members' Medisave savings are conserved for future medical needs, especially after retirement and during old age. Also, the limits are generally adequate to cover expenses incurred in the B2 and C class wards fully.
However, for hospitalisation expenses incurred in private wards, i.e. Class A and B1, the patient usually has to pay cash out-of-pocket for the part of the bill which Medisave does not cover.
Q: What happens if the patient and/or Medisave account holder are found to have given a false declaration?
A: Penalties will be imposed on any person found to have given a false declaration. Unauthorised use of another person's Medisave account would be considered a criminal offence. The persons involved may be referred to the Police.
Q: How does the hospital deduct the funds from my Medisave Account?
A: We will submit a claim direct to the CPF Board for deductions from your Medisave Account at the end of every month. Your hospital bill will show the amount deducted from your Medisave account and the outstanding amount to be settled by you, if any.
Q: What if I am covered under my company medical benefits?
A: If your employer is paying for your bill, please bring along your Letter of Guarantee from your employer or present your Hospitalisation Identity Card (HIC).
At the point of admission, you will still be required to sign the Medisave Authorisation Form. Depending on the arrangement between the employer and the hospital, your Medisave will be deducted either fully or partially at the point of billing.
Q: What does Medisave not cover?
A: Medisave does not cover the following:
- Outpatient consultation fees, tests and investigations (except for approved Chronic Disease Management diagnosis : Major Depression and Schizophrenia)
- Charges for medical reports
- Private expenditures such as telephone calls
- Ambulance fees
- Hospital stay less than 8 hours
- Respite care
Medifund
Q: What is Medifund?
A: Medifund is an endownment fund set up by the Government as a safety net to help needy Singapore citizens who are not able to pay for their heavily subsidised medical care at restructured hospitals.
Q: Who qualifies to apply for Medifund help?
A: To qualify for Medifund, you must be a Singaporean Citizen, have received treatment or require treatment as a Class B2 or C inpatient or a subsidised outpatient and are unable to afford the medical charges, fees and other expenses incurred, and have used up all your own and immediate family’s Medisave balances.
Q: How do I apply for Medifund?
A: You can inform our staff, e.g. doctors, nurses or medical social workers of your need for Medifund assistance. You will need to fill in an application form obtainable from the Medical Social Worker. A Medical Social Worker would be assigned to assist you. You may be required to provide documents to verify your financial status and a home visit may be required.
Q: How much help can I get from Medifund?
A: The amount of help from Medifund depends on your financial circumstances and the charges incurred. The hospital Medifund Committee will take into account factors such as the bill size, and whether the treatment is required on a long-term basis and assess each application based on the individual circumstances.
Q: What cases will Medifund not help?
A: Medifund does not cover the following:
- Respite care
- Social overstayer
- Other services such as ambulance fees, telephone calls, laundry etc
- Private class bills
- Medical reports
Q: Where do I get more details about Medifund?
A: You may contact the Medical Social Worker at Tel: 6389 2059
Civil Service Card (CSC) Holders
Q: What do I need to do during registration if I am a CSC holder?
A: You need to produce the CSC/MBIM and Identity Card to the Admissions Staff handling your admission. You will also need to complete a copy of the Medisave Authorisation Form if you wish to use your Medisave to cover any hospital charges not covered by your Civil Service Medical Benefits. If you do not wish to use your Medisave, you will be required to place 50% of the normal deposit.
Q: Can I opt for a ward class that is outside my medical entitlement?
A: If you seek to admit to a class of ward accommodation higher than your class entitlement stated in the CSC or MBIM, you will need to pay additional fees as specified by your Medical Benefit Scheme.
Q: How do I settle my hospitalisation charges?
A: After your discharge, your Ministry or Government Department will settle the charges covered by your Civil Service Medical Benefits (CSMB). If you have completed the Medisave Authorisation Form, the hospital will submit the bill directly to the CPF Board who will pay the portion not covered by CSMB through deduction from your Medisave account.
You will be required to pay for the difference by cash, cheque, NETS or credit card if you have insufficient Medisave savings.
Q: What is the "Co-payment of Ward" (CPW) scheme?
A: Under this scheme, when a CSC holder or his dependent admits to his class of entitlement, he pays 20% and his dependent pays 50% of the ward charges. However, if the patient seeks to admit to a higher class, he or his dependant will pay 100% of the ward charges. The rest of the hospital fees are billed to his employer.
Q: What about the Comprehensive Co-payment Scheme (CCS)?
A: Under the CCS scheme, CSC holders and their dependants will co-pay on all the services that are currently reimbursable. The co-payment percentages for CSC holders and their dependants are 15% and 40% respectively if they seek to admit to their class of entitlement. In the event that the patient upgrades to a higher class, a higher percentage of co-payment will be applicable.
Q: What is the MSO scheme?
A: The MSO refers to "Medisave cum Subsidised Outpatient" scheme. All newly recruited civil servants as from 1 Jan 1994 fall under this scheme.
Q: How does the Medisave-cum-Subsidised Outpatient (MSO) scheme work?
A: The government contributes 1% of the gross monthly salary of the employee to the employee’s Medisave account, up to a maximum of $70 per month. As the employee has no hospitalisation benefits, he may buy his own hospitalisation insurance or use his Medisave to settle the hospital bill.
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