KUALA LUMPUR: Anyone seeking treatment at a private hospital is entitled to transparency on treatment costs, says the head of a private healthcare group.
"Patients have the right to ask their doctors or hospitals for the estimated cost of a procedure," Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said.
He said private hospitals were committed to providing clear cost estimations and were open to explaining each charge.
"Patients are also free to compare prices with other hospitals and decide where they wish to be treated," he said.
He was asked to comment on a recent report quoting Life Insurance Association of Malaysia chief executive Mark O'Dell on treatment costs in private hospitals.
O'Dell had expressed shock at being charged RM18,837.55 for a minor hernia operation at a private hospital here.
The charges were listed in a 13-page bill.
Dr Kuljit said hospitals were required by law to provide a detailed bill.
"If a patient is confused by a bill with multiple lines of charges, they can always ask for an explanation.
"Hospitals are prepared to go through each item to ensure clarity. We will explain every single line if necessary. Patients can always ask."
However, he said, not every individual charge should be disputed as the prices of many items on a bill were "standard".
"Patients should focus on the total amount of the bill, which reflects the agreed-upon cost for treatment, rather than questioning every charge after the fact.
"You should look at the total bill and consider whether it aligns with the treatment cost agreed upon before the procedure began."
Dr Kuljit also said the notion that private hospitals charged insured patients more was untrue.
Most reputable hospitals had strict governance policies and electronic medical records with details of a patient's ailments and treatments.
"It will be obvious if that kind of practice (discriminatory charging) is done.
"Perhaps there are instances where a poor patient walks into our hospital, teary-eyed, needing treatment, but doesn't have the money. The doctor, or even sometimes the hospital may just waive the charges because it is our duty to treat patients.
"But this discount or waiver cannot be construed as charging others with insurance policies more," he said.