Why are obstacles placed on Medisave withdrawals?

Letter from Arthur Lim
09:24 PM Jan 24, 2012
I recently decided to use my Medisave for the first time, on a visit to the National Heart Centre for a routine screening, and was surprised by the multiple hurdles I had to clear.

The minimum claimable bill size is $50. A deductable of $30 for each outpatient must be paid out of pocket before claiming from Medisave. A co-payment in cash of 15 per cent must be paid on the balance of the bill. There is a Medisave Processing Fee of $3.14.

Could the Health Ministry clarify, for a start, why the form we are given is headed as "Financial Counselling"? We are not tapping Medifund, but using our own Medisave.

Why is there a processing fee each time, which is an added cost to some patients for whom a few dollars makes a big difference? And why, despite the $400 withdrawal limit, is there co-payment in cash?

Policies must be made simple and serve the purpose instead of making patients clear obstacles.
Ref:itoday