Skip to main content

Table 3 Impact of financial disincentives on public ED attendances in Singapore, 1985–1997

From: Impact of health care system interventions on emergency department utilization and overcrowding in Singapore

Period of financial disincentive

Monitoring periods

Average monthly attendances

Average monthly emergency attendances

Average monthly non-emergency attendances

1 April 1987 (fee increased from Singapore $8 to $2)

Before increase (Jan to Mar 1987)

28,836

23,357

5,479

After increase (Apr to May 1987)

31,365

25,092

6,273

% Change

+8.8%

+7.4%

+14.5%

1 September 1989 (fee increased from Singapore $2 to $5)

Before increase (Jun to Aug 1989)

40,255

26,568

13,687

After increase (Sep to Nov 1989)

40,982

27,458

13,524

% Change

+1.8%

+3.3%

-1.2%

June to December 1992 (attendance fee increased from Singapore $5 to $28 for emergencies and $32 for non-emergencies). Additional itemized fees for services (up to $5) and prescription (up to $4)

Before increase (1991)

43,075

26,276

16,799

After increase (1993)

39,928

27,151

12,772

% Change

-7.3%

+3.3%

-23.9%

1 October 1997 (single fee of Singapore $70)

Before increase (Jul to Sep 1997)

45,740

37,460

8,280

After increase (Oct to Dec 1997)

40,325

32,759

7,566

% Change

-11.8%

-12.5%

-8.6%