Replies Healthcare • Keeping costs affordable is a shared responsibility

We refer to the Forum letter "Insurers' restriction of patient choice undermines trust in system" (June 19) and wish to provide context on pre-authorisation and panel doctors.

- Chan Wai Kit

To ensure a sustainable healthcare ecosystem, all parties need to play a part in making quality healthcare affordable and accessible. Insurers and patients are payers of healthcare services. Healthcare providers who recommend treatments and charges must do so responsibly to manage healthcare inflation.

The year-on-year increase in medical costs is untenable, and Integrated Shield Plan (IP) insurers will continue to be proactive in introducing measures to ensure patients continue to receive quality care while balancing the collective needs of policyholders to keep premiums affordable.