Inappropriate MediShield Life claims: Doc's suspension reduced

Surgical oncologist Melissa Teo, who was suspended for six months from MediShield Life and MediSave accreditation in August, has had her suspension cut by two months. She was suspended for making "severe non-compliance" claims against MediSave or MediShield Life, including Integrated Shield Plans.

- Judith Tan

The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced the reduced suspension on Oct 28, saying it had considered her belated representations received on Sept 6 and accepted that she could have misunderstood certain guidelines.

It, however, "remains of the view that a suspension of Dr Teo and her two clinics is necessary and appropriate in view of her inappropriate coding practices".

Dr Teo's reduced duration of suspension will be implemented after she completes mandatory training to familiarise herself with MOH claim submission requirements and passes a proficiency test.

MOH announced on Aug 5 that it had taken enforcement action against six doctors, including Dr Teo, for making inappropriate MediShield Life claims.

That was the first time it had done so since the Escalation and Enforcement Framework, which gives the ministry more teeth to act against errant doctors, was put in place on April 1, 2023.

MOH took action against Dr Teo over severe non-compliance detected in a MediShield Life claim submitted on July 14, 2023, for a surgical procedure she had done.