Tuesday September 11, 2012

GPs form new association to have bigger say

PETALING JAYA: Frustrated general practitioners (GPs) have registered a new association to give them a bigger say in policy-making.

The Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia (MPCAM) also seeks to unite medical doctors all over the country under one umbrella to address issues faced by GPs.

“We don't have a united voice speaking for us and we formed MPCAM for that reason. A united group of doctors can force the hand in policy-making.

“After all, we are the grassroots of the country's healthcare system,” said MPCAM president Dr Jim Loi.

Dr Loi said the group first existed as a closed discussion group on Facebook before deciding to become a registered entity with the Registrar of Societies on July 29.

“We hope to engage in talks with the Government and other decision-making bodies,” said Dr Loi.

He stressed that the group was non-partisan and was not seeking to create rivalry within the medical fraternity.

“Our association is meant to complement other existing medical associations,” he said.

Committee member Dr Low Boon Teck said one of the first issues the association would tackle was members' dissatisfaction with managed care organisations (MCO) and third-party administrators (TPA).

MCOs are organisations that have contracts with hospitals or clinics to provide healthcare services while TPAs are third-party bodies that process claims or employee benefit plans such as medical benefits for a company.

“Many of our members have faced problems with MCOs and TPAs such as non-payments as non-negotiable terms and conditions. We feel as stakeholders, we should be invited for discussions on terms and conditions that we are subjected to by MCOs and TPAs,” said Dr Low.

News

Tuesday September 11, 2012

GPs form new association to have bigger say