Great Eastern has announced that starting from June 17, they will no longer issue pre-authorisation certificates for policyholders admitted to Mount Elizabeth hospitals in Novena and Orchard. This decision is part of the insurer's efforts to manage rising healthcare costs and ensure affordability for all policyholders.

Pre-authorisation certificates are still available for other hospitals and day surgery centres, and policyholders can still receive treatment and submit claims as usual with no impact on their benefits.

Mount Elizabeth hospitals are part of IHH Healthcare Singapore, and the suspension of pre-authorisation certificates has surprised the healthcare group. Great Eastern mentioned that certain private hospitals have been charging significantly more for similar treatment, leading to this decision.

Despite this change, policyholders undergoing medical care at Mount Elizabeth hospitals will continue to have cashless access to hospital admissions. Great Eastern encourages policyholders to contact their medical care concierge for information on treatment options and costs at various hospitals.

As of now, AIA Singapore has not announced any changes to their pre-authorisation arrangements with the hospitals, and they are working closely with relevant authorities to manage healthcare cost inflation.