BED CHARGES

$72,739

Bed charges at Gleneagles came up to $97,000. Similar stay at restructured hospital for C class patient would cost $24,261

DOCTORS' FEES

$167,000

No doctors' fees for B2 and C class patients in restructured hospitals

GST

$34,888

GST is absorbed for B2 and C class patients in restructured hospitals

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From these three items alone, the family could have saved over $270,000 if they had managed to transfer Madam Wong to a restructured hospital as a C class patient.

There would also be other savings for other treatments as C class patients enjoy between 65and 80 per cent subsidy.

For B2 class, the subsidy would be between 50per cent and 65 per cent

This story was first published in The New Paper on Sept 1, 2008.