74-year-old retiree says paper hospital receipts still important for elderly patients
Welcome to Stomping Ground — a space where Stompers share reflections, personal essays and social commentaries that spark conversation and insight.
A 74-year-old retiree believes physical invoices remain important for senior citizens like him for several practical reasons.
Stomper Lionel shared his perspective after another Stomper questioned why hospitals continue mailing paper receipts despite digital billing systems.
He explained that hospital bills are deducted from his pension at a later date, and having a paper invoice allows him to easily verify the payment against his pension statement without needing to log into another app to search for an electronic receipt.
"Even if paper receipts are duplicated, there should be no confusion as each receipt has a unique bill number and indicates the visit date which patients can easily verify," he said.
"Elderly patients may find it hard to read e-receipts on mobile screens and prefer a physical receipt which is bigger and has text in a larger font size.
"Saving the environment by going paperless should not infringe on the right of convenience of elderly folks who are less digitally inclined."
Lionel also pointed out not all elderly patients own mobile phones or digital devices.
"For the few who do not possess a digital device, paper receipts are necessary," he added.
In response to an earlier query, Tan Tock Seng Hospital said it is transitioning towards a more sustainable, paper-light billing approach to bring greater convenience to patients.
Bill viewing and payment will progressively shift to digital platforms such as the NHG Health app and HealthHub in the coming months, with paper billing gradually reduced through a phased, patient-centred approach.
Have your say on Stomping Ground! Write to us at stomp@sph.com.sg or WhatsApp 9384 3761.
See something interesting? Contribute your story to us.
Explore more on these topics
