REVIEW OF COVERAGE FOR OUTPATIENT CANCER DRUG TREATMENTS
The MediShield Life Council has recommended changes to MediShield Life’s coverage for outpatient cancer drug treatments to ensure that Singaporeans can continue to access good and affordable cancer drug treatments, while keeping premiums sustainable for current and future generations.
On 17 Aug 2021, the Government announced that it accepted the recommendations. In addition, the Government will subsidise more cancer drug treatments and extend Medication Assistance Fund subsidies to more Singaporeans. MediSave coverage for outpatient cancer drug treatments and outpatient cancer scans will be adjusted in tandem. These changes will be implemented in Sep 2022.
Read the full recommendations by visiting this link and press release by visiting this link. The list of outpatient cancer drug treatments that are claimable under MediShield Life and MediSave can be found by using this link.
MEDISHIELD LIFE 2020 REVIEW
The MediShield Life 2020 Review is the first major review of the MediShield Life scheme since its launch in 2015. The MediShield Life Council has recommended changes to MediShield Life benefits and premiums to ensure that the scheme remains sustainable and relevant to the needs of Singaporeans.
On 21 Dec 2020, the Government announced that it accepted all the recommendations of the MediShield Life Council and that it will provide about $2.2 billion for premium subsidies and support over the next three years, including a one-off COVID-19 subsidy for all Singapore Citizens for two years. Premium payment will be deferred until end Dec 2021 for those who have insufficient MediSave balances and are unable to pay their premiums due to the economic impact from COVID-19. The annual MediSave top-ups for Pioneer Generation seniors will also be enhanced from 2021.
Read the full report for the MediShield Life 2020 Review by using this link.
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MediShield Life Review Committee
At the 2013 National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that MOH would enhance MediShield to become MediShield Life, to cover all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. MediShield Life will provide better coverage for large bills, and extend protection to all Singaporeans, including the very old and the uninsured with pre-existing illnesses.
As the enhancements would affect all Singaporeans, MOH appointed a MediShield Life Review Committee in Nov 2013 to review the parameters for MediShield Life and lead the public consultation exercise. Led by Mr Bobby Chin, a member of the Council of Presidential Advisers of Singapore and a Fellow Chartered Accountant of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants, the Review Committee conducted 36 focus group discussions, as well as townhall sessions and a webchat over a six-month period.
In all, over 1,200 Singaporeans participated in the engagement activities, with another 500 contributing ideas and feedback via email.
This extensive consultation gave the Review Committee valuable insights into what Singaporeans wished to see in the new MediShield Life, and the eventual recommendations reflected the Committee’s considered assessment of the feedback received. One such recommendation was that MediShield Life should focus on providing basic protection for Singaporeans for large medical bills in subsidised wards. The Review Committee also recommended that coverage under MediShield Life be significantly enhanced, with higher claim limits and lower co-insurance rates. This would provide Singaporeans with greater assurance and protection against large Class B2/C hospital bills, as MediShield Life would pay more, and patients would pay less.
On 27 Jun 2014, the Government announced that it accepted all the recommendations of the MediShield Life Review Committee on the design of the MediShield Life scheme. The Government also announced that it would provide close to $4 billion in subsidies and other forms of financial support over a five year period, to help Singaporeans with their premiums.
Find out about the key recommendations of the MediShield Life Review Committee by using this link (in four languages).
Read the full report of the Committee by using this link.