AVERAGE OUT-OF-POCKET HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURE AFTER SUBSIDIES AND INSURANCE ACROSS LOWER-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1530

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 3 NOVEMBER 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Ms Elysa Chen

MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC

Question No. 2400

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry has data on the average out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure, after subsidies and insurance, as a share of household income for the bottom 10%, bottom 20% and bottom 40% of Singaporean Citizen and Permanent Resident households across the last five available years; and (b) if so, what is it.

Answer

Based on the latest Household Expenditure Survey (HES) in 2023, the average out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare expenditure, after subsidies, insurance and MediSave, as a share of household income for the bottom 10%, 20% and 40% of resident households with employment income is 6%, 5% and 5% respectively.  The OOP figures are prior to any assistance through MediFund and/or charity. Needy patients may speak to a medical social worker at the institution where they are receiving care, to apply for MediFund assistance.