Basic Healthcare Sum sufficient for basic subsidised healthcare needs from age 65

We are heartened that Mr Yan Shun Cai is considering the adequacy of his MediSave for future healthcare needs.

The Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) is an estimate of the savings needed for the member’s basic subsidised healthcare expenses from age 65 onwards. The BHS for CPF members below the age of 65 is adjusted annually, taking into account the latest trends in MediSave use, policy changes and healthcare inflation.

Upon turning 65, the BHS for each cohort will be fixed for the rest of their lives. $66,000 was the BHS for the cohort which turned 65 in 2022. As Mr Yan is 53 years old this year, his BHS will only be fixed when he turns 65.

The premiums for MediShield Life and CareShield Life are fully payable by MediSave. For Integrated Shield Plans (IPs), MediSave can be used to pay for the private insurance component of IP premiums, but this is capped by annual withdrawal limits ranging from $300 to $900.

In sum, Mr Yan may have underestimated his BHS and overestimated the amount of MediSave that would be withdrawn to cover his IP premiums, as he did not take into account the withdrawal limits. We would like to reassure Mr Yan that the BHS is sufficient for basic subsidised healthcare needs from age 65, and we revise this every year to ensure it remains adequate.

It would not be appropriate to set the BHS based on IP premiums, given these are optional products that cover more than basic healthcare. As premiums could rise significantly with age, in deciding to buy or renew an IP, one should consider their  ability to pay premiums over the long-term, including the amount of cash outlay.

MediSave contributions above the BHS are transferred to the member’s CPF Special or Retirement Accounts to avoid over-savings in the MediSave account and supplement the member’s retirement payouts. The CPF Special or Retirement Accounts have interest rates equal to or higher than the MediSave Account, and payouts can be used for healthcare needs if necessary.

We thank Mr Yan for his feedback, and will continue to review our healthcare financing policies to ensure they remain relevant.

Lydia Loh (Ms)

Director (Finance Policy)

Healthcare Finance Division

Ministry of Health

基本保健存款可满足65岁起基本医疗需求

答复

谨答复《联合早报·交流站》于6月14日刊登的严顺财读者投函《保健储蓄户头存款够用吗？》：

我们很高兴严顺财先生认真思考他的保健储蓄是否能满足未来健保需求的问题。

基本保健存款（BHS）是对公积金会员从65岁起的基本受津贴医疗开支所需储蓄的估计。65岁以下公积金会员的基本保健存款数额，会根据最新的保健储蓄使用情况、政策修改以及医疗通胀等因素，每年调整。

到65岁时，那一年份的会员基本保健存款将不再调整。2022年满65岁的会员的基本保健存款数额是6万6000元，严先生今年53岁，他的基本保健存款数额会在他65岁时才固定。

终身健保和终身护保的保费可以由保健储蓄全额给付。至于私人综合健保双全计划（Integrated Shield Plan，简称IP），保健储蓄可用来支付私人保险部分保费，但年度提款顶限是300元至900元。

综合来说，严先生可能低估了他的基本保健存款，并高估了从保健储蓄提款支付IP保费的金额，因为没有考虑到那是有顶限的。我们要向严先生保证，基本保健存款足以满意65岁以后的基本受津贴医疗需求，我们也会每年检讨以确保它足够。

根据IP的保费来制定基本保健存款是不恰当的，因为那些是选择性的产品，涵盖超过基本医疗需求。民众在决定是否购买或更新IP时，应考虑长期支付保费的能力，包括现金支付的部分，因为保费会随着年龄而显著增加。

超过基本保健存款部分的保健储蓄填补金额，会转移到公积金会员的特别或退休户头，避免保健储蓄户头的过度储蓄，同时补助会员的退休入息。公积金特别或退休户头的利率，与保健储蓄户头相当或更高，所支付的入息也可用于医疗需要。

我们感谢严先生的反馈，并且会继续检讨我们的保健财务政策，确保它们保持相关性。

卫生部保健财务团财务政策司长

罗婉清