Press Releases
Bringing Affordable Primary Care Closer To Needy Elderly
28 February 2002
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28 Feb 2002
From 1 Mar 2002, the Ministry of Health will expand the Primary Care Partnership Scheme (PCPS) to provide subsidized dental care to low-income elderly Singaporeans. At the same time, the scheme, which currently covers needy elderly in nine pilot areas, will be extended nationwide. Through these initiatives, the Ministry aims to bring affordable healthcare closer to low-income elderly Singaporeans.
PCPS to Include Subsidised Dental Care
The PCPS was launched in Oct 2000 to provide subsidised medical care to low-income elderly Singaporeans. Under the scheme, the cluster polyclinics sign service contracts with private general practitioners (GPs) to engage them to provide common outpatient medical services for simple medical conditions to needy elderly (see Annex A). The patients need only pay polyclinic charges (see Annex B) while the Ministry provides a subsidy to the participating GPs for every needy elderly they treat.
With effect from 1 Mar 2002, the PCPS will be expanded to provide subsidised dental care to low-income elderly Singaporeans. The list of common dental services and patient charges under the scheme is attached at Annex C. As in the case of PCPS (Medical), patients need only pay polyclinic charges for the dental services.
The initiative aims to make subsidized dental services more easily accessible to needy elderly. So far, the cluster polyclinics have signed service contracts with 100 private dentists (see Annex D). We expect more to sign up over the next few weeks . This approach compares favourably to the current situation when subsidised community dental services are available in only 10 polyclinics.
Extending PCPS Nationwide
On 1 Mar 2002, the Ministry will also extend the PCPS nationwide to benefit more needy elderly. The number of private GPs who provide subsidised medical care under the scheme will increase significantly to 420 (see Annex E-Table 1 and Annex E-Table 2). Currently, the PCPS involves 90 GPs and is available only in nine pilot areas, namely, Kreta Ayer, Jalan Besar, Simei, Bukit Panjang, Kampong Glam, Ayer Rajah, Serangoon, Sengkang and Pasir Ris.
With these enhancements, the PCPS is expected to cost the Government $8 million a year, $2 million in government subsidy to private GPs and $6 million in government subsidy to private dentists.
Community Medical Benefit Card
The PCPS will benefit Singaporeans aged 65 years and above with per capita household income of $700 and below . Community Development Councils (CDCs) will help to encourage the needy elderly in their districts to apply for the Community Medical Benefits Card. The CDCs will issue a Card to each needy elderly who is eligible for the scheme after assessing their applications. The Card can be used for both subsidised medical and dental services at participating PCPS clinics. Eligible elderly who have yet to sign up for the scheme can collect the application form from the CDCs and Community Centres/Clubs. There is no need for those who already have a Community Medical Benefit Card to re-apply.
Conclusion
Mr Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Health says the enhancements to the PCPS represent another milestone in the Ministry's effort to make subsidized healthcare more accessible to needy elderly Singaporeans. With one Community Medical Benefit Card, needy elderly can now obtain subsidised medical and dental services at any participating GP and/or dental clinics near their homes, instead of travelling to a polyclinic.