Enhancing MediShield: Better Coverage for Singaporeans

The Ministry of Health (MOH) held a public consultation in July and August to solicit feedback on the proposed MediShield enhancements to improve coverage and make MediShield more inclusive.

2     All the proposed enhancements received strong support from the vast majority of respondents (see Table 1 in Annex A for details). MOH will thus implement all the proposed enhancements.

3     MOH will also consider the extension of coverage to congenital and neonatal conditions as part of a broader review on supporting healthcare costs for children. This will tie in with on-going deliberations on encouraging marriage and parenthood as well as the “Our Singapore Conversation” (OSC) taking place to shape a consensus on the future of Singapore. For example, Prime Minister suggested earlier that a Medisave account could be set up for newborns and the Government could consider providing a start-up amount for childhood medical expenses. These ideas, including the proposed extension to cover congenital and neonatal conditions under MediShield will be surfaced for discussion at various OSC platforms.

4     Members of public also shared many additional ideas for further improvements to the MediShield scheme, some of which will be adopted for implementation in this round of review (see Table 2 in Annex A for details). Among them, MOH will be increasing the Medisave withdrawal limits for premiums, to fully cover basic MediShield premiums at all ages. MOH will also be removing the maximum entry age of 75 to help more uninsured but healthy elderly obtain insurance coverage. Other suggestions, such as for MediShield to cover outpatient treatment will require further detailed study as it is a major shift in MediShield’s focus and could have significant impact on the premiums.

MediShield Enhancements Effective From 1 March 2013

5     In summary, MOH, in consultation with the public, will make the following enhancements and changes to MediShield from 1 March 2013:

Proposed by MOH

a. Increase the maximum coverage age to 90;

b. Extend coverage to inpatient psychiatric treatment at $100 per day up to 35 days per year;

c. Increase the policy year and lifetime limits from $50,000 to $70,000 and from $200,000 to $300,000 respectively;

d. Extend coverage to short-stay wards in Emergency Departments; and

e. Increase the Class B2/C deductibles moderately by $500 for those aged 80 and below¹.

Additional changes arising from public feedback

a. Increase the Medisave withdrawal limits for MediShield and Integrated Shield Plans premiums from $800 to $1,000 for those aged 76 to 80 and from $1,150 to $1,200 for those above age 80; and

b. Remove the MediShield maximum entry age of 75 to enable healthy uninsured elderly to obtain coverage.

Update of Premiums

6     In line with claims experience and to support the benefit enhancements, MediShield premiums will also need to be updated as shared during the public consultation. (See Annex B for the revised premiums and Medisave top-ups.)

7     To alleviate concerns over premium affordability, the Government will provide a one-off Medisave top-up of up to $400 in March 2013 as announced in Budget 2012 to help offset part of or the full premium increases for up to two years. Eligible low-income and/or elderly Singaporeans will also receive Medisave top-ups under the on-going Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) and GST Voucher Scheme to help with healthcare expenses, including MediShield premiums.

8     With the one-off Medisave top-up, younger Singaporeans aged 65 and below will see no more than an increase of $5 per month in their premiums for the next two years. The elderly will see a decrease in premiums payable, with the increase largely offset by the annual and one-off Medisave top-ups.

¹ There will be no change to the Class B2/C deductibles for those above age 80. There will also be no change to the day surgery deductible for all age groups.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

FAQs for MediShield Enhancements 2013