ENSURING SUSTAINABLE SUPPORT FOR SENIORS' HEALTHCARE NEEDS

We refer to Mr Su Jin Kun’s letter “应提高年长者保健储蓄扣除上限” (9 Aug). We understand the concerns amongst seniors regarding out-of-pocket healthcare costs, and the desire to use more of their MediSave.

MediSave is designed to help Singaporeans save for their healthcare needs in old age. This covers a wide spectrum of needs, including larger hospital bills, MediShield Life premiums, costly outpatient treatments such as cancer treatment and dialysis, regular bills for chronic disease management and outpatient scans. These expenses tend to increase with age. So the scheme needs to be designed to cater to different needs, both in the present and the future.

To balance these different needs, there are withdrawal limits for each use. These limits are generally adequate to cover most subsidised inpatient and outpatient treatments, and we review the limits frequently.  

Today, patients with simple chronic conditions can withdraw up to $500 a year from their MediSave, whereas those with complex chronic conditions can withdraw up to $700 a year. Seniors aged 60 and above can use an additional $400 annually under Flexi-MediSave for outpatient treatments.  

From 1 January 2027, the MediSave limits for chronic and preventive care will be raised to $700 for those with simple conditions, and $1,000 for those with complex chronic conditions. These enhancements are expected to benefit more than 900,000 patients, including Mr Su. 

Patients who continue to face difficulties with their medical bills after subsidies, insurance and MediSave may also approach medical social workers at public healthcare institutions for assistance.  

Mr Justin How 

Director (Finance Policy) 

Ministry of Health

确保年长者医疗保健需求获可持续支持

谨答复《联合早报·交流站》于8月10日刊登的苏今堃读者投函《应提高年长者保健储蓄扣除上限》：

我们理解年长者对自付医疗费的担忧，以及希望能使用更多保健储蓄。

保健储蓄计划设立的初衷，是协助国人为年老时的医疗保健需求未雨绸缪。这涵盖了范围广泛的医疗开销，包括数额较大的住院费用、终身健保计划（MediShield Life）保费、昂贵的门诊治疗（如癌症治疗和洗肾），以及慢性疾病管理和门诊扫描的定期费用。这些费用往往会随着年龄增长而增加。因此，保健储蓄计划在设计上，必须兼顾现在与未来的各种不同需求。

为平衡这些不同的需求，各项用途都设有提取顶限。这些限额普遍足以覆盖大多数享有津贴的住院和门诊治疗，且我们会经常检讨这些限额。

目前，患有简单慢性疾病的患者，每年最多可从保健储蓄提取500元；患有复杂慢性疾病的患者，每年的提取顶限则为700元。60岁及以上的年长者每年还可通过灵活保健储蓄计划（Flexi-MediSave），额外使用400元支付门诊费用。

从2027年1月1日起，用于慢性疾病和预防医疗的保健储蓄提取顶限有所调高：简单慢性疾病患者的限额将提高至700元，复杂慢性疾病患者则提高至1000元。这些改善措施预计将惠及包括苏先生在内的90多万名患者。

在享有政府津贴、保险赔付并动用保健储蓄后，若仍面对支付医药费的困难，患者可向公立医疗机构的医务社工求助。

保健卫生部

保健财务团

财务政策司长

侯伟权