Extension of MediSave to Cover More Chronic Severe Skin Conditions

Ms Tin Pei Ling
MP for MacPherson

Question No. 1294

To ask the Minister for Health whether the use of Medisave can be extended to cover more chronic severe skin conditions other than psoriasis.

Written Answer

1       Under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP), MediSave can be used to reduce the out-of-pocket costs for outpatient treatment of chronic conditions. The conditions covered are selected in consultation with a Clinical Advisory Committee comprising clinical experts. The factors considered include level of disease burden, effectiveness of early intervention, and availability of clear clinical guidelines.

2      The conditions covered under CDMP are reviewed on a periodic basis as new information and evidence emerge. In June 2018 for example, ischaemic heart disease and pre-diabetes were added to the list of CDMP-approved chronic conditions. We will continue to periodically review the list of supportable conditions, including chronic skin conditions, to meet the needs of Singaporeans, while ensuring that MediSave balances are not prematurely depleted.

3     Beyond the CDMP, other support for treatment of chronic conditions, including subsidies for different chronic skin conditions, are widely available for all Singaporeans at Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) GP clinics, polyclinics and where the condition is serious, subsidised specialist outpatient clinics. Singaporeans aged 60 and above can also tap on Flexi-MediSave to defray their out-of-pocket costs for outpatient treatments.

4     Singaporeans who still face difficulties managing their medical bills can also approach the Medical Social Workers at our public institutions for assistance.