INCREASING MEDISAVE ADDITIONAL WITHDRAWAL LIMITS FOR PRIVATE INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR CPF MEMBERS WITH AMPLE MEDISAVE SAVINGS

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1175

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 4 JULY 2022

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Ms Joan Pereira

MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC

Question No. 1841

To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider increasing the MediSave Additional Withdrawal Limits (AWLs) for the private insurance premiums of the Integrated Shield Plan (IP) particularly for CPF members who have ample MediSave savings.

Answer

The current Additional Withdrawal Limits (AWLs) range from $300 to $900, with higher limits for older policyholders in their 70’s, whose premiums for the private insurance component could be up to four times that of the MediShield Life premiums.

We need AWLs to strike a balance between helping Singapore Residents pay for IPs, which are optional and often premium products beyond MediShield Life, and conserving MediSave savings for other healthcare needs especially in old age, as IP premiums can rise very quickly which policyholders may not expect.

Notwithstanding, MOH is constantly reviewing our healthcare financing policies, including usage of Medisave, as new data and evidence emerge.