Medifund Continues To Ensure Accessible And Affordable Healthcare For All Singaporeans

MEDIFUND CONTINUES TO ENSURE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL SINGAPOREANS

           $159.3 million in Medical Endowment Fund (Medifund) assistance was provided to needy patients to assist with their medical bills in FY2014, an increase of 22.7% from the previous year’s $129.8 million. Patients aged 65 and above received $52.4 million in assistance. The number of admissions, attendances and bed months approved for Medifund and Medifund Silver assistance increased by more than 30% over the same period, from 766,000 in FY2013 to 1,006,000 in FY2014. This higher amount of assistance provided reflected the extension of Medifund and Medifund Silver to more healthcare facilities over the last few years.

2          Medifund was introduced in April 1993 to assist Singaporeans who are unable to afford their medical bills, after government subsidies and MediShield or private insurance, as well as Medisave and cash payments. The amount of Medifund assistance given is dependent on the patient and family’s circumstances. In FY2014, 92% of Medifund assisted admissions/attendances/bed months received full assistance. The average amount of Medifund assistance provided was $1,532 per inpatient treatment, and $95 per outpatient treatment.

3          Over the years, the scheme has been enhanced to ensure that those who need support continue to receive the help they need. For instance, Medifund Silver and Medifund Junior were introduced to better target assistance at the elderly and children respectively from needy families. Medifund has also been extended to cover more healthcare services, such as primary care at the polyclinics, dental services, antenatal and delivery services, over the years. More Medifund has also been provided to institutions to support more needy patients with the aging population.

4          The Government has dedicated significant capital sums to Medifund and Medifund Silver over the years, to reinforce our social safety net. As at end FY2014, the respective capital sums for Medifund and Medifund Silver stood at $2.78 billion and $1.22 billion. More details can be found in the Medical Endowment Scheme Annual Report 2014/2015 available here

5          The Ministry of Health is committed to ensure that Singaporeans have access to good and affordable healthcare.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

25 NOVEMBER 2015