Medisave for outpatient scans

9 July 2013

Question No. 1216

Name of Person: Er Dr Lee Bee Wah

Question

To ask the Minister for Health in light of the Ministry's current review of the 3M system of healthcare (a) whether the review will consider expanding the use of Medisave for outpatient CT scans and MRI scans; and (b) whether the review will take into consideration how retirees can fully tap on the 3M system even for outpatient medical services without having to pay cash.

Answer

1.         Currently, patients can use up to $600 of Medisave per year for outpatient scans required for cancer treatment, as well as up to $400 for outpatient treatment for chronic diseases under the Chronic Disease Management Programme. Nevertheless, Singaporeans have shared with us, including through Our Singapore Conversation, that they are concerned with the costs of scans, as well as outpatient treatments. As part of our healthcare financing review, we are exploring ways to reduce the cash outlay for outpatient treatments, especially for the elderly, including greater flexibility in the use of Medisave.

2.         However, in deciding on which procedures to allow for Medisave use, we will need to strike a judicious balance between helping our people defray the out of pocket cost of outpatient treatment and preserving Medisave to help patients pay for larger hospitalisation bills.