Medisave for peace of mind in old age

16 Aug 2004, The Straits Times

Question

Medisave for peace of mind in old age

ST (p16) carried a note 'Medisave for screening' commented that if the Government allowed Medisave to pay for full health screening in public or private hospitals, this would save our ageing population and the Government in health care cost in the long run. The writer commented that MOH could consider allowing Singaporean above the age of 40 or 45, who have more than $25,000 in their Medisave account, to use about $200 a year for this purpose.

Reply

Reply from MOH 

We would like to thank Mr Nagarajah Sinnathurai for his suggestion, published in ST (16th Aug 04) "Medisave for screening".

The Medisave scheme is designed primarily to help individuals meet their personal or immediate family's inpatient hospitalisation expenses. With the increase in life expectancy, individuals will have to stretch their Medisave to cover more years of life. Allowing Medisave to be used for other purposes will reduce its ability to meet its primary goal - paying for hospitalisation.

Health screening tests which are considered cost-effective, such as mammography and pap smear are heavily subsidized at the polyclinics to make it affordable for lower income Singaporeans. The Ministry has also introduced the Community Health Screening Programme for the elderly to detect diabetes, hypertension and high blood cholesterol. The elderly pay up to $5 for a $20 screening package.

By setting aside their Medisave for large hospitalisation bills, especially during old age, Singaporeans can have greater peace of mind about their medical expenses.