MediSave use for renal dialysis and chemotherapy

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song
MP for Aljunied GRC

Question No. 102

To ask the Minister for Health in each of the last five years, how many patients have reached (i) their monthly $450 MediSave withdrawal limit for renal dialysis outpatient treatment and (ii) their monthly $1,200 MediSave withdrawal limit for chemotherapy.

Answer

1        Singaporeans can claim up to $1,000 monthly from MediShield Life and withdraw up to $450 monthly from their own MediSave accounts for their renal dialysis treatment.  From 2015 to 2019, fewer than 1 in 5 patients reached the $450 monthly withdrawal for renal dialysis treatment.  This proportion has remained stable year on year.

2        Singaporeans can claim up to $3,000 monthly from MediShield Life and withdraw up to $1,200 monthly from MediSave for their chemotherapy treatment. From 2015 to 2019, approximately 1 in 10 patients reached the $1,200 monthly withdrawal limit for their chemotherapy treatment.  This proportion has remained stable year on year.

3        We will continue to review the MediShield Life and MediSave withdrawal limits regularly, to ensure that healthcare remains affordable for Singaporeans. Those who cannot afford their treatment after subsidies, MediShield Life and MediSave can approach the medical social workers for MediFund and other financial assistance.