Medisave withdrawal limits

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah
MP for Nee Soon GRC

Question No. 1026

To ask the Minister for Health (a) in the past three years, how many requests for Medisave withdrawals above the capped limit have been received; (b) of these, how many have been approved; and (c) whether the Ministry will review the cap on use of Medisave in line with the rise in medical cost.

Answer

1        From 2014 to 2016, MOH received an average of about 200 appeals each year for usage of Medisave beyond the withdrawal limits.  These appeals are considered on a case-by-case basis and about half of them were approved.  Factors taken into consideration in reviewing these appeals include whether there are special circumstances such as more complex treatment than expected due to unforeseen complications, or the family facing difficulties due to exceptional circumstances like unemployment or retrenchment.

2        Medisave withdrawal limits are set to be sufficient for the vast majority of subsidised healthcare expenses, after government subsidies and MediShield Life payouts are taken into account.  In recent years, we have enhanced our subsidies for drugs and outpatient care, as well as introduced new Medisave coverage for outpatient scans, and flexible Medisave use for those aged 65 and above.  The introduction of MediShield Life in November 2015 also provided additional support for large hospital bills for all Singaporeans.  From January to June 2016, MediShield Life and Medisave together were able to cover more than 90% of the post-subsidy bill for inpatient hospitalisation and day surgeries.

3        Beyond government subsidies, MediShield Life and Medisave, low income Singaporeans who require further financial assistance can approach medical social workers at our public healthcare institutions to apply for Medifund.

4        MOH will monitor the affordability of subsidised care, and regularly review the Medisave withdrawal limits.  We will also continue to consider appeals for usage of Medisave above the withdrawal limits.