Medisave withdrawal limits are reviewed

17 Mar 2007, Today

Question

Name of the Person: David Soh Poh Huat (Mr)

Medisave withdrawal limits are reviewed

Elderly Group Left Out 

Currently, our medical schemes are being looked into and enhanced to provide better coverage for citizens. Sad to say, a small group of elderly citizens aged 75 and above have been left out. 

This group may have missed out in the past on MediShield schemes and now have to pay in cash for medical expenses, such as medicine, CT scans or follow-up appointments with specialists - all of which may cost $200 to $300 monthly. 

Maybe the authorities could look into allowing this group of elderly citizens, who have helped to build Singapore in the 50s and 60s, to use 100 per cent of their Medisave or their children's to pay for their bills instead of using cash. 

Reply

Reply from MOH 

In "Elderly group left out", Mr Soh asked that the group of elderly citizens, aged 75 and above, be allowed to use 100 per cent of either their own Medisave or their children's to pay for their hospitalisation bills. 

At present, patients regardless of their age can use their own or the Medisave of their immediate family members ie. spouse, child, to pay for their hospitalisation charges, subject to the usual withdrawal limits. This helps to minimise premature depletion of Medisave as well as contain over-spending. If there are no limits, the tendency is to use it for treatments they would otherwise not consume or consume less of ("buffet lunch syndrome"). It may also encourage providers asking Singaporeans to consume more treatments or unnecessary health screening tests. For the elderly, the possibilities of being hospitalised are significant as one ages and it is important to preserve some Medisave monies when they are most needed. 

We will continue to periodically review Medisave Withdrawal Limits to ensure that they are enough to cover the majority of the bills, especially those incurred at B2 and C Class wards. On 1st April last year, the daily withdrawal limit was raised from $300 to $400. Starting October last year, Medisave was also extended to cover outpatient treatments for 4 common chronic diseases - diabetes, hypertension, lipids and stroke. This would help defray the out-of-pocket cash payments for close to 1 million patients, many of whom are elderly. Later this year, Medisave will also be extended to cover MRI, CT and PET scans, if they form part of an outpatient cancer treatment. 

The Ministry will continue to monitor the use of Medisave to ensure that it plays an effective financing role in meeting the needs of all Singaporeans.