MOH on dental services and Medisave for maternity packages

1) Up Medisave limit for babies

17 November 2011, Straits Times

MY WIFE is expecting our second child in July next year.

I have been searching the Internet for maternity packages and am shocked that such packages cost about 21/2 times

more in public and private hospitals compared with six years ago, when she delivered our first child.

Having one's baby delivered can cost as much as $10,000. It will be hard for the average Singaporean to pay the medical bill should they seriously wish to have children.

I am not cash-rich and I do not have much savings. While I have a substantial amount in my Central Provident Fund (CPF) Medisave account, the CPF Board limits the withdrawal for maternity expenses to a maximum of $2,850.

The Government and CPF Board should consider raising the withdrawal limits for maternity claims if the Government wishes to boost birth rates next year, which is the auspicious Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac.

Yee Seu Loong

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2) Ease pain of costly dental visits

I WELCOME the recent announcement by Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong that the Ministry of Health is encouraging private dental clinics to publish their average bill sizes for some of the more common procedures ('MOH to boost number of dentists'; last Saturday).

We are encouraged to visit the dentist at least once or twice a year, but many of us put off such regular visits because of the stiff consultation and treatment costs, and as we are not sure of the average bill size.

Thus, MOH's move will certainly be welcomed by most of us.

Another significant concern is how some of us who are working in the private sector do not enjoy any dental subsidy or reimbursement from our employers.

An average bill of about $50 to $70 per visit is not a small sum, especially for low-income earners and those who are sole breadwinners.

The ministry and the Central Provident Fund Board should allow citizens to utilise Medisave for normal consultation, treatment and medicine costs at all dental clinics, subject to a reasonable limit per year (maybe $100 per year).

With that, most of us will not hesitate to visit the dentist at least once a year for good oral hygiene.

Muhammad Dzul Azhan Haji Sahban

MOH’s Reply

Medisave withdrawal is sufficient for the vast majority of subsidised patients

In “Ease pain of costly dental visits”, (18 Nov), Mr Muhammad Dzul Azhan Haji Sahban asked if Medisave could be extended for basic dental treatment while Mr Yee Seu Loong in “Up Medisave limit for babies” (17 Nov) asked if Medisave withdrawals could be raised for obstetric services.

Mr Muhammad may wish to note that subsidised dental care is provided at our polyclinics and the National Dental Centre (NDC). In addition, under the Primary Care Partnership Scheme (PCPS), needy patients will receive basic dental services (e.g. tooth extractions, scaling, polishing) and some of the more costly procedures (e.g. crowns, bridges, dentures and root canal treatment) at dental clinics near their homes at subsidised rates. From early next year, patients aged above 40 who have a per capita monthly household income of up to $1,500 will be able to access subsidised dental care under the enhanced PCPS.

For obstetric services, the Medisave Maternity Package allows Medisave withdrawal from $2,550 for normal delivery and 3 days stay, up to $4,400 for a Caesarean delivery with 4 days’ hospital stay. This is sufficient for the vast majority of our subsidised patients.  Patients who choose private hospitals where fees may be higher, would need to be prepared to top up with other savings.

It is important that Singaporeans have sufficient Medisave for their medical expenses, especially during old age when they stop working. Hence we have to manage the extended use of Medisave carefully to prevent the premature depletion of members' funds.

Bey Mui Leng (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health