More Medifund Help For Needy Patients

17 Dec 2008

1. Last year, Medifund gave out $50 million to help more needy patients. This was an increase of $10 million or 25% over 2006. 

2 The 2007 Medical Endowment Scheme Annual Report shows that the bulk of  the Medifund money was handed out by 13 restructured hospitals and institutions and 22 VWO Intermediate and Long-term Care (ILTC) facilities such  as community hospitals, nursing homes and hospices. The number of successful applications was 357,000 , an increase of 55,000 or 18% over 2006.

3. Last year also saw the introduction of Medifund Silver, to especially assist the elderly patients.  As a result, a higher number of elderly patients aged over 65 years received financial help. About a quarter of overall Medifund assistance or $12 million went to the elderly, an increase from $10 million given out in 2006. MOH expects this sum to increase to meet the growing number of elderly Singaporeans in Singapore.

4. The average Medifund and Medifund Silver assistance received per inpatient episode was $851, and the average assistance per outpatient episode was $76.  82% of all applications received full assistance i.e. Medifund and Medifund Silver helped with 100% of the outstanding subsidised bill.

5. As in previous years, the bulk of Medifund went to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), which treats and houses many mentally ill long-staying patients.  For 2007, IMH gave out $11 million.  Community hospitals, nursing homes and hospices distributed over $3 million last year.

6. Medifund and Medifund Silver, collectively known as the Medical Endowment Fund, form the safety nets for Singaporeans who are unable to afford their medical bills despite government subsidies, Medisave and MediShield. The capital sum of the Medical Endowment Fund stands at $1.6 billion, after a $200 million injection by the Government in FY08.

7. Needy patients who have problems paying their medical bills can approach the Medical Social Workers of restructured hospitals and institutions and Medifund-approved ILTC institutions for assistance.  The local Medifund committees at the approved institutions will decide on the appropriate level of assistance for the applications.  With the slowdown in the economy, MOH has advised the Medifund committees to look out for needy cases to render appropriate assistance.  MOH expects a larger Medifund disbursement this year and the next.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

18 December 2008