Pioneer, Merdeka Seniors Referred To Public Specialists By CHAS Clinics Do Get Subsidies

MOH's Reply

Pioneer, Merdeka seniors referred to public specialists by CHAS clinics do get subsidies

We thank Mr Tan Keong Boon for his letter (Healthcare cost: Help those who have lost co-pay option, Dec 10).

Pioneer Generation (PG) and Merdeka Generation (MG) seniors are eligible for subsidies when they are referred to public specialist outpatient clinics (SOCs) not only by polyclinics but also by Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) general practitioner clinics.

Subsidised patients at the SOCs can receive up to 75 per cent subsidies for outpatient care. PG and MG seniors also enjoy additional subsidies for subsidised services and medications.

PG and MG seniors who are already private patients at the public hospitals' SOCs can approach the SOC staff to apply to switch to become subsidised patients if they wish to enjoy the additional PG and MG subsidies. The quality of care provided to subsidised patients, who are assigned doctors, is no different from that for private patients.

The Ministry of Health will continue to ensure that healthcare remains affordable for Singaporeans. Patients who face financial difficulties with their medical bills even after subsidies, MediShield Life and MediSave, may approach medical social workers at the public healthcare institutions for assistance.

No Singaporean will be denied appropriate medical care due to an inability to pay.

Mr Chan Beng Seng
Group Director, Subvention
Ministry of Health

Forum Letter

The Straits Times, 10 December 2019

Healthcare cost: Help those who have lost co-pay option

One of the benefits of the Merdeka Generation package is the subsidy for outpatient healthcare. I was disappointed to learn that patients do not enjoy this subsidy if referred by a private general practitioner to a specialist in a government restructured hospital. I understand that only patients referred by polyclinics can enjoy this subsidy.

Most people who are employed can visit their company's panel of GPs, with the employer co-paying for each visit. However, they still need to follow up with the same specialists even after retirement, and without co-payment.

I understand the Pioneer Generation also suffers the same plight. Could this subsidy be extended to these generations to make healthcare more affordable?

Tan Keong Boon