Pioneer Generation Benefits for Private SOC Patients

Zao Bao, 9 September 2014

MOH's Reply

Pioneer Generation Benefits for Private SOC Patients (Translated in English)

We thank Mr Ling Chien Yien (“Non-subsidised patients unable to benefit from the pioneer generation card”; 28 Aug) and Mr Lin Li Qin (“Let’s discuss about private patients who are unable to enjoy the benefits of the Pioneer Generation card”; 1 Sep) for sharing their feedback on subsidies for Pioneers who are private patients at Specialist Outpatient Clinics (SOCs).

Since 1 September 2014, Pioneers receive additional subsidies for subsidised services at the polyclinics, as well as special subsidies at Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) clinics. Pioneers who require specialist care also receive additional subsidies at the subsidised SOC if they are referred from the polyclinics or CHAS clinics.  The additional subsidies for drugs at the polyclinics and SOCs take effect from 1 Jan 2015.  The additional subsidies target help at pioneers who are using subsidised services.

For Pioneers who are currently receiving treatment at private SOCs and wish to switch to a subsidised SOC to enjoy the additional subsidies for Pioneers, they can approach the SOC staff for help.

In his letter, Mr Lin also mentioned that his wife has been coping with thyroid disease. To help keep cash payments affordable for elderly patients, a new Flexi-Medisave scheme will be introduced in the first half of 2015 where elderly patients may use up to $200 a year for their outpatient medical treatment at public sector SOCs, polyclinics and CHAS clinics. This new Flexi-Medisave scheme can be used to defray the costs for treatment of thyroid condition.

We take to heart that healthcare cost is a concern for many of our Pioneers. As our population ages, healthcare needs and expenditure will inevitably grow. The Ministry of Health is committed to keeping healthcare costs affordable, so that all Singaporeans can have peace of mind when it comes to healthcare expenses.

Lim Bee Khim

Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Health

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Zao Bao Letters (Translated in English)

1) Non-subsidised patients unable to benefit from the pioneer generation card

By Mr Ling Qing Rong, 28 August 2014

Mr Ling Qing Rong wrote that he had been categorised as a non-subsidised patient in SGH’s records after being referred by a private GP some 40 years ago, and thus requested for a conversion of status at SGH. SGH referred him to the hospital’s volunteer office, but he was told that it could not help. His last resort was Medifund, but the application came with stringent conditions that were hard to fulfill. When the Pioneer Generation Scheme was launched, Ling thought he could finally enjoy pioneer generation benefits and medical subsidies with the card. However, he was told that non-subsidised pioneer generation patient would still be required to pay the full amount for class A SOC fees. Ling called for the government to make relevant adjustments to refine the “administrative imperfection” in the policies as soon as possible, so as to allow the elderly to truly benefit from the Pioneer Generation card.    

2) Another case of a non-subsidised patient unable to benefit from the Pioneer Generation Card

By Mr Lin Li Qin, 30 August 2014

Mr Lin Li Qin shared in response to two letters, that his wife was unable to benefit from the Pioneer Generation card as she had been classified as a non-subsidised patient at the public hospital’s Specialist Outpatient Clinic (SOC). Lin’s wife had been suffering from thyroid problems since 1993, and had been referred to the SOC at NUH by a private doctor. As a result, she was classified as a non-subsidised patient and could not use Medisave to pay for her clinical and medical bills. Lin shared that his wife had first sought consultation at SGH, but as the doctor was unable to provide a diagnosis, the couple decided to seek help at a private hospital before eventually being referred to a specialist at NUH. Lin wondered if it was fair for his wife to be classified as a private patient as they had not intended to visit a private hospital in the first place. Opining that thyroid problem requires lifetime medication and yearly consultations, he wondered that it should be classified as a chronic illness so that bills can be made payable by Medisave. He urged the government to plug in these loopholes so Pioneers can truly benefit from the Pioneer Generation Package.