SINGAPOREANS WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM MEDISHIELD

14 May 2013

Question No. 1202

Name of Person: Mr Zaqy Mohamad

Question

To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry will consider allowing citizens who do not qualify for MediShield coverage because of pre-existing health conditions to purchase commercial insurance using their Medisave or CPF Special Accounts; and (b) what is the current number of Singaporeans who are not able to benefit from MediShield due to the pre-existing health conditions and what are their age profiles.

Answer

MediShield currently covers 92% of the resident population. Over the years, my Ministry has worked with the CPF Board to introduce various auto-cover points, including when one starts work and at birth, to bring Singaporeans under MediShield protection as early as possible, before they develop pre-existing health conditions.  The number of residents who have applied but were unable to obtain MediShield coverage due to pre-existing conditions is generally very low, at less than 0.5% of residents aged 60 and below and about 1% to 2% of residents above age 60.  

The Member also asked about the use of Medisave and Special Account balances for commercial insurance plans.  Medisave may be used for private health insurance plans that comply with MOH requirements, such as plans that are integrated with MediShield and provide guaranteed renewals, regardless of conditions that develop after coverage begins.  However, Singaporeans who are unable to obtain MediShield coverage due to pre-existing health conditions will most likely be subject to similar underwriting requirements under the commercial insurance plans, and may be unable to obtain coverage, or required to pay substantial premium loadings.

The use of Medisave for approved private insurance plans is also subject to the usual withdrawal rules as there is a need to safeguard Singaporeans’ interests and ensure effective use of Medisave monies that should be preserved for future healthcare needs.  Likewise, the CPF Special Account is meant for retirement needs, and should continue to be preserved for this purpose.     

For those who do not have MediShield or private insurance coverage, heavy Government subsidies and Medisave will continue to be available to help them with their healthcare expenses.  Singaporeans who face difficulty with their healthcare bills can approach the medical social workers at our public healthcare institutions for financial assistance such as Medifund or Medifund Silver, which is a targeted assistance scheme for elderly Singaporeans.  The Government also provides Medisave top-ups to Singaporeans from time to time, to boost their Medisave savings for their future healthcare needs.     

As part of the review of healthcare financing, we are also reviewing how we can further help Singaporeans who were unable to obtain insurance coverage due to pre-existing conditions with their healthcare expenses.