Use of MediSave has been enhanced and expanded to improve healthcare affordability and support

We thank Mr Tan Keng Min for his letter (“Hoping that Medisave usage limit can be relaxed”, 10 October).

Singaporeans are able to use their MediSave savings to pay for their or their immediate family members’ treatment, up to the prevailing withdrawal limits. In this case, Mr Tan was unable to use further MediSave for his wife, as she had reached the yearly withdrawal limit for Flexi-MediSave. The MediSave withdrawal limits are sized to cater to the majority of subsidised patients, striking a balance between helping Singaporeans afford their current treatments, while ensuring they have sufficient savings for their future healthcare expenses.

We will continue to review our healthcare financing schemes to ensure they remain relevant and adequate for Singaporeans. Singaporeans who face challenges paying their healthcare bills may approach medical social workers in our public healthcare institutions to apply for financial assistance. No one will be denied access to appropriate healthcare due to an inability to pay.

Lydia Loh (Ms)

Director (Finance Policy)

Healthcare Finance Division

Ministry of Health

交流站：支付医药费有困难者可申请经济援助

谨答复《联合早报·交流站》于10月10日刊登的陈渐明读者投函《盼放宽保健储蓄使用顶限》：

我们感谢陈先生的投函。 新加坡人能够使用他们的保健储蓄，支付自己或直系亲属的医疗费用，但不得超过现行的提款顶限。以陈先生的情况而言，他无法进一步使用保健储蓄来支付妻子的医药费，因为她已经达到灵活保健储蓄计划（Flexi-Medisave）的年度提取顶限。

保健储蓄提取顶限，是为满足大多数受津贴病患的需求而制定，以在帮助新加坡人支付目前的医疗费用，和确保他们有足够的储蓄，用于未来的医疗费用之间，取得平衡。

我们会继续检讨医疗财务计划，以确保它们对新加坡人来说是切合实际和适当的。在支付医疗费用方面遇到困难的新加坡人，可以向公共医疗机构的医务社工申请经济援助。没有人会因为无力支付，而无法获得适当的医疗服务。

卫生部保健财务团财务政策司长罗婉清