Using Medisave for preventive care

4 FEB 2013

Question No. 1004

Name of Person: Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar

Question

To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider allowing Singapore citizens to use their Medisave funds for preventive healthcare such as regular medical checks, outpatient treatments at approved general practitioner clinics, traditional Chinese medicine clinics, polyclinics, or restructured hospitals.

Answer

1 Medisave is designed primarily to help patients pay for hospitalisation expenses and expensive outpatient treatments such as chemotherapy and dialysis. Over the years, we have gradually expanded Medisave use to include outpatient treatments for chronic diseases at polyclinics, GPs or the Specialist Outpatient Clinics, as well as selected vaccinations such as Hepatitis B and pneumococcal vaccinations and screening such as colonoscopy and mammography, to make these more affordable. Patients can use up to $400 per Medisave account to pay for these every year.

2 Besides Medisave, MOH also provides government subsidies for outpatient visits at the polyclinics and Specialist Outpatient Clinics in the public hospitals, and at private GPs through the Community Health Assist Scheme. Screening is also kept affordable through the Integrated Screening Programme (ISP). For low-income Singaporeans, their out of pocket payment is minimal, as screening tests for high blood cholesterol and diabetes are fully subsidised.

3 Medisave currently does not cover alternative or complementary medicine, including Traditional Chinese Medicine. Any further expansion of the use of Medisave has to be considered cautiously to ensure Singaporeans have enough savings for their healthcare needs, especially after they retire. MOH will continue to regularly review the Medisave scheme to ensure its effectiveness and relevance.