Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Many seniors suffer from chronic conditions which require extended care and that can be very expensive. Most outpatient treatment is not covered by MediShield Life and access to MediFund is only available to the very low income. The use of MediSave is subject to annual withdrawal caps. This can have an undesirable effect of discouraging seniors from seeking early treatment.
Can MOH allow MediSave withdrawals for the treatment of all chronic conditions, not just those under the Chronic Disease Management Programme list to ensure that no one is excluded just because they suffer from a less common chronic condition? And can MOH remove annual withdrawal limits on the use of MediSave of patients over 60 years old, who have a balance of at least $5,000 in their MediSave accounts? This can be rolled out at polyclinics, restructured hospitals and CHAS clinics where tight procedures are already in place to ensure that only medically necessary treatment is prescribed.
Ministry of Health
5 March 2021
Office of the Leader of the Opposition 