Extending Subsidy and Permission to Use MediSave to Patients with Polyclinic Referrals to Hospitals' Emergency Departments

9 Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health given that patients referred to Emergency Department by general practitioners (GPs) under GPFirst receive a $50 subsidy (a) why are polyclinic referrals to Emergency Department excluded from this subsidy and are unable to use MediSave when not admitted; and (b) whether the Ministry will extend these benefits to polyclinic referrals to ensure equitable access.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: The GPFirst programme anchors care with general practitioners (GPs), especially in encouraging patients to visit their GPs in the evenings for less severe ailments, instead of rushing to the emergency departments (ED). The $50 subsidy will help offset the initial GP consultation fee should the patient be referred to the ED for further treatment. On the other hand, polyclinics are not opened in the evenings and consultation fees are already heavily subsidised.

As for MediSave, it is healthcare savings for a rainy day. It is generally meant to help Singaporeans co-pay for costly hospitalisation and day surgery episodes, MediShield Life and health insurance premiums, but with some flexibilities to pay for selected outpatient bills.