Allow More Flexibility on Use of MediSave for Dental Procedures not Involving Surgeries
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns a request by Mr Christopher de Souza to allow the elderly more flexibility in using MediSave for non-surgical dental procedures such as dentures or root planning. Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that MediSave is primarily reserved for costly hospitalisations and day surgeries to ensure contribution rates remain reasonable for all Singaporeans. He noted that affordability for non-surgical dental treatments is instead maintained through subsidies at polyclinics, specialist centres, and the Community Health Assist Scheme. Minister Gan Kim Yong also highlighted that Flexi-MediSave and increased withdrawal limits for chronic conditions already provide greater flexibility for the elderly. Finally, he emphasized that MediFund and other financial assistance ensure that no Singaporean is denied access to necessary healthcare due to an inability to pay.
Transcript
16 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider allowing more flexibility for the elderly to use MediSave for dental procedures not involving surgeries such as the making of dentures or root planning to treat advanced gum disease.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: MediSave is primarily intended to help Singaporeans afford the co-payment for their more costly medical expenses after subsidies and MediShield Life, such as hospitalisations, day surgeries, and selected outpatient treatments. In recent years, we have introduced greater flexibility in MediSave use for the elderly, such as by raising the withdrawal limits for those with complex chronic conditions, and lowering the age threshold of the Flexi-MediSave scheme, allowing more elderly to benefit. However, each extension in the use of MediSave must be carefully balanced against the need to keep contribution rates reasonable for all Singaporeans.
MediSave can currently be used to pay for dental day surgical treatments, which generally incur higher out-of-pocket costs. This ensures that MediSave can be used on a targeted basis to offset the largest bills. At the same time, a range of measures are available to improve the affordability of non-surgical dental treatments. Singaporeans can benefit from subsidised dental treatments at our public healthcare institutions, including 10 polyclinics, and may be referred to the National Dental Centre Singapore and National University Centre for Oral Health Singapore for complex treatment if they require specialist care. At dental clinics which are part of the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), eligible Singaporeans may also tap on CHAS dental subsidies for selected procedures, including the making of dentures. These healthcare financing schemes work in tandem to ensure that necessary treatments are affordable to all Singaporeans.
Nevertheless, elderly patients who cannot afford their dental treatment after subsidies can approach medical social workers for MediFund and other financial assistance. No Singaporean will be denied access to necessary and appropriate healthcare because of an inability to pay.