Applications for MediFund and Grants Disbursed

23 Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister for Health (a) how many MediFund applications have been made in the past five years; (b) of these, how many have been rejected and what is the breakdown of the reasons for rejection; and (c) of the applications approved, what is the median, 20th percentile and 90th percentile quantum of MediFund grant disbursed in each case.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: About 670,000 MediFund applications were made per year in the past five years. These applications were surfaced to the MediFund committees of the public healthcare institutions after assessment by medical social workers. Less than 0.15% of the applications were not approved by the MediFund committees.

The amount of MediFund granted to each recipient varies widely, depending on the patient's bill size and copayment required, frequency of treatment and his financial circumstances. On average, in the past five years, more than 92% of MediFund applications were granted full assistance. In 2014, the average assistance provided ranged from $450 for day surgery to $1,800 for hospitalisations, $100 for outpatient treatment and $300 for care in the Intermediate and Long-term Care facilities.