Efforts to Improve Coverage and to Explore Alternative or Subsidy Models for Affordable Mental Healthcare Services
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Yip Hon Weng’s inquiry into improving mental healthcare insurance coverage and exploring alternative subsidy models with the private sector. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung explained that while private hospitals are not funded for subsidised care, patients receive up to 80% subsidies at public institutions. He noted that eligible cardholders can access mental health subsidies at private GP clinics under the Chronic Disease Management Programme and utilize MediSave for treatments. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung shared that over 450 general practitioners are currently trained under the Mental Health GP Partnership Programme. The Government targets providing mental health services at 1,350 Healthier SG GP clinics by 2030 to further improve community-based care and accessibility.
Transcript
21 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Health (a) how will the Government work with the insurance industry to improve coverage for mental healthcare services to ensure patients can access affordable and timely intervention; and (b) whether there are plans to explore alternative financing or subsidy models for mental health care in collaboration with the private sector.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: The answer to part (a) of the question has been addressed in the Circular for Written Answers published on 6 November 2023. [Please refer to "Mental Health Insurance Coverage", Official Report, 6 November 2023, Vol 95, Issue 115, Written Answers to Questions section.]
The Government does not fund private hospitals to deliver subsidised care for mental health, as Singaporeans can receive subsidies of up to 80% for mental health services at public hospitals and polyclinics. We will continue to expand the capacity of mental health services in the public hospitals and polyclinics.
In the primary care setting, Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation cardholders are eligible for subsidies for mental health conditions – including depression, anxiety, bipolar and schizophrenia – at selected private CHAS General Practitioner (GP) clinics, under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP). Individuals may also tap on MediSave to pay for their CDMP treatments at these GP clinics. Today, over 450 GPs in GP clinics are trained to support persons with mental health needs under the Mental Health GP Partnership Programme. We target to make mental health services available at 1,350 Healthier SG GP clinics by 2030.