Extension of Medisave to Cover More Chronic Severe Skin Conditions
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Ms Tin Pei Ling's inquiry on extending MediSave coverage to more chronic severe skin conditions beyond psoriasis. Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong explained that the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) selects conditions based on disease burden, early intervention effectiveness, and clinical guidelines. He noted that the CDMP list is periodically reviewed and chronic skin conditions will continue to be considered while balancing MediSave sustainability. Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong also highlighted existing subsidies at CHAS clinics, polyclinics, and specialist clinics for various chronic skin treatments. Additionally, seniors may use Flexi-MediSave for outpatient costs, while those facing financial difficulties can seek assistance from Medical Social Workers.
Transcript
16 Ms Tin Pei Ling asked the Minister for Health whether the use of MediSave can be extended to cover more chronic severe skin conditions other than psoriasis.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: Under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP), MediSave can be used to reduce the out-of-pocket costs for outpatient treatment of chronic conditions. The conditions covered are selected in consultation with a Clinical Advisory Committee comprising clinical experts. The factors considered include level of disease burden, effectiveness of early intervention, and availability of clear clinical guidelines.
The conditions covered under CDMP are reviewed on a periodic basis as new information and evidence emerge. In June 2018 for example, ischaemic heart disease and pre-diabetes were added to the list of CDMP-approved chronic conditions. We will continue to periodically review the list of supportable conditions, including chronic skin conditions, to meet the needs of Singaporeans, while ensuring that MediSave balances are not prematurely depleted.
Beyond the CDMP, other support for treatment of chronic conditions, including subsidies for different chronic skin conditions, are widely available for all Singaporeans at Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) GP clinics, polyclinics and where the condition is serious, subsidised specialist outpatient clinics. Singaporeans aged 60 and above can also tap on Flexi-MediSave to defray their out-of-pocket costs for outpatient treatments.
Singaporeans who still face difficulties managing their medical bills can also approach the Medical Social Workers at our public institutions for assistance.