Home Protection Scheme Coverage for Persons with Disabilities
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the Home Protection Scheme (HPS) coverage for persons with disabilities and the criteria for application rejections as raised by Mr Ong Hua Han. Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng stated that eligibility is individually assessed based on health risk profiles to ensure scheme viability and premium affordability. He noted that while persons with disabilities who are generally in good health are covered, 1.2% of applications were rejected in the last three years. These rejections typically involve serious pre-existing medical conditions currently being treated, such as cancer, stroke, and kidney failure. The assessment considers the severity and prognosis of conditions to determine if an individual meets the good health requirement for coverage.
Transcript
54 Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Manpower (a) whether there are persons with disabilities who are covered under the Home Protection Scheme (HPS) currently; and (b) whether the Central Provident Fund Board will consider extending HPS to cover all persons with disabilities holding employment at the time of application to ensure that their homes are protected in the event of future total permanent loss of physical functions.
55 Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the current number of rejected applications for Home Protection Scheme (HPS) coverage due to applicants not meeting the good health requirement; and (b) what pre-existing medical conditions have been deemed serious such that HPS coverage will not be offered.
Dr Tan See Leng: In line with industry practice, eligibility for the Home Protection Scheme (HPS) coverage is individually assessed based on the overall severity, prognosis and control of the medical condition as well as the individual's health risk profile. This approach ensures the affordability of premiums for the majority of members and the viability of the scheme.
HPS currently already provides coverage for members with pre-existing health conditions, including persons with disabilities, after being assessed to be generally in good health.
In the last three years, about 1.2% of HPS applications were not approved due to serious pre-existing medical conditions. Generally, members who are currently receiving treatment for serious medical conditions, such as cancer, stroke and kidney failure, are not eligible for HPS.