Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Implementation Dates of CareShield Life and MediSave Care
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of CareShield Life and MediSave Care as raised by Dr Chia Shi-Lu. Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong explained that pandemic-related disruptions to IT development delayed the launch of both schemes from mid-2020 to end-2020 for future cohorts. Consequently, the launch for existing cohorts born in 1979 or earlier will be deferred from mid-2021 to at least end-2021. During this delay, disabled Singaporeans can continue to utilize existing support schemes like the Home Caregiving Grant and Interim Disability Assistance Programme. Those requiring additional living cost support can also access ComCare, the Temporary Relief Fund, or the COVID-19 Support Grant.
Transcript
19 Dr Chia Shi-Lu asked the Minister for Health whether the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will affect the implementation dates of (i) CareShield Life and (ii) MediSave Care.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: CareShield Life is a new long-term care insurance scheme, and MediSave Care provides cash withdrawals for long-term care needs. Both schemes were originally planned for launch in mid-2020.
In light of various steps taken amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic, such as safe distancing precautions and the circuit breaker measures, there has been a reduced pace of development and testing work that can be undertaken by teams across our implementing agencies and vendors. This has caused a delay in the completion of IT systems needed to implement both CareShield Life and MediSave Care. As such, both schemes will be launched by end 2020.
CareShield Life will be launched first for future cohorts, who are Singaporeans born in 1980 or later. Singaporeans in these cohorts who are aged 30 to 40 years old in 2020 will be covered from end 2020, while those aged 29 or younger in 2020 will be covered when they turn 30.
The delay will also affect the launch date of CareShield Life for existing cohorts, who are Singaporeans born 1979 or earlier. This was originally planned for mid-2021. The launch date will now minimally be deferred till end 2021. MOH will review the situation and announce more details on the launch dates for future and existing cohorts when ready.
In the meantime, disabled Singaporeans and their caregivers who require assistance can continue to receive help from existing disability assistance schemes, such as the Home Caregiving Grant, Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly and ElderFund. If they require additional support for living costs, they can also tap on other schemes such as ComCare, the Temporary Relief Fund and the COVID-19 Support Grant.