Lifetime Out-of-Pocket Expenditure Study for Persons with Severe Permanent Disabilities and Caregivers, and Measures to Address Significant Recurring Expenses

25 Mr Victor Lye asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry has studied the out-of-pocket expenditure borne by persons with severe permanent disabilities and their caregivers over the course of their lives; (b) if so, what are the findings; and (c) if not, whether the Ministry will study measures to address significant recurring expenses for rehabilitation, nursing care, specialised transport and assistive technologies.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: This year, the Ministry of Health (MOH) significantly enhanced long-term care financing support schemes to improve care affordability. These enhancements include increased subsidies for long-term care services such as nursing homes as well as home and community care. We also increased monthly cash payouts provided by the Home Caregiving Grant and CareShield Life schemes, and expanded coverage of subsidised home healthcare items under the Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund. These help to address other expenses outside of formal care, including transport and assistive technologies.

Long-term care expenses could vary widely across ages, needs, care preferences and insurance coverage. With the enhanced support, we estimate the out-of-pocket expenses to be about $110 per month, for a person with severe disability from a low-income household, who uses a typical set of care services in the home and community setting, and is covered by CareShield Life. Persons with severe disability may also withdraw up to $200 per month from their MediSave, via the MediSave Care scheme, to further defray their out-of-pocket expenses. Finally, our safety nets, such as MediFund and ElderFund, ensure that no patient is denied appropriate care due to an inability to pay.