Number of Citizens and Permanent Residents Unable to Pay MediShield Life Premiums
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the number of Singaporeans and Permanent Residents unable to pay MediShield Life premiums, the reasons for such arrears, and the total amount owed. Mr Png Eng Huat raised these queries, and Minister of State Chee Hong Tat responded that as of September 2016, approximately 51,000 residents owed $12.8 million in outstanding premiums. The Minister of State Chee Hong Tat noted that these figures include uncontactable persons and those living overseas, representing less than 1% of total members and premiums due. To support payment, the Government provides various means-tested, transition, and Pioneer Generation subsidies, alongside Additional Premium Support for low-income citizens requiring further financial assistance. The Ministry of Health continues to collaborate with the Central Provident Fund Board on outreach efforts to ensure the insurance scheme remains universal and sustainable for all.
Transcript
14 Mr Png Eng Huat asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the number of citizens and Permanent Residents who could not pay for their MediShield Life premiums since its implementation; (b) what are the main reasons; and (c) what is the total amount of premiums owed.
The Minister of State for Health (Mr Chee Hong Tat) (for the Minister for Health): Mdm Speaker, as of September 2016, around 51,000 residents have outstanding premiums due, or about 1% of total members. This includes Singaporeans living overseas and those who cannot be contacted. The total amount outstanding is $12.8 million, or less than 1% of total premiums due.
We are reaching out to remind Singaporeans and help them with their MediShield Life premiums. The Government has provided subsidies to help Singaporeans pay for their MediShield Life premiums. These include transition subsidies, means-tested subsidies for lower- and middle-income households, as well as additional subsidies for the Pioneer Generation. Low-income Singaporeans who require financial assistance can apply for Additional Premium Support.
Mdm Speaker: Mr Png, we have got one minute. So, please, keep it very short.
Mr Png Eng Huat (Hougang): Thank you, Madam. I thank the Minister of State. Just a quick question: can the Ministry share whether the trend of non-payment of MediShield Life premiums is actually going up or down?
Mr Chee Hong Tat: Mdm Speaker, I thank Mr Png for his supplementary question. As Mr Png is aware, MediShield Life started in November last year. So, this is the first year that we are administering MediShield Life. We will keep track of the numbers. Importantly, the efforts to reach out to remind and help Singaporeans pay for their premiums will be a continuous one that we will work together with the Central Provident Fund Board and other Government agencies on, and to help low-income Singaporeans who require financial assistance to also benefit from MediShield Life through Additional Premium Support. In this way, we have a good universal medical insurance scheme that is for all and for life.
1.30 pm
Mdm Speaker: Order. End of Question Time.
[Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), provided that Members had not asked for questions standing in their names to be postponed to a later Sitting day or withdrawn, written answers to questions not reached by end of Question Time are reproduced in the Appendix.]