Singaporeans Aged 55 and Above with Hospital Bills for Inpatient Treatment Exceeding Daily Medisave Withdrawal Limits
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Zainal Sapari’s inquiry into the number of seniors whose hospital bills exceed Medisave limits and whether these limits can be raised for the unemployed to avoid cash payments. Minister Gan Kim Yong responded that government subsidies and MediShield Life ensure affordability, noting that over 70% of subsidised ward hospitalisations for this age group require no cash. He stated that current limits are generally sufficient as more than 80% of patients pay less than $100 in cash, with appeals and Medifund available for financial hardship. Minister Gan Kim Yong added that withdrawal limits are reviewed regularly alongside subsidies and insurance coverage to ensure basic care remains affordable for all. He concluded that any adjustments must consider the long-term impact on Medisave adequacy and Central Provident Fund contribution rates.
Transcript
14 Mr Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for Health (a) in the past two years, how many Singaporeans aged 55 and above have hospital bills for inpatient treatment that exceed their daily Medisave withdrawal limits; (b) what are the common reasons for this; and (c) whether the daily Medisave withdrawal limits for unemployed elderly persons can be of a higher daily limit so as to avoid payment requiring cash.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: To ensure inpatient treatment remains affordable, means-tested Government subsidies of up to 80% are available to all Singaporeans at our public healthcare institutions. In addition, all Singaporeans are covered by MediShield Life which protects them against large bills, and they can utilise Medisave for the co-payment portion of their hospitalisation costs.
Currently, more than seven in 10 hospitalisations by Singaporeans aged 55 and above in the subsidised wards (B2 or C ward types) do not require any cash payment, and more than eight in 10 paid less than $100 in cash. This means that with subsidies and MediShield Life, the Medisave claim limits are generally sufficient to cover the large majority of patients' hospitalisation bills.
Where the patient's financial circumstances are more challenging, MOH may also consider allowing more Medisave use on appeal. Singaporeans who require additional financial assistance can also approach medical social workers at our public healthcare institutions to apply for Medifund.
We regularly review our Medisave withdrawal limits, in conjunction with subsidies and MediShield Life coverage, to ensure that good quality, basic inpatient care is affordable for all Singaporeans. Any changes to the Medisave withdrawal limits must take into account possible impact on Singaporeans' CPF contribution rates and our Medisave adequacy in the longer term.