5th Nov 2019
Mr Saktiandi Supaat
MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC
Question No. 3289
To ask the Minister for Health (a) how many eligible CPF members used up the annual limit of the Flexi-Medisave scheme in the past year; and (b) whether this limit can be reviewed and increased in light of the older members who require frequent outpatient treatments.
Answer
1 The Flexi-MediSave scheme allows Singaporeans aged 60 and above to withdraw up to $200 of MediSave each year to pay for their outpatient medical treatments at public sector Specialist Outpatient Clinics, Polyclinics, and General Practitioner clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS). Around 136,000, or 16% of eligible Singaporeans fully utilised their Flexi-MediSave limit in 2018.
2 MOH regularly reviews our healthcare financing schemes, including Flexi-Medisave. Last year, MOH lowered the minimum age criteria for Flexi-MediSave from 65 to 60. The annual MediSave withdrawal limit for outpatient vaccinations, health screenings and chronic disease management was raised from $400 to $500. This year, MOH enhanced the CHAS scheme, including introducing a new CHAS green tier to cover all Singaporeans with selected chronic conditions, regardless of income. We also introduced the Merdeka Generation (MG) package which provides additional subsidies for MG seniors’ outpatient treatments at CHAS clinics, polyclinics and public specialist outpatient clinics.
3 MOH will continue to conduct regular reviews of our healthcare financing schemes to ensure affordability and sustainability.