CareShield Life and ElderShield Claims

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2127
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 18 SEPTEMBER 2023

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Don Wee
MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC

Question No. 4914

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what measures are in place to prompt the caregivers of persons with disabilities (PWDs) covered by CareShield Life and ElderShield to apply for activation of payouts upon diagnosis or upon qualifying based on age; and (b) what checks are in place to ensure that PWDs do not fall through the cracks in the implementation of the CareShield Life and ElderShield schemes.

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2203
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 20 SEPTEMBER 2023

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Yip Hon Weng
MP for Yio Chu Kang 

Question No. 5163

To ask the Minister for Health (a) how will the Ministry enhance awareness of the CareShield Life scheme to reduce the probability of eligible beneficiaries falling through the cracks; (b) how will the Ministry help Residents’ Committees, Community Centres, Social Service Agencies, SG Enable as well as other disability-focused community touchpoints to be equipped to help eligible residents and members benefit from CareShield Life; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider implementing auto-inclusion for individuals with specific health conditions into the CareShield Life scheme.

Answer

1   MOH partners the Silver Generation Office to do extensive outreach to eligible seniors to apply for severe disability claims under CareShield Life and ElderShield. Our outreach also includes working with nursing homes, public healthcare institutions, home care providers, and disability-focused social service agencies, which may more regularly interact with persons with disabilities and their caregivers. MOH also reaches out to eligible claimants under other severe disability schemes such as MediSave Care.  

2   On the suggestion of making automatic payout disbursements to individuals based on their health conditions, this may result in payouts going to some who do not satisfy the severe disability criterion for CareShield Life and ElderShield claims. Over time, it will cause premiums to rise for all, and hence will be a matter to be considered carefully.  

3    Another reason for individuals to fall through the cracks is that we have made joining CareShield Life optional for individuals born before 1980.  This is unlike those born from 1980 who are universally included. Nevertheless, these individuals can still join CareShield Life as long as they do not have severe disability, and there are participation incentives of up to $4,000 available if they join by 31 December 2023.  MOH is also reaching out to them, to explain the benefits of CareShield Life and encourage them to enrol onto CareShield Life. We hope community organisations will also support us in this effort.