ElderShield Review Committee to Launch Series of Public Consultations

19 December 2016

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1 The ElderShield Review Committee (ESRC), chaired by Mr Chaly Mah, will launch a series of public consultation sessions from January to June 2017 to seek Singaporeans’ views and suggestions on enhancing ElderShield. The first public consultation session will be held on 11 January 2017.

2 The Committee was appointed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in October 2016 to review ElderShield and to study ways to enhance the severe disability insurance scheme.

3 ElderShield is an insurance scheme to help those with severe disabilities cope with the financial demands of their daily care. With more Singaporeans living longer, it is timely to review ElderShield to enable the scheme to meet the future needs of Singaporeans as our population ages.

4 The ESRC plans to gather views from members of the public on how ElderShield can be improved, while keeping the scheme affordable and sustainable. Possible topics include the following:

i. How to calibrate the right level of ElderShield coverage and benefits such that it complements personal and family savings, government subsidies and other financial assistance schemes to help Singaporeans prepare for their severe disability needs, especially in old age;

ii. How to ensure that premiums for ElderShield coverage remain affordable for all Singaporeans as benefits are improved ; and

iii. How the ElderShield enrolment and claims assessment processes can be improved.

5 As part of the consultation process, the ESRC will also engage stakeholders from a wide range of fields, including caregivers, long-term care service providers, healthcare professionals, insurers and financial advisors, employers, unions, community partners and grassroots leaders.

6 Mr Mah said: “ElderShield is an important component of the long-term care financing landscape, and complements personal savings, government subsidies for long-term care services and various financial assistance schemes. It allows Singaporeans to pay a small amount of premiums while working, and to receive some financial support should we become severely disabled, especially in old age. As we consider possible enhancements to ElderShield, we should also bear in mind that better coverage and benefits will come with higher premiums. We need to think about how to keep premiums affordable for all, and how we can provide more support for lower-income Singaporeans to enable them to participate in the scheme. We welcome and encourage all Singaporeans, including younger Singaporeans who are planning for the future, to actively participate in the public consultation and share your suggestions with us.”

7 Members of the public may sign up for the public consultation sessions via any of the following channels:

i. Log on to the public consultation page at www.eldershield.sg to sign up;

ii. Email us at moh_qsm@moh.gov.sg; or

iii. Call 6325 9220 to register.

Please refer to Annex Aopens in a new window [PDF, 94KB] for details of the upcoming sessions.

8. Members of the public who wish to share their suggestions separately via an online feedback form, or wish to find out more about ElderShield may also do so at www.eldershield.sg.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

19 DECEMBER 2016

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

23 NOVEMBER 2016

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

23 NOVEMBER 2016

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

23 NOVEMBER 2016

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

23 NOVEMBER 2016