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21 January 2014
Question No.: 1604
Name of person: Mr Baey Yam Keng, MP for Tampines GRC
Question
To ask the Minister for Health how do polyclinics and Government hospitals raise the awareness of Medifund among patients.
Answer
1. Medifund is an endowment fund set up in 1993 to help needy Singaporeans who are unable to afford their medical expenses in spite of heavy subsidies, MediShield and Medisave coverage. Over the years, we have increased the annual amount of Medifund assistance to reach almost $100 mil in FY2012, and have also expanded its scope to cover more services.
2. To create greater awareness of Medifund, information on Medifund is publicised through brochures available at the hospitals, and we will also make them available at the polyclinics where Medifund was extended to recently. We also encourage patients and their families who face difficulties with their medical bills to approach the medical social workers at the public hospitals and polyclinics, or speak to healthcare professionals caring for them. Hospital and polyclinic staff may also take the initiative to approach patients to ask if they are in need of assistance, if they observe patients having difficulties making payment, especially during financial counselling.