MediSave Appeals for Cancer Drug

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1898 
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 10 MAY 2023

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Ms Ng Ling Ling
MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC

Question No. 4589

To ask the Minister for Health for advanced stage-4 or terminal cancer patients who will not be able to complete their treatments with non-Cancer Drug List (CDL) drugs by 30 September 2023, whether the Ministry will consider enabling them to tap on a higher MediSave amount to alleviate their financial worries.

Answer

1        Patients who are using cancer drugs that are not on the Cancer Drug List may appeal to the Ministry of Health to use more MediSave for their treatment. 

2        Subsidised patients being treated in public healthcare institutions can also approach the medical social workers to apply for financial assistance if they are unable to afford their healthcare bills. 

3        Under the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Reduced Life Expectancy Scheme, terminally ill patients may also withdraw their CPF savings, including MediSave savings, in a lump sum, subject to retaining a minimum balance of $5,000.