Medisave for Class B2/C hospitalisation bills

18 Dec 2006, The Straits Times

Question

Name of the Person: (Mr) Cheang Sai Keong

Medisave for Class B2/C hospitalisation bills

Expedite treatment, have Medisave pay for scan (ST, 13 Dec) 

MY RELATIVE was diagnosed with lung cancer at a government hospital recently. A CT scan was done but the stage of cancer could not be determined for certain. A PET scan would give a more accurate assessment of the condition but such a scan has to be paid for in cash, not through Medisave, even though my relative is a C-class patient. I was told by the doctor that patients who could not afford the PET scan would be treated as being in the early stage of cancer and treatment would be on a trial basis, with the response being evaluated and adjustments made. I have the following questions for the Ministry of Health: Why can't a patient use Medisave to pay for the PET scan? Would not the trial treatment be more costly if the patient has to test various drugs? The 'trial' will result in a delay in the patient getting the right treatment. Shouldn't we encourage the hospital to try and ascertain the stage of the illness as soon as possible and treat it as fast as possible? 

Reply

Name of the Person: Ms Karen Tan

Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Health 

In "Expedite treatment, have Medisave pay for scan" (ST, 13 Dec), Mr Cheang Sai Keong asked why Medisave cannot be use for PET scan. 

Medisave is designed primarily for Class B2/C hospitalisation needs in old age and MOH has taken a cautious approach in extending it to cover diagnostic investigations such as MRI, CT and PET scans. We do recognise that these scans are increasingly becoming an integral part of treatment and will incorporate your feedback under the next periodic review on the use of Medisave.