MediSave for Overseas Emergencies

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1328

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 10 SEPTEMBER 2018

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Associate Professor Daniel Goh Pei Siong

Non-Constituency MP

Question No. 975

To ask the Minister for Health whether residency in Singapore is a requirement for the use of Medisave for emergency treatment at overseas hospitals and, if so, what are the reasons for this requirement.

Written Answer

1        MediSave is intended to help Singaporeans save for their medical expenses, especially during old age, and its design takes into account significant Government subsidies for Singaporeans.  The use of MediSave is therefore targeted at Singaporeans seeking subsidized care here.

2        Nevertheless, MOH understands that on very rare occasions, some Singaporeans may find themselves in difficult situations due to medical emergencies when travelling overseas, and require help with their medical costs incurred for such emergencies.  We do exercise flexibility to allow the use of MediSave in such situations as an exception on appeal, especially for individuals normally resident in Singapore.  We review such appeals carefully, taking into account the circumstance of each request on a case by case basis.