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MediSave needs to ensure adequacy in old age

11 January 2019

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MOH's Reply

Lianhe Zaobao, 11 Jan 2019

MediSave needs to ensure adequacy in old age

We thank Mr Lu Yu Bin for his letter (保健储蓄用途可再放宽, 24 Dec 2018). 

MediSave helps Singaporeans set aside part of their working income regularly to lower their out-of-pocket cash payments on medical bills. Together with government healthcare subsides, MediShield Life insurance coverage and MediFund for those in financial difficulties, it helps to ensure that essential healthcare remains affordable to Singaporeans. 

The Ministry of Health (MOH) regularly reviews the coverage and limits of MediSave use. MediSave now covers 20 common chronic conditions under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP). In June 2018, MOH raised the annual MediSave withdrawal limit for chronic medical conditions, vaccinations and health screenings from $400 to $500 per year. We also lowered the age limit for Flexi-MediSave from age 65 to 60. Flexi-MediSave allows older Singaporeans to use up to $200 from their or their spouse’s MediSave accounts per year at public hospitals’ specialist outpatient clinics, polyclinics and general practitioner clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS).

On Mr Lu’s suggestion regarding MediSave use at dental clinics, we wish to clarify that MediSave can already be used for more complex dental surgeries such as dental implants and wisdom tooth surgeries. Basic dental treatment costs are kept affordable through CHAS subsidies available at CHAS Dental Clinics as well as subsidised dental fees at the polyclinic dental services. As Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments are considered complementary, it has not been included in the approved uses of MediSave.

MOH will continue to monitor and review MediSave use to ensure that healthcare remain affordable for Singaporeans. At the same time, we need to consider each expansion carefully to ensure that Singaporeans continue to be able to have sufficient MediSave for old age, when healthcare expenses are higher.

Lim Siok Peng (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications Division
Ministry of Health


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