MediShield Life remains focused on basic and affordable coverage

MOH's Reply

TODAY, 14 April 2016

MediShield Life remains focused on basic and affordable coverage

Quek Soo Beng suggested that the Standard Integrated Shield Plan (Standard IP) be incorporated as a part of MediShield Life (TODAY, 5 Apr 2016, “Why wasn’t Class B1 plan incorporated directly under MediShield Life?”).
 
The Government’s focus is to provide basic and affordable health insurance coverage for all Singaporeans through MediShield Life, regardless of their health condition. Therefore, MediShield Life is designed to provide sufficient coverage for subsidised Class B2/C wards. For those who wish to enjoy higher than basic coverage, Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) are available as an option. As IPs provide additional coverage on top of MediShield Life, premiums will be higher.

If MediShield Life is extended to Class B1 wards, premiums for all will increase due to the higher coverage. It is in this vein that Class B1, A and private hospital coverage remain optional and not part of MediShield Life.

Nonetheless, patients staying in B1 and A ward classes in public hospitals and private hospitals will still be able to claim from MediShield Life. They will get the same level of benefits, pegged to the estimated Class B2 or C expenses.

MOH will continue to review MediShield Life and IPs, to ensure that they remain relevant to Singaporeans with different needs. As our population ages, we must also focus on promoting healthy living and active ageing; transforming our care models; and improving productivity to keep our healthcare system sustainable and affordable for all Singaporeans.  

Ms Lim Bee Khim
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health

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Forum Letter

TODAY, 5 April 2016

Why wasn’t Class B1 plan incorporated directly under MediShield Life?

Nearly two in three Singaporeans have private Integrated Shield Plans to cover hospitalisation in Class B1 wards or higher. This should have provided a critical mass for incorporating Class B1 plans directly under MediShield Life.

Instead, this has been channelled to private insurers, who will have a business opportunity from next month to sell standard insurance for Class B1 hospital stays (“Insurers to offer new integrated shield plan from May 1”; March 16).

I wonder why the more cost-effective option for the insured public was not considered or taken up as I had suggested in the letter “MediShield Life should include B1 hospitalisation coverage directly” (July 24, 2014).

Quek Soo Beng