MediShield Lifetime Limits

17 February 2014

Question No. 769

Name of Person: Mr Png Eng Huat, MP for Hougang 

Question

To ask the Minister for Health what is the number of Singaporeans who are no longer insurable under Medishield or Medisave-approved integrated shield plans due to exhausted benefits and claim limits upon diagnosis of major illnesses since 2000.

Answer

1        MediShield and some Medisave-approved Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) impose lifetime limits on the payable claims for each policyholder. The lifetime claim limit for MediShield is $300,000, and varies across IPs¹. Since 2000, 145² MediShield policyholders have reached the lifetime claim limits and are hence no longer insured under the scheme. Since the inception of Medisave-approved Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) in 2005, no IP policyholders have reached their respective lifetime claim limits.

2        The MediShield lifetime limit was increased in 2005 and more recently in March 2013 from $200,000 to $300,000. The enhancement was made to provide protection for higher life-time claims, due to increases in life expectancy and accumulation of claims over time. The Ministry will continue to monitor the trend in policyholders’ cumulative claims, in relation to the adequacy of the new lifetime limit. Financial assistance is also available for those who face difficulty with their medical bills at our public healthcare institutions.

3        As part of the ongoing review on MediShield Life to provide greater assurance for Singaporeans for life, the MediShield Life Review Committee is studying the parameters for MediShield Life, including reviewing the lifetime limit. The Committee is expected to present its recommendations for the Ministry’s consideration in mid-2014.

¹ From $800,000 to unlimited.
² Refers to the number of unique instances where policyholders reached the lifetime limit. It may include those who had reapplied for coverage after having reached the old lifetime limit, and subsequently reached the new lifetime limit.