MediShield Reform and Pensioners

21 Jun 2005, The Straits Times

Question

Name of the Person: S. Saroja (Mdm)

MediShield Reform and Pensioners

MY HUSBAND and I are retired education officers. We are both pensioners with government medical benefits. My husband is under the CPW medical scheme whereby he pays only 50 per cent of the ward charges if he is hospitalised. All other medical bills are paid by the Government. I am on the CCS medical scheme whereby I pay only 15 per cent of the total hospital bill.Hence, is it beneficial for us to take up the reformed MediShield? We have always been insured under Basic MediShield but now I wonder whether even that had been necessary for us.

Reply

Reply from MOH 

MediShield coverage for pensioners 

In "MediShield reform and pensioners" (ST, 21 June 05), Mdm Saroja asked if she and her husband should continue to be insured under MediShield. Both are government pensioners with certain medical benefits. 

Government pensioners enjoy different types of medical benefits, with different degrees of co-payment. 

Whether one should self-insure the co-payment or protect against the risk through an insurance scheme like MediShield will largely depend on the risk appetite of the pensioner. It would be advisable for the pensioner to take into account the premiums payable and the potential payouts from MediShield in making the decision.