PLAN TO WORK WITH INSURERS TO DEVELOP INTEGRATED SHIELD PLANS COVERING HOME NURSING CARE AND OUTPATIENT REHABILITATIVE SERVICES

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1254
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 2 AUGUST 2022 

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Leon Perera
MP for Aljunied GRC

Question No. 3226 

To ask the Minister for Health whether the Government will consider working with insurers to develop Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) that cover home nursing care and types of outpatient services currently not provided for by IPs in the market, such as rehabilitative services.

Written Answer

Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) are private health insurance products on top of MediShield Life. They generally cover large hospital bills and selected costly outpatient treatments, such as kidney dialysis, chemotherapy, long-term parenteral nutrition, and pre- and post-hospitalisation treatments such as consultations, medication, tests, and some rehabilitative services.

As for nursing and rehabilitation care, ElderShield or CareShield Life are the national insurance schemes that cover long-term care needs of those who are severely disabled. For those who wish to have additional long-term care coverage, there are existing Supplements to ElderShield or CareShield Life provided by private insurers, and which provide additional monthly cash payouts. Like IPs, these Supplements are also payable by MediSave up to the annual withdrawal limits.