PROPOSAL TO RAISE MEDISAVE WITHDRAWAL LIMIT FOR OUTPATIENT CARE TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX CHRONIC CONDITIONS FOR ONE CALENDAR YEAR

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim
MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC

Question No. 1896

To ask the Minister for Health given the increasing cost of living and other expenses, whether the Ministry will consider raising the MediSave withdrawal limit for outpatient care treatment for the period of one calendar year, especially for patients with complex chronic conditions.

Written Answer

The current MediSave withdrawal limits are adequate for the vast majority of patients with conditions under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP). In 2021, about 9 in 10 patients with complex chronic conditions who withdrew MediSave under the CDMP did not reach the annual $700 limit. Similarly,  about 9 in 10 patients with simple chronic conditions did not reach the annual $500 limit. Nevertheless, patients who face difficulties paying for their medical bills may apply for financial assistance such as MediFund at public healthcare institutions.

The Ministry of Health will continue to review our financing schemes regularly, taking into account any rise in healthcare costs, so that healthcare remains affordable for Singaporeans.