Reasons for not extending MediSave usage to Health Screenings and other Preventative Health Procedures

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1082
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 4 APRIL 2022

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim
MP for Sengkang GRC

Question No. 2710

To ask the Minister for Health what are the considerations that currently inhibit the extension of the usage of MediSave for (i) comprehensive health screenings and (ii) other preventative health procedures such as vaccinations that are not under the National Adult Immunisation Schedule or smoking cessation programmes.

Written Answer

MediSave is currently only extended to nationally recommended vaccinations and screenings which are already heavily subsidised or provided free, because they have been reviewed to be safe, cost-effective and appropriate for population-level screening for the selected groups, based on robust scientific evidence. This safeguards the use of MediSave and ensure that Singaporeans have sufficient savings for basic healthcare needs, especially in old age, and to keep MediSave contribution rates reasonable for all. For smoking cessation, individuals seeking support can enrol in the Health Promotion Board’s “I Quit Programme”, which is free of charge. We will continue to ensure the affordability of appropriate preventive care.