Why Medisave can't be used for all screening tests

17 Mar 2011, The Straits Times

Question

Name of the Person: Authur Lim

Allow use of Medisave for more screening tests

IT IS heartening to learn of Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan's announcement ("Medisave can be used for cancer checks"; March 5). However, this is applicable to only two types of screening tests - colonoscopies, which detect colorectal cancer, and mammograms to screen for breast cancer.

Can Medisave not be extended to other types of cancer screening for a person over 50 years of age? Why restrict it to only these two?

Diagnostic screening is, in most cases, a necessity to determine the health condition of an individual. Why not extend the use of Medisave to cover all cancer screenings as well as all tests to detect heart disease?

To many people, the costs of these tests are a big burden.

Reply

Name of the Person: Julie Sim (Ms)

Deputy Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Health 

MR ARTHUR Lim suggested that we allow use of Medisave to cover all cancer screening and tests to detect heart disease ('Allow use of Medisave for more screening tests'; Monday).

There are many such tests, and their effectiveness is not uniform. The Academy of Medicine Singapore recently made a thorough study and recommended the relevant tests for most people. Readers should refer to its report.

Not all cancer screening tests and tests for heart disease are recommended.

Our Medisave policy is based on its recommendations.