Full healthcare subsidy for S'poreans earning < S$3,200

kramnave SG

SINGAPORE: A majority of Singaporeans will get a full subsidy if they choose a Class B2 or C ward when hospitalised.

That's because those earning S$3,200 and below a month will now be eligible for it.

Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan unveiled the benchmark for means-testing in Parliament on Monday, after months of public feedback on the issue.

Means testing will kick in next January.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has made good its promise that it will "err on the side of generosity" when it comes to deciding how much subsidy patients get.

Mr Khaw said: "I have assured Singaporeans that we will take a practical approach to means-testing. We will be flexible at the margins to help those who may appear to be of high-income but who have exceptional financial liabilities. We have decided to set the criteria more loosely so as to mitigate the impact on those who may be affected."

So patients earning S$3,200 and below will get the full 80 per cent subsidy if they opt for a Class C ward and a 65 per cent subsidy for a Class B2 ward.

Higher income earners will get subsidies on a sliding scale of one percentage point, depending on their income range.

This is capped at 65 per cent for Class C wards and 50 per cent for Class B2 wards for those earning more than S$5,200.

Economically inactive patients will also receive full subsidies unless they live in a property with an Annual Value exceeding S$11,000.

As for Permanent Residents, their subsidies will be 10 percentage points lower than Singaporeans of equivalent income level.

But the Health Minister hopes patients will subscribe to MediShield to help themselves further with the payment of their hospital bills.

He said: "Those who earn more, say S$3,000 or S$4,000 per month, should top up a rider which would enable them to use the higher ward classes. If they do so, then they will not need to use Class B2 or C and compete with low-income patients for such resources."

MOH is working out the implementation details and has assured that it will be automated and hassle-free.

As for those who feel the simplified approach has treated them unfairly, a thorough means-test will be conducted upon their appeal and will be based on the approach that is currently used by nursing homes."

And there was more good news.

From 1 April 2008, Medisave can be used for the outpatient treatment of two more chronic diseases - asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD.

The withdrawals will be capped at S$300 per Medisave account per year. The existing deductible of S$30 and co-payment of 15 per cent will apply.

This brings to six the total number of chronic diseases under this scheme.

The other four chronic diseases are diabetes, hypertension, lipid disorders and stroke.

Some 180,000 Singaporeans are expected to benefit from the move.

Mr Khaw also revealed that the 19 per cent increase in healthcare budget will be used for greater investment in infrastructure development and boosting healthcare manpower.

Over the next five years, 40 per cent more doctors, nurses, pharmacists and healthcare professionals will be added through active recruitment and new scholarships for allied healthcare professionals.

For example, a new scholarship to sponsor Nanyang Polytechnic graduates for a one-year degree courses will be given out. S$1.9 billion will be allocated for this manpower recruitment.

Step-down care facilities, as well as existing hospitals will also be upgraded.

And from April 2008, the Integrated Care Services will be upgraded into an Agency for Integrated Care.

Starting with Changi General Hospital and National University Hospital, this will equip public hospitals with resources including additional care coordinators.

This is expected to cost the government S$20 million over four years.

These coordinators will help ensure that patients who are fit for discharge but who have multiple complex care needs are transferred to appropriate step-down care providers.

But Mr Khaw also reiterated his belief that everyone has to chip in to keep healthcare costs in check.

Mr Khaw said: “I will do my part to ensure that Singaporeans will continue to enjoy healthcare that is among the best anywhere in the world. But higher spending often does not guarantee better health.

Indeed, as noted by Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, it is the basics that we must continue to focus on which will bring about healthcare improvement: prevention and better management of chronic diseases.

“For this I need the full co-operation from all Singaporeans: don't smoke, keep clean, don't spread bugs, don't overeat and keep active."

The Health Minister was responding to MPs who asked about the government plans to meet future healthcare needs. -CNA/vm

maurizio13 SG

Hurray!!!

Another new scheme to syphon more money out from the middle class.

fishbuff SG

that is good news

maurizio13 SG

Most private apartments the annual value will be above $11,000.

The middle class got short changed here.

$3,200 is like the lower end of the middle class, with inflation these days $3,200 is small money.

Means testing is the government new strategy of robbing Peter to give Paul.

Rob from the not so rich and give it to the poor, instead of robbing from the filthy rich to give to the poor.

BrUtUs SG

Hurray!!!

Another new scheme to syphon more money out from the middle class.

TCH05 SG

Most private apartments the annual value will be above $11,000.

The middle class got short changed here.

$3,200 is like the lower end of the middle class, with inflation these days $3,200 is small money.

Means testing is the government new strategy of robbing Peter to give Paul.

Rob from the not so rich and give it to the poor, instead of robbing from the filthy rich to give to the poor.

I believe 80% of the Singapore population still live in HDB flats.

maurizio13 SG

I believe 80% of the Singapore population still live in HDB flats.

You also believe that all of these 80% of HDB dwellers make less than $3,200 a month?

EarlNeo SG

You also believe that all of these 80% of HDB dwellers make less than $3,200 a month?

to get a HDB flat, the combine household salary must be under 8K. so yes, most ppl in HDB dwellers do make less then $3.2k each. If husband and wife both work, that is $6.4k for a combine household which would include almost 80% of all those living in the HDB.

Good thing out of this is that, those old retirees are now looked after. At least that left over 20% bill are more affortable by their family compare to the 100%. Dun forgets, the one paying need not be earning less then $3.2k in order for their old men to get this 80% discount. So does this mean that even a retired wealthy one also get the discount if he dun really have any income?

eagle SG

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has made good its promise that it will "err on the side of generosity" when it comes to deciding how much subsidy patients get.

The above statement... Really can

TCH05 SG

So does this mean that even a retired wealthy one also get the discount if he dun really have any income?

That is only true if he/she is not living in a private apartment, and choose to stay in class C and B2 wards.

I believe more retired wealthy millionaire will choose to seek treatment in private hospital, but like in any society, there will always be bad apples.

holygoh SG

the devil is in the details. i'll believe it when i get full subsidy. and full subsidy in my mind is i dont have to pay a single cent when i see a goverment doctor. other than that the news is just another propaganda

mancha SG

subsidy noun (Pl. subsidies) 1. a sum of money given, eg. by a government to an industry, to help with running costs or to keep product prices low. 2. finincial aid of this kind.

subsidize or subsidise verb 1. to provide or support with a subsidy. 2. to pay a proportion of the cost of (a thing supplied) in order to reduce the price paid by the customer. 3. loosely to pay the expenses of.. [related to SUBSIDE]

TIMES-CHAMBERS COMBINED DICTIONARY THESAURUS 2001

淋雨 SG

really, in the news were ppl gets subsidies.......but did anyone really ask where the wool will come from

Frogleg888 SG

Yes,class C ward do get subsidy.But by claiming that govt subsidise 70% or 80%,how did they come out this amount? For example,the class C room charge/per day at NUH is $27.(after subsidy).But from the hospital bill itself,the charge for class C bed Before Govt subsidy is $155.Is it logical? From the above rate,they tell us class C ward gets 80% subsidy.

lotus999 SG

wasn't it revealed at one time that the fees charged by gahmen hospitals were even higher than those charged by private hospitals? so what kind of subsidies is the minister talking about, "market subsidies" again?

maurizio13 SG

posted the other day, stupid server didn't capture it. Grrrrr......

mancha SG

From your info: $155.00 x 80% = $124.00. Therefore Class C room charges after subsidy should be $31.00 and not $27.00. Is that what you mean?

baby hunter SG

Class C room charge/day is $155 per person?

was it wif others total charger or jus a room charge?

a room wif.....jus a bed & to squeen wif....10, 20 ppl cost $155 a day? even more ex then a 4 star hotel room

I wonder how they determine the rate...or in the 1st plc, is the rate sound logic or not...

alwaysdisturbed SG

20 million over 4 years. 5 million a year? so little?

Frogleg888 SG

We are here talking about health subsidy,my question is,how did they came out the (before subsidy) amount? Class C ward is basically a room shared with 8 beds/or 7 beds,with no air-con,no tv.The rate $155 is just the bed charge /or they call it room charge.The above is without treatment fee,doctor fee,medications,investigations fee etc etc.