IN HER letter, 'Query on low MediShield payout' (ST, Dec
, Ms Regine Oh referred
to an earlier inquiry by Ms Chew Kai Hwa about the low MediShield
payout for her mother-in-law's private hospital bill of more than
$50,000. She asked what would be MediShield Basic's coverage if the
patient had stayed in a subsidised B2/C ward instead.
For illustration purpose, we have used a sample heart bypass case.
If a heart bypass patient had stayed in a Class C ward in a
restructured hospital, his estimated total bill would be $2,366 for
10 days of hospitalisation. This is based on the average length of
stay and median bill size for heart bypass patients in Class C
wards.
After the deductible of $1,000 and co-payment of the bill by the
patient, the MediShield Basic plan would have covered almost half
of the hospital bill at $1,093. The balance of $1,273 can be fully
paid out of the patient's Medisave.
For stays in private wards or hospitals, it would be more
appropriate to consider buying suitable add-on coverage from
Medisave-approved insurance rider products. These enhanced plans
will provide additional benefits and coverage for Singaporeans who
wish to opt for Class A and B1 wards in restructured hospitals, or
private hospitalisation.
Karen Tan (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health
Straits Times, 18 Dec
