SINGAPORE : From next year, Singaporeans and permanent residents
can have MediShield coverage up to the age of 85, five years more
than the current limit.
This is one of several planned changes in MediShield and Medisave
announced by Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan.
Like many retirees, Abdul Aziz Hassan is concerned about rising
healthcare costs.
So the 69-year-old welcomed news that MediShield will cover him and
his wife for more years.
The extended coverage will start from January 2006, but to benefit
you must already have Medishield coverage by the age of 75.
Some 750 people whose MediShield coverage ended when they turned 80
will also be invited to rejoin the scheme.
Annual premiums will cost S$600 for those aged 81 to 83 years old
and S$705 for those aged 84 to 85.
Said Mr Khaw, "I think it's a rate that's sustainable and as low as
we could get it because in the market today, if you want to buy
those elderly products from NTUC or AIA, they all run into
thousands of dollars."
Changes are also on the cards for those who are still working and
have healthy Medisave accounts.
They will be allowed to withdraw more of their Medisave at private
hospitals, subject to a cap.
And they may be able to dip into their Medisave for certain
outpatient care.
If the changes go ahead, patients with chronic diseases would be
allowed to use some of their Medisave for treatment at specialist
outpatient clinics at hospitals or at their GP surgeries.
Said Mr Khaw, "Let's say you have diabetes and I know that over the
next few years you will need to do this and do that, then maybe
(have) some kind of package; say, okay you have diabetes so you can
claim up to so many dollars for a diabetes package."
But the health minister said more work needed to be done because
Medisave was designed for inpatient care.
He worries that if he loosens the rules too quickly, some people
may deplete their Medisave accounts, leaving nothing for
hospitalisation.
Mr Khaw said, "The potential for abuse at outpatient is a lot
higher than the potential for abuse at inpatient, because for
inpatient, beds are limited and we have strict admission policies;
whereas outpatients are walk-in." - CNA/ct