Government accepts, welcomes recommendations in new MediShield Life scheme: MOH

By Nurul Azliah Aripin | Yahoo Newsroom – 

The government on Thursday accepted recommendations from the MediShield Life Review Committee (MLRC) who proposed to raise claim limits and lowering of co-insurance in the current medical insurance scheme, according to a statement by the Ministry of Health.

The MLRC on the same day introduced MediShield Life, which will better protect Singaporeans for life from large hospital bills after it is implemented end of 2015.

Here are the recommendations by the MLRC:
•    -Removing lifetime claim limit of $300,000
•    -Increasing policy year claim limit by 40 per cent from $70,000 to $100,000
•    -Increasing daily claim limits for normal wards and ICU wards by up to 55 per cent
•    -Increasing claim limits for surgical procedures by between 25 per cent and 93 per cent
•    -Increasing daily claim limits for community hospitals by 40 per cent from $250 to $350
•    -Increasing claim limits for outpatient cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments
•    -Lower co-insurance rates from the current range of 10-20 per cent to 3-10 per cent
•    -Give premium rebates earlier from age 66, instead of age 71

"The Government accepts the Committee's recommendation and will bear most of the cost of bringing in those with pre-existing conditions. In this way, the Government will help all Singaporeans, including those with pre-existing conditions and those who are currently excluded, achieve MediShield Life cover, while ensuring that premiums are kept affordable premiums for policyholders," said MOH.

MediShield Life will provide higher payouts to Singaporeans, who will in turn need to pay higher premiums.

However, the government will provide subsidies and financial assistance to cope with the premium increase.

The Ministry of Health said that premium subsidies will be given to those in the lower to middle income households. Further financial assistance will be given to those in need on top of the premium subsidies.
The government will also provide transitional subsidies to all Singaporeans – regardless of income – for four years to help cope with the increase in premiums.

Details of the subsidies will be finalised and given at a later date, together with the announcement of MLRC's final findings.
 
 

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/government-accepts--welcomes-recommendations-in-new-medishield-life-scheme--moh-151034035.html