Top Three Reasons for Continuing Increase in MediFund Utilisation

Prof Fatimah Lateef asked the Minister for Health what are the top three reasons for the continuing increase in MediFund utilisation apart from an ageing population.

MediFund utilisation has increased over the last decade to $150 million in financial year (FY) 2017. The increase was higher in the earlier years. Since FY2016, the figure has been more stable, following the introduction of MediShield Life and the Pioneer Generation package, both of which extended more healthcare financing support.

There are a few reasons for the increase in MediFund utilisation over the past decade.

First, we have been helping more Singaporeans, as we expanded our public healthcare capacity to serve more patients. Over the last decade, the number of MediFund applications increased by close to 10% annually, on average.

Second, we have expanded the scope of coverage of MediFund to cover more services and conditions. For example, MediFund was extended to cover non-residential intermediate and long-term care services in 2012, and to polyclinics, dental services, antenatal and delivery services in 2013.

Third, we have been providing greater support to those with greater healthcare needs. For example, we have enhanced the scheme through the introduction of MediFund Silver in 2007 and MediFund Junior in 2013 to better target support for young and elderly Singaporeans respectively.

We will continue to monitor the MediFund utilisation to ensure that it is sustainable and no Singaporean is denied appropriate healthcare due to an inability to pay.