Recourse for Children with Chronic Conditions Who Are Refused Health Insurance and Not Eligible for MediFund

Ms Irene Quay Siew Ching asked the Minister for Health with regard to children with chronic conditions who are refused health insurance and are not eligible for MediFund due to income criteria, what recourse do these children have should they come down with other chronic diseases unrelated to their existing illness and which requires financial aid.

Regardless of whether they have private health insurance, all children can benefit from Government healthcare subsidies as well as tap on MediSave and they are all covered under MediShield Life. Those who need additional financial assistance can also apply for MediFund.

Singaporean children, including those with chronic conditions, would receive subsidies of up to 75% at polyclinics and Specialist Outpatient Clinics. Those who require inpatient care can receive up to 80% subsidy at our public hospitals. Children who are Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) cardholders can enjoy up to $480 annually in subsidies for treatment of chronic conditions at participating CHAS general practitioner (GP) clinics. CHAS subsidies for managing chronic disease will soon be extended to all Singaporeans.

On top of Government subsidies, MediSave can help pay for chronic disease bills under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP). Since 2015, all Singaporean newborns receive a $4,000 MediSave Grant for Newborns. So, even newborns would have MediSave balances they can tap on. Children who do not have enough MediSave and those with higher medical bills can tap on the MediSave accounts of their parents.

MediShield Life covers all Singaporean children from birth, including those with congenital and neonatal conditions, regardless of whether they have private health insurance. Hence, parents can claim MediShield Life payouts for their children if they are hospitalised or require dialysis and chemotherapy for cancer.

MediFund provides a safety net to help those who are unable to afford their healthcare bill, even after Government subsidies, MediShield Life and MediSave. Eligibility for MediFund is determined by the individual MediFund committees of each institution, taking into account factors, such as the patient's financial background and the bill size. They have the flexibility to extend MediFund assistance to middle-income patients facing extenuating circumstances.