Employers Covering Employees' Medication Costs for Outpatient Treatment

Mr Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for Manpower what is the reason for the Employment Act not mandating that medication costs for outpatient treatment be borne by employers.

The Employment Act requires employers to provide sick leave to employees after three months of service. To apply for sick leave, the employee must obtain a medical certificate by a Government doctor or a doctor appointed by the employer. To ensure the employee can do so, we, therefore, require the employer to pay for the consultation fees.

Beyond this, there is no requirement for employers to provide additional mandatory medical benefits for their employees. This is so that jobseekers in poorer health or with pre-existing illnesses would not face more hurdles in finding employment. Even so, a Ministry of Manpower survey showed that a vast majority (86%) of employers do offer outpatient benefits on a voluntary basis.

Singaporean low-wage workers who face difficulties in meeting their medication costs can access subsidised outpatient care at Government polyclinics and specialist outpatient clinics (SOCs) at public hospitals. In addition, lower- and middle-income Singaporeans on the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) can enjoy even higher subsidies at SOCs. They can also use the CHAS card to access subsidised outpatient medical and dental care at private general practitioners and dental clinics.