Debated in Parliament on 13 Apr 2015.
Mr Chen Show Mao asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the cumulative number of people who have received payments under ElderShield300, ElderShield400 and the Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE) respectively; (b) what is the cumulative number of ElderShield300, ElderShield400 and IDAPE recipients who were deceased before the end of their respective payout periods; and (c) what is the cumulative number of ElderShield300, ElderShield400 and IDAPE recipients who remained in need of assistance beyond their respective payout periods.
ElderShield is an insurance scheme which provides basic protection against the costs of long-term care arising from severe old-age disability. It helps patients who are unable to perform at least three out of six Activities of Daily Living2 cope with the co-payment for the cost of long-term care, after Government subsidy.
The current scheme, ElderShield400, pays out $400 per month for a maximum of six years, while those who were enrolled in ElderShield before September 2007 and had not opted to upgrade would be on the older ElderShield300, with a $300 monthly payout for a maximum of five years. For those who were unable to join ElderShield when it was launched in 20023, they would be covered under a Government assistance scheme, IDAPE, if they meet the income criteria.
Since 2002, 9,200 claimants have received payouts under ElderShield300, 1,700 claimants have received payouts under ElderShield400 and 14,400 have received IDAPE payouts. Claims are expected to grow significantly in the future, as the population ages.
The payout period is sufficient to cover most ElderShield and IDAPE claims, with about 70% of all claimants fully covered until they pass away.
Those who live beyond their ElderShield and IDAPE payout periods may continue to receive Government subsidies for long-term care, if they are eligible. Subsidies for nursing home care, home care and community care services were enhanced in 2012 and the qualifying income raised to benefit middle-income households. In 2014, the Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance Scheme was introduced to provide an additional help of $1,200 per year to Pioneers who are moderately or severely disabled. As part of MOH’s efforts to improve affordability of long-term care, we will also be reviewing ElderShield and other long-term care financing schemes.
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PAPERCUTS