Possible Gaps in MediSave Coverage for Lower- and Middle-income Retirees Who Need Sustained Outpatient Care

Ms Elysa Chen asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health beyond the recent increases to withdrawal limits for the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP), Flexi-MediSave and outpatient scans (a) whether lower- and middle-income retirees with chronic conditions outside the remit of these specific schemes face gaps in MediSave coverage for sustained outpatient care; and (b) how the Ministry monitors affordability of outpatient healthcare services for these groups.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been progressively expanding outpatient MediSave use for chronic disease management, through the coverage of Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) conditions. From 1 January 2027, MOH will further expand CDMP to include hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. The annual withdrawal limits for the MediSave Chronic and Preventive Care scheme will also be raised from $500 to $700 for patients without complex chronic conditions, and from $700 to $1,000 for patients with complex chronic conditions.

We should remember that CDMP enables patients to use MediSave to co-pay for the post-subsidy portion of their medical bills. The main support for patients is still healthcare subsidy, which is up to 70% at public Specialist Outpatient Clinics and up to 75% at polyclinics, with further support for the Pioneer and Merdeka Generation cohorts.

We will continue to regularly review our financing schemes to support patient affordability.