Expanding CDMP Coverage to Include High-Burden Autoimmune or Multisystem Conditions

Mr Shawn Loh asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) what clinical, epidemiological or cost-effectiveness considerations have precluded autoimmune or multisystem conditions such as lupus, Crohn's disease and small fibre neuropathy from the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP); and (b) whether less prevalent conditions that impose high care burden on the individual and show clear benefits from early intervention can be considered for future inclusion to the CDMP.

Conditions under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) are regularly reviewed by a Clinical Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising family physicians and specialists from the public and private sectors. In assessing the inclusion of conditions onto the CDMP, the CAC consults clinical experts in various healthcare settings and considers factors, such as disease burden, suitability of primary care in managing these conditions, availability of evidence-based clinical guidelines for appropriate care of the condition and cumulative cost to the patient from long-term treatment.

Lupus, Crohn's Disease and Small Fibre Neuropathy are conditions that are less prevalent in our population compared to the conditions listed under CDMP and are primarily managed by specialists in the hospital. Their management involves complex therapies that are not routinely managed in primary care through the CDMP.

Even though these conditions are currently not on the CDMP, eligible patients already receive subsidies of up to 75% at Specialist Outpatient Clinics for their treatment and medications. Patients aged 60 years and above can also tap on Flexi-MediSave to pay for treatments and medications, up to the prevailing withdrawal limit.