Debated in Parliament on 3 Jul 2023.
Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Health whether he can provide an update on the Ministry's efforts to enhance the portability of healthcare subsidy and financing so that Singaporeans needing care can be better supported in the community.
Making healthcare subsidy and financing portable is a multi-step process, because many services and private providers are involved. We have already taken a few important steps.
First, to support anchoring of chronic care with the general practitioners (GPs) in the community, we announced at this year's Committee of Supply that eligible Healthier SG chronic enrollees would be able to opt for the Healthier SG Chronic Tier at their enrolled Healthier SG GPs from early 2024 onwards, to access means-tested subsidies of up to 75% for selected chronic medications and at comparable prices to the polyclinics.
Second, to support care at home, MediSave will be extended to Ministry of Health (MOH)-funded home medical and home nursing providers from 1 October 2023. All providers who have made the necessary systems upgrade can start claiming MediSave for their patients from that date. We will also extend drug subsidies of at least 50% to all Singaporeans receiving long-term medical care services by MOH-funded providers from the fourth quarter of 2024. This will improve access to subsidised drugs, especially for those who are homebound.
Third, mainstream financing schemes are also being extended to more telehealth services. We have extended subsidies and MediSave for video consultations for home palliative care services since 1 July 2023 and will make permanent the extension of Community Health Assist Scheme subsidies and MediSave to video consultations for chronic disease management later this year.
Further steps will be taken in the coming months.
PAPERCUTS