Medisave extended use...horsay liao!!!

[ilovesingapore]

SINGAPORE: Singapore's health ministry will extend the use of Medisave for outpatient treatment of five more chronic conditions.


The five chronic conditions are osteoarthritis (degenerative joint diseases), benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement of the prostate gland), anxiety, Parkinson's disease and nephritis/nephrosis (chronic kidney disease).Treatment of these chronic conditions can also be subsidised up to S$480 per year under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS).


This will help patients with these chronic conditions reduce their cash payment.


Chronic conditions currently covered under Medisave include diabetes mellitus, hypertension, lipid disorders, stroke, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, major depression, schizophrenia, dementia and bipolar disorder.


CHAS cardholders will also enjoy subsidies for the recommended screening tests under the Integrated Screening Programme (ISP).


They will also be able to enjoy subsidies for consultation with a general practitioner (GP) for the screening, and to review the screening test results.


The recommended screening tests under the ISP are screening for obesity, diabetes, hypertension, lipid disorders, colorectal cancer and cervical cancer.


As part of an ongoing review, the use of Medisave will also be extended for certain vaccinations and outpatient screenings, up to the prevailing withdrawal limit of S$400 per Medisave account per year.


The pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations are for high-risk groups such as the very young, elderly, persons with chronic medical conditions and those with poor immune function.


Also included are recommended neonatal screening tests for newborns.


All the changes will take effect from 1 January 2014.


Charges at specialist outpatient clinics in public hospitals will also be lowered as subsidies will be enhanced for the lower- and middle-income groups.


Details will be announced in the first quarter of 2014.


The qualifying age for CHAS at 40 years and above will be removed from 1 January 2014.


This means that all Singaporeans in lower- and middle-income households can access subsidised medical and dental care at over 800 private clinics.


The health and finance ministries will also consider how the elderly can be supported for their MediShield Life premiums through the Pioneer Generation package.


The health ministry will also review how premiums can be better spread over one's lifetime to help moderate premium increases after retirement.


The health ministry will hold a public consultation in the fourth quarter of 2013 to seek feedback on the proposed major shifts for MediShield Life.

- CNA/xq

 

[PhuaCheeBye]

Kopisai, taken your medicine today?

 

[ilovesingapore]

another example of a kind, gentle and compassionate government...

medisave can be used to cover more or your chronic diseases....thanks to our benevolent government

 

[Scrooball (clone)]

Eh hello $480 is for ONE YEAR. Enough for what?

And read the keywords carefully. The condition that can be subsidized is 'chronic' kidney disease. Means u are almost dead. Not when u are at the beginning stage.

 

[ilovesingapore]

I am sure many of us are suffering from osteoarthritis,especially of the knees. So , we can make use of our Medisave to pay for our medications.

Some I think are already confirmed Parkinsonism , Again, we can use our Medisave to pay for our drugs.
If we have chronic kidney problems and if we need renal dialysis, I think we can still use our Medisave..

So actually, we are using our own money.....The important thing is to keep healthy so that our Medisave is healthy and we can at least some cash when we reach 55. But from the way things are going, I think all the Minimum Sums will increase and I think many of us will not be able to withdraw anything at 55 years at all.

 

[winners]

It'll be a matter of time before you'll see increase Medisave contribution announcements. Trust me. Left hand gives, right hand takes back and not only that, but also doubled.

 

[ilovesingapore]

It'll be a matter of time before you'll see increase Medisave contribution announcements. Trust me. Left hand gives, right hand takes back and not only that, but also doubled.

more savings certainly...all the minimum sum will rise and rise
so less wanton spending and more savings for everyone
save and save...we can all live happily to a full ripe age
and still got money in our CPF...such a wonderful scheme indeed!