Medishield-life is a betrayal of Singaporeans to foreigners who become new citizens.

[bic_cherry]

Medishield-life is a betrayal of Singaporeans to foreigners who become new citizens.

Isn't it blatant DOUBLE STANDARDS when Singaporeans have "to pay the accumulated sum of premiums not paid previously, with compound interest" i.e., any payments unpaid since 2015 (year of start of medishield-life) but New Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents don't have to pay medishield-life premiums since their birth year or 2015 (whichever later), but just since "within 1 month of attaining permanent residence" .

The reason why Singaporeans living abroad have to back pay ALL unpaid medishield-life premiums is premised upon the concept of 'pre-funding' https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/pressRoom/Media_Forums/2013/role-of-pre-funding-.html that MOH used to justify high premiums collected when a citizen is young so as to accumulate sufficient cohort linked reserves in the medishield-life fund so that premiums can be reduced for the same cohort in old age. Thus the need for previously exempt Singapore citizens "to pay the accumulated sum of premiums not paid previously, with compound interest" even though zero claims were made against medishield-life (owing to the very rigorous exemption qualifying criteria such as not being allowed to stay in Singapore for more than 140days over 5 years).

However, MOH is only too eager to give NEW citizens and foreigners a FREE LUNCH by saying:
https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/medishield-life/resources---faqs/faqs.html#7
UNIVERSAL COVERAGE FOR ALL:
Will new Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents be required to join MediShield Life?
New Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents will be required to join MediShield Life, in line with the principle of universal coverage.
- New Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents with serious pre-existing conditions may have to pay Additional Premiums upon joining MediShield Life. They will be eligible for Government subsidies for their MediShield Life premiums if they meet the eligibility criteria and will receive premium rebates in line with their age of entry.
They will be notified of their MediShield Life cover by Central Provident Fund Board when their covers have been issued, generally within 1 month of attaining permanent residence.

Thus, nothing is mentioned about new citizens having "to pay the accumulated sum of premiums not paid previously, with compound interest" i.e. blatant DOUBLE STANDARDS.

MOH is also being DISHONEST to retain the 'prefunded' portion of medishield-life of PRs who relinquish their PR status to return home.

The fact that MOH treats new citizens better than old ones and swindles PR returning home shows that the Singapore government is corrupt and is a crafty and wicked organization.

See also:
PAP gahmen is SQUANDERING tax payers $$$ and IRRESPONSIBLE with Medishield-life fund
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MediShield Life Coverage for Overseas Singaporeans
The MediShield Life Council’s Review and Recommendations
The MediShield Life Council has reviewed the issue of MediShield Life coverage for overseas Singaporeans.

The MediShield Life Council recognises that there is a small and distinct group of overseas Singaporeans who have chosen to live outside Singapore permanently, have no intention to reside in Singapore, and feel that they will not benefit from MediShield Life. The MediShield Life Council has recommended an administrative arrangement for this group of overseas Singaporeans where they can apply for suspension of MediShield Life premium collection.

The Ministry of Health has accepted the Council’s recommendations. Please click here for the press release.

Administrative Arrangement for Overseas Singaporeans who have Permanently Relocated Abroad
Overseas Singaporeans who live outside Singapore permanently with no intention to reside in Singapore can apply for and be granted the suspension of MediShield Life premium collection, if they meet the eligibility criteria. The suspension will continue for each person as long as he continues to fulfil all the criteria. Any outstanding premiums prior to the start of the Suspension Period1 must still be paid.

Cessation of the Suspension of Premium Collection
Should a successful applicant (a) choose to relocate back to Singapore or (b) no longer meet the eligibility criteria for suspension of premium collection, the arrangement will cease. He will have to pay the accumulated sum of premiums not paid previously, with compound interest2. He would not need to pay additional premiums for health conditions developed during the Suspension Period1.

Similar to all Singaporeans, Overseas Singaporeans who choose to return may be eligible for premium subsidies if they apply for subsidy assessment and provide sufficient timely documentation prior to each policy year during suspension. Besides subsidies, financial assistance may be available upon return and members may apply for assessment on a case by case basis.

Seeking MediShield Life Coverage for Treatment in Singapore
If a successful applicant seeks medical treatment in Singapore during suspension of MediShield Life premium collection (e.g. while visiting), he can choose to claim and benefit from MediShield Life payouts. Once he does so, his suspension of MediShield Life premium collection will cease and he will have to pay the full sum of the premiums not paid previously, with compound interest2.

1 The Suspension Period will start on a date specified by the Board when your application is approved and will end when the Insured’s MediShield Life Scheme cover ends or the suspension of premium collection is earlier ceased by the Board.
2 The interest rate is currently 4% per year and will be subject to applicable laws as may be amended from time to time. Interest will be imposed and computed on a compounded basis on full policy years that have passed.

Eligibility Criteria
Those who meet all of the following criteria are eligible to apply for the suspension of premium collection:
a) Singapore Citizen
b) Live outside Singapore permanently with no intention to reside in Singapore, based on the following supporting indicators:
i. Possess a valid permanent residency permit in their country of residence;
ii. Resided outside Singapore for at least five years immediately preceding the date of receipt of the application by the CPF Board, except for short visits3;
iii. Have completed their full-time National Service obligation, or are not required to serve full-time National Service; and
iv. Able to afford healthcare treatment in their country of residence, and declare that they do not need to rely on MediShield Life in Singapore.4

3 Visits to Singapore during the five years should not exceed 140 days in total.
4 Applicant should not have benefitted from MediShield or MediShield Life payouts in the five years prior to the start of the suspension of premium collection.

For more information on the detailed eligibility criteria for specific groups, e.g., for minors, please click here.

If you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to apply for the suspension of MediShield Life premium collection, please click here.

Frequently Asked Questions and Further Information
For frequently asked questions for MediShield Life coverage for overseas Singaporeans, please click here.
For further information on MediShield Life, you may:
a) Call us at 1800-222 3399 (or +65 6222 3399 if calling from overseas) from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm, Singapore time; or
b) Email us at [email protected]

https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_...life-coverage-for-overseas-singaporeans0.html