I refer to the article “askST: Does MediShield Life provide sufficient coverage?” (Straits Times, Jan 31).
It states that “Singaporeans or permanent residents would not have to face big hospital bills on their own again, thanks to MediShield Life.
Launched in November 2015, the national scheme ensures that everyone will enjoy health coverage, regardless of age, infirmity or ability to pay.
However, does MediShield Life provide sufficient coverage?
MediShield Life covers subsidised hospital bills, a few major outpatient treatments such as cancer, or when the person has kidney failure and requires dialysis.
If you are happy to go to a C class ward or B2 class ward, MediShield Life should be enough for you.
But it does not foot the entire bill. You need to pay an initial amount called a “deductible” as well as co-pay the rest of the bill.
In terms of lifetime coverage, there is no cap, so you can claim as much and as often as you need to.
So why would someone who is happy with subsidised care opt for a private integrated plan?
One of the reasons is if the person is a diabetic or has kidney failure.”
Some tips on healthcare in Singapore?
In this connection, if you are told that it may take longer to get a test, operation or treatment, because you are a subsidised (Class C or B2) patient – try not to opt for faster non-subsidised treatment (Class B1 or A).
Because the difference in the bills may be four to five times or more compared to subsidised treatment. And MediShield Life is designed to cover subsidised treatment (Class C and B2)
If you are told that because you are referred by a private medical practitioner or institution – and therefore are not eligible for subsidised treatment – you may like to try to go to a polyclinic to get another referral letter, to return again to the public hospital.
If you have difficulty to pay in non-subsidised treatment and want to downgrade to subsidised treatment – you may be subject to means testing to determine as to whether you are allowed to downgrade.
If you have an accident at work – even if you opt for subsidised treatment – I understand that the hospital may charge you the non-subsidised rates because they think that it is covered by work injury compensation insurance. In such situations, any shortfall or non-coverage may end up having to be paid by the patient.
Leong Sze Hian
