Easing the financial strain of chronic diseases

Receiving a diagnosis of a chronic condition such as diabetes mellitus or high cholesterol can be worrying.

For those who face high medication expenses, the physical toll on health can be compounded by the financial strain. Instead of focusing on managing their condition, some find themselves worrying about the financial burden associated with long-term medication and healthcare.

In 2022, as many as 37 per cent of Singaporeans aged between 18 and 69 were reported to have hypertension, while 8.5 per cent had diabetes mellitus. The number of elderly Singaporeans with three or more chronic diseases has also doubled between 2009 and 2017.

While most Singaporeans are sufficiently covered by the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), those with higher medication needs may require more support.

Dr Kelvin Goh, United Primary Care Network lead of Northeast Punggol Medical Centre, said that patients with chronic conditions and financial constraints often hesitate to pursue prompt medical intervention due to the cost involved. “The financial strain of seeking care can undermine their compliance to treatment such as medications and follow-up appointments,” he added.

HOW HEALTHIER SG CAN HELP

A national initiative by the Ministry of Health (MOH), Healthier SG aims to help Singaporeans take steps towards better health and quality of life. Enrollees in Healthier SG receive personalised care, including a fully subsidised Health Plan, at their preferred participating clinic. The Healthier SG Chronic Tier was implemented to improve the affordability of chronic medications and support the anchoring of care at the general practitioner (GP) setting.

An estimated 14.5 per cent of Singaporeans aged above 66 years take five or more medications concurrently, often for multiple chronic conditions or for the intensive management of a specific condition. This raises concerns about affordability, as patients with high medication needs may have bills that exceed the current CHAS annual subsidy limits.

Under the Healthier SG Chronic Tier, patients can access selected chronic medications – such as metformin for diabetes and atorvastatin for high cholesterol – at their enrolled Healthier SG GP clinics, at prices comparable to those at polyclinics. They can also receive subsidies of up to S$360 per year for other components of their care, such as consultations, lab tests and other medications. There is no change to prevailing subsidies at polyclinics.

FLEXIBILITY WHEN YOU NEED IT

Healthier SG enrollees who are CHAS, Pioneer Generation (PG) or Merdeka Generation (MG) cardholders can choose to utilise either the existing CHAS Chronic Tier or Healthier SG Chronic Tier at each visit at their enrolled Healthier SG GP clinic. This provides Healthier SG enrollees with the flexibility to adjust to changes in their medication needs.

For example, patients with multiple chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension may have high medication needs. After discussion with their doctor at a participating Healthier SG clinic, these patients can opt for the Healthier SG Chronic Tier, where they can receive enhanced subsidies for selected chronic medications.

Once a patient chooses to switch to a different subsidy framework, the remaining balance of the annual dollar subsidy will be pro-rated to account for the difference in annual limits between the CHAS Chronic Tier and the Healthier SG Chronic Tier.

Since Feb 1, 2024, patients have been able to use MediSave to cover the cost of Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) treatment at their enrolled Healthier SG GP clinic, up to the annual withdrawal limit stipulated by MediSave. This means no out-of-pocket payments will be incurred even for those who remain subsidised under CHAS.

Patients are recommended to consult with their family doctor on their suitability for switching to the Healthier SG Chronic Tier. This helps ascertain whether the Healthier SG Chronic Tier is beneficial for their specific needs.

With the comprehensive coverage offered by the Healthier SG Chronic Tier, patients managing chronic diseases can rest assured that their healthcare costs are kept affordable – so they can focus on pursuing a healthy life with confidence.

Visit the Healthier SG website to enrol in Healthier SG and benefit from the Healthier SG Chronic Tier.