Eldershield review: Question raised on whether scheme should be compulsory
TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — The ongoing review of Eldershield, an insurance scheme launched by the Health Ministry for persons with severe disability, will look at whether the scheme should be made mandatory, and if current payouts are sufficient, given that the last review happened a decade ago.
These questions were among feedback gathered at the first focus-group discussion, chaired by the 14-member Eldershield Review Committee, on Wednesday (Jan 11) night.
Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the discussion, committee chairman Chaly Mah said that questions were raised on the duration of the insurance coverage.
Eldershield coverage is up to six years for now, with a monthly payout of up to S$400.
Mr Mah said: “We have experience of people with severe disabilities living beyond (six years).”
Another area of concern: The amount of payout. Given that there has been inflation since the last review in 2007, “there is some question on whether the payout now is adequate”, Mr Mah added.
The review of Eldershield, which is a voluntary, opt-out scheme for now, was first announced in August last year.
ElderShield covers persons who cannot perform at least three of six activities of daily living on their own — eating, bathing, dressing, transferring (from the chair to bed, for instance), going to the toilet, and walking or moving around.
Separately, Minister of State for Health Chee Hong Tat, who was observing the discussion, said that there was a need for balances among the concerns raised. First is to find the balance between enhancing the scheme’s benefits (such as payouts) and the consequent impact on premiums that the policyholder would have to pay, he said.
Mr Chee also saw a need to balance the short- and long-term objectives, and the dual need to have a risk-pooling scheme such as Eldershield and for individuals to prepare for old age through savings.
On whether the scheme should be made mandatory, Mr Chee said that there has been some feedback to make the scheme compulsory in order to make the risk-pooling work well. However, one issue would be how low-income Singaporeans would be able to afford to pay and benefit from the scheme, he added.
The committee will be chairing around 15 to 20 more such focus-group discussions with various stakeholders to gather feedback, before it is due to make its recommendations at the end of the year.
The session on Wednesday was attended by close to 50 people aged 23 to 75. Participants included housewives, caregivers and financial advisers.
The next focus-group discussion will be held on Feb 18. Those interested to take part may register at the Health Ministry’s website: https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/eldershield/public-consultations.html
