MOH, CPF to take flexible approach for MediShield Life Premiums: Gan

SINGAPORE — Singaporeans and permanent residents with “less severe” pre-existing health conditions may not have to pay an additional 30 per cent in premiums when MediShield Life kicks in later this year.

Speaking at the sidelines of a media preview of Ng Teng Fong General Hospital today (April 29), Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said his ministry and the Central Provident Fund Board will take a “more flexible approach” in assessing individuals’ health status to determine if they will need to fork out more.

“We try as much as possible... even if (individuals have) pre-existing conditions, so long as they are not very severe, we try to not impose this additional premium on them,” said Mr Gan, who added that the health checks will be based on existing medical records, and will likely take place around end June or early July, towards the end of the current phase of household checks which started today.

Medishield Life, which is expected to kick in at the end of this year, will provide universal health insurance coverage for all Singaporean citizens and permanent residents. Those with pre-existing conditions will have to pay a flat rate of 30 per cent more in premiums for the first ten years. The Ministry of Health will share more on the pre-existing conditions which require the additional premium by July.

Mr Gan added that individuals subject to the additional premiums will be informed “in due course” and will be able to appeal against the decision. “We will consider the appeal on a case by case basis,” he said.