Rahayu Mahzam on insurance coverage for cancer treatment

Limiting insurance coverage from MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans to a Cancer Drug List (CDL) of clinically proven and more cost-effective cancer drug treatments will improve affordability for patients overall, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Health Rahayu Mahzam. She said since the changes were announced last year, the Government has secured an average price reduction of 30 per cent for cancer drugs, rising to more than 60 per cent for some. A panel of experts recommends new cancer treatments for inclusion on the list, which currently covers 90 per cent of treatments used in the public sector and is updated every four months. Ms Rahayu said in the transitional period, there will be measures to help the “small number” of patients who need non-CDL treatments and are affected by the policy changes. Private patients who cannot afford their bills may be transferred to subsidised care at public healthcare institutions. Ms Rahayu was responding to MPs’ questions in Parliament on Tuesday (Jul 5).