Number of Citizens and Permanent Residents Unable to Pay MediShield Life Premiums

Mr Png Eng Huat asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the number of citizens and permanent residents who could not pay for their MediShield Life premiums since its implementation; (b) what are the main reasons; and (c) what is the total amount of premiums owed.

The Minister of State for Health (Mr Chee Hong Tat) (for the Minister for Health): Mdm Speaker, as at September 2016, around 51,000 residents have outstanding premiums due, or about 1% of total members. This includes Singaporeans living overseas and those who cannot be contacted. The total amount outstanding is $12.8 million, or less than 1% of total premiums due.

We are reaching out to remind Singaporeans and help them with their MediShield Life premiums. The Government has provided subsidies to help Singaporeans pay for their MediShield Life premiums. These include transition subsidies, means-tested subsidies for lower and middle income households, as well as additional subsidies for the Pioneer Generation. Low-income Singaporeans who require financial assistance can apply for Additional Premium Support.

Mdm Speaker: Mr Png, we have got one minute so, please, keep it very short.

Mr Png Eng Huat (Hougang): Thank you, Madam. I thank the Minister of State. Just a quick question: can the Ministry share whether the trend of non-payment of MediShield Life premiums is actually going up or down?

Mr Chee Hong Tat: Mdm Speaker, I thank Mr Png for his supplementary question. As Mr Png is aware, MediShield Life started in November last year. So, this is the first year that we are administering MediShield Life. We will keep track of the numbers. Importantly, the efforts to reach out to remind and help Singaporeans pay for their premiums will be a continuous one that we will work together with CPF Board and other Government agencies on, and to help low-income Singaporeans who required financial assistance to also benefit from MediShield Life through Additional Premium Support. In this way, we have a good universal medical insurance scheme that is for all and for life.

1.30 pm

Mdm Speaker: Order. End of Question Time.

[ Pursuant to Standing Order No. 22(3), Written Answers to Question Nos. 16-17, 19, 21, 24-25, 27, 29-30, 35-36, 38-40 and 42 on the Order Paper are reproduced in the Appendix. Question Nos. 15, 18, 20, 22-23, 26, 28, 31-34, 37, 41, 43 have been postponed to the next available sitting of Parliament.]