Statistics on MediShield Coverage Limits

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Health (a) in 2011 and 2012, how many MediShield policyholders reached the (i) $50,000 policy year limit and (ii) $200,000 lifetime limit; and (b) in 2013, how many MediShield policyholders are projected to reach the revised (i) $70,000 policy year limit and (ii) $300,000 lifetime limit.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: Fewer than 0.1% of MediShield policyholders reached the policy year and lifetime limits in 2011 and 2012. The breakdown is shown below.

The MediShield policy year and lifetime limits were recently increased in March 2013 from $50,000 to $70,000, and from $200,000 to $300,000 respectively. These enhancements will address concerns that an increasing number of policyholders will exceed the policy year and lifetime claim limits, with ageing and accumulation of claims over time.

As these limits were just raised in March 2013, we will monitor the trend in policyholders exceeding these new limits each year. Financial assistance will continue to be available for those who face difficulty with their medical bills at our public healthcare institutions.

As part of our study on moving towards MediShield Life to provide greater assurance for Singaporeans, the Ministry will continue to consider further enhancements to the scheme, including the policy year and lifetime limits.