Revision of Medical Subsidies for Permanent Residents

Dr Lam Pin Min asked the Minister for Health with the recent announcement of the revision of medical subsidies for Permanent Residents (PRs) in Singapore (a) how many low-income PRs will be affected; (b) how will the Government assist those PRs who may encounter financial difficulties as a result of the change; and (c) what will be the quantum of medical subsidy for the newly implemented Long-Term Social Visit Pass Plus holders.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: The Ministry of Health recently announced that healthcare subsidies for Permanent Residents (PRs) will be adjusted to further sharpen the distinction between citizen and PR benefits. However, we are mindful of the impact on lower income PRs, some of whom are close family members of Singaporeans or have been residents in Singapore for a long time. We have, therefore, moderated the subsidy adjustments for PRs in the lower income bands for Class B2/C inpatient, and the intermediate and long-term care (ILTC) services.

We do not track the number of PR patients by their detailed income groups, beyond the means-testing income bands. As an indication, in 2011, fewer than 3% of PR patients in the public hospitals' inpatient wards and ILTC institutions sought financial assistance. We do not expect the number of PR patients who require assistance with their bills to increase significantly, given that subsidy revisions were moderated for the lower-income.

PR patients who need financial help can approach the medical social workers in the public hospitals and ILTC institutions.

Long-Term Social Visit Pass Plus (LTVP-Plus) holders receive the same inpatient subsidies as PRs in the public hospitals. Both PRs and LTVP-Plus holders are strongly encouraged to purchase sufficient insurance coverage for their healthcare expenses. Those who are not working may tap on their spouses' Medisave to purchase Medisave-approved Integrated Shield Plans.

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