MediSave Claims for Overseas Treatment and Expansion of MediShield Life Coverage to Healthcare Bills Incurred in Malaysian Hospitals

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Health since the use of MediSave for overseas elective hospitalisations and day surgeries has been allowed (a) what is the number of MediSave claims that have been made for such treatments in accredited hospitals in Malaysia per year; and (b) what is the corresponding amount of MediSave claimed for such treatments in accredited hospitals in Malaysia per year.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider expanding MediShield Life insurance to cover Singaporeans' healthcare bills incurred in Malaysian hospitals that have approved working arrangements with MediSave-accredited hospitals in Singapore.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: MediShield Life is a basic health insurance plan that is designed to cover subsidised bills at public hospitals locally and, hence, is not extended for medical treatments overseas. Nevertheless, MediSave use is currently permitted for overseas elective hospitalisations and day surgeries at accredited hospitals. In the last three years, around 250 MediSave claims were made annually with an average claim of $3,400.