Five-Year Statistics on Medisave and MediShield Life Coverage Adequacy towards Lifelong Dialysis Treatment and Healthcare Financing Enhancements for Working Patients

Mr Gabriel Lam asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health over the past five years (a) whether the current Medisave withdrawal limits and MediShield Life coverage have been sufficient for working patients undergoing long-term dialysis; (b) how many patients have exhausted both the limits annually; and (c) whether enhancements are being considered to better reflect the lifelong nature of kidney failure.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Dialysis patients receive lifelong financing support through Government subsidies, MediShield Life and MediSave. These financing schemes are regularly reviewed, to ensure that dialysis remains affordable for all Singaporeans.

For instance, MediShield Life claim limits for dialysis were reviewed and increased by about 60%, from $1,100 to $1,750 per month from April 2025. The Ministry of Health has also enhanced Government subsidies for subsidised dialysis patients since 1 July 2025.

Beyond these, eligible patients can also receive charity assistance and other forms of discretionary support, such as MediFund. Most subsidised patients pay no cash out of pocket for their dialysis treatments. No one will be denied appropriate care due to an inability to pay.