Take-up Rate of Portable Medical Benefits Scheme and Plans to Encourage More Employers to Participate

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the take-up rate of the Portable Medical Benefits Scheme (PMBS); and (b) how does the Ministry raise awareness of the scheme and encourage more employers to participate.

Dr Tan See Leng: Based on a 2019 MOM survey, about 9% of establishments employing about 22% of the workforce implemented at least one portable medical benefit arrangement 1 for their local employees. This practice was more prevalent among establishments with a larger workforce.

As explained at the August 2021 and January 2022 Parliament Sittings, portable medical benefits are the best way for employers to manage healthcare-related costs as our population ages and especially with the advent of MediShield Life which provides universal coverage. The Public Service has taken the lead since 1994 to implement a portable medical benefits package.

Employers may be hesitant to shift away from established medical benefit schemes in the mistaken belief that their existing schemes will continue to be sustainable in the future. MOM is therefore partnering the Singapore National Employers Federation to engage and explain the benefits of PMBS to employers.

Note(s) to Question No(s) 21:

1 Portable medical benefits arrangements, applicable to local employees, include the following: (a) Portable Medical Benefits Scheme (PMBS); (b) Transferable Medical Insurance Scheme (TMIS); and (c) Shield Plan.