USE OF MEDISAVE FOR CHEMOTHERAPY

Dr Lily Neo asked the Minister for Health whether the amount of Medisave that can be used for chemotherapy in hospitals will be revised upwards from the present $2,000 ceiling which has not been reviewed since 1991, so as to make the effective but expensive 'advance cancer drugs' affordable to patients.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: I am pleased to inform the hon. Member that my Ministry has already reviewed and increased the Medisave withdrawal limits for outpatient chemotherapy. From January 1998, these limits have been raised from $250 to $400 for each treatment cycle lasting between 21 and 28 days. The withdrawal limit is $100 for a weekly treatment cycle. The yearly withdrawal limit now stands at $3,000, up from $2,000. With the raising of the limits, about 80% of subsidised patients and 60% of private patients would be able to pay their entire chemotherapy bills using Medisave alone. This does not take into account MediShield claims which can also be used to offset part of the bill, hence making the chemotherapy treatment even more affordable. The hon. Member may be assured that my Ministry reviews Medisave withdrawal limits regularly to ensure that they are adequate for most patients.