MEDISAVE (Use for hospitalisation treatment overseas)

MEDISAVE:

(Use for hospitalisation treatment overseas): 8.

Mr Zainudin Nordin asked the Minister for Health in line with the Government’s call to Singaporeans to look at the region within a six-hour flight radius as their hinterland where they should be prepared to work, will the Minister consider allowing (a) Singaporeans to use their Medisave to pay for medical expenses should they fall ill while working in the said region; and (b) Medisave to be used by an account holder to enjoy the savings from seeking treatment from an internationally recognised medical specialist overseas.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the purpose of Medisave is to enable Singaporeans to help pay for their hospitalisation expenses, especially at old age. In order to keep the monthly contributions low, withdrawals from Medisave are capped at Class B2 rates. Hospitals and doctors are accredited, if their bills are to be eligible for Medisave withdrawals. My Ministry regularly audits them to ensure clinical standards are met and that the Medisave claims are in order.

As it will not be practical to subject foreign hospitals and doctors to our Medisave regulations, we do not allow Medisave withdrawals for elective hospitalisation treatment overseas. However, on a case by case basis, we have allowed Medisave to be used for overseas hospitalisation treatment when the treatment is an emergency and any delay may cause the condition to worsen.