Rising healthcare costs in Singapore have many of us wondering if we have enough in the bank to fund our parents’ medical bills. Thankfully, the government has equipped us with subsidies, insurance schemes and safety nets to ensure we have maximum financial support for this important expense. Unfortunately, many aren’t aware of these schemes and let them go to waste. In this post, we will highlight the various schemes to reduce the costs of in- and out-patient treatments for the elderly.
A. Eldershield
This is a severe disability insurance scheme designed to provide financial aid and protection for long term care, especially in old age. All Singaporeans and Permanent Residents aged 40 and above are automatically enrolled in the Eldershield plan. Annual premiums are payable in cash or by Medisave till the age of 65.
Benefits
Monthly payout for a period of time, depending on the plan
Eldershield 300 – $300/month, up to 60 months
Eldershield 400 – $400/month, up to 72 months
Covers pre-existing illnesses
Eligibility
Elderly unable to perform three Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Severe disabilities that existed before Eldershield enrollment will not be eligible
How to apply
An Eldershield welcome package will be mailed out 3 months before each individual’s 40th birthday
Contact Aviva, Great Eastern or NTUC income if your parents are not covered by Eldershield
Visit the Ministry of Health to learn more about Eldershield
B. Interim Disability Assistance Programme For The Elderly (IDAPE)
The IDAPE provides a monthly payout for elderly persons who are not eligible for Eldershield when it was launched.
Benefits
Monthly payout of $250 for individuals with per capita household income of $1,800 or less, up to 72 months
Monthly payout of $150 for individuals with per capita household income of $2,600 or less, up to 72 months
Eligibility
Singaporean
Born on/before 30 September 1932, or
Between 1 October 1932 and 30 September 1962 (inclusive), and with disabilities incurred after 30 September 2002
Elderly person unable to perform three Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
How to apply
Apply for the programme with the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC)
Visit SilverPages to learn more about IDAPE
C. Medical Fee Exemption Card (MEFC)
The Medical Fee Exemption Card (MFEC) will alleviate the medical costs of staying in a nursing home, chronic sick hospital and inpatient hospice. The elderly person can benefit from various free treatments at restructured hospitals, polyclinics and national specialty centres.
Benefits
Free treatment at restructured hospitals, polyclinics and national specialty centres
In- and out-patient medical consultations
Standard procedures such as X-ray, CT scan, blood test, etc.
Medications for selected drugs
Eligibility
Singaporean or Permanent Resident
Staying in an MOH-funded nursing home (or chronic sick hospital or inpatient hospice), or a private nursing home under the portable subsidy scheme and means-tested
Savings of $6,000 or less, and monthly income per capita of $700 or less
How to apply
Approach a medical social worker at the hospital or live-in centre
Visit SilverPages to learn more about the Exemption Card
D. Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)
CHAS allows Pioneers to receive medical and dental care subsidies at General Practitioners (GP) and dental clinics. There are three forms of Health Assist Cards under CHAS: Blue, Orange, and the Pioneer Generation Card. The amount of subsidies and benefits vary between the cards, as indicated below.
Benefits
Blue Assist Card
Common illness (per visit): maximum $18.50
Simple chronic conditions (single): maximum $80 per visit, up to $320 per year
Complex chronic conditions (multiple): maximum $120 per visit, up to $480 per year
Dental service (per dental service): $11 to $256.50 (selected services only, depends on procedure)
Orange Assist Card
Common illness (per visit): no subsidy
Simple chronic conditions (single): maximum $50 per visit, up to $200 per year
Complex chronic conditions (multiple): maximum $75 per visit, up to $300 per year
Dental service (per dental service): $55 to $170.50 (crown, denture & root canal treatment only)
Pioneer Generation Card
Common illness (per visit): maximum $28.50
Simple chronic conditions (single): maximum $90 per visit, up to $360 per year
Complex chronic conditions (multiple): maximum $135 per visit, up to $540 per year
Dental service (per dental service): $21 to $256.50 (selected services only, depends on procedure)
Eligibility
Singaporean
Blue Health Assist Card
Less than $1,100 in household monthly income per capita (with income), or less than $13,000 in Annual Value (AV) of the residence (without income)
Orange Health Assist Card
$1,101 to $1,800 in household monthly income per capita (with income), or $13,000 to $21,000 in Annual Value (AV) of residence (without income)
Pioneers
Automatically eligible for CHAS subsidies, regardless of income or AV of home
How to apply
Each family to submit one application form to CHAS
Download the application form
Visit CHAS to learn more about the Community Health Assist Scheme
Want To Know More On Which Schemes Are Best For Your Parents? Consult SilverAlly At 626-515-00
E. Medisave
Medisave helps CPF members with their health care needs, especially during retirement. Anyone with a CPF account will automatically have a Medisave account. If your parents have insufficient funds, you may use your Medisave funds for their medical costs.
Benefits
Pays for hospitalisation and some outpatient expenses
Claim up to $450 per day for daily hospital charges
Claim up to $300 per day for daily hospital charges for surgery
Claim up to $7,550 for surgical operations
More benefits here
Eligibility
Anyone with a CPF account
Admitted to the hospital for at least 8 hours
How to apply
Visit link for withdrawal and claim forms
F. Flexi-Medisave
If your parents are aged 65 and above, Flexi-Medisave is an add-on feature that gives them more flexibility for use towards certain out-patient treatments.
Benefits
Withdrawal of up to $200 per year, for the following:
Outpatient treatments at approved health centres
Screening tests under the Integrated Screening Programme (selected chronic diseases and cancers)
After the limit of Medisave usage has been exceeded
Visit the Ministry of Health to learn more about Flexi-Medisave
Eligibility
Singaporean, aged 65 and above
G. Medishield Life
Medishield Life is a mandatory health insurance provided by the CPF board to pay for large hospital bills and costly outpatient treatments. In addition, it covers the elderly with pre-existing conditions, but may be subject to additional premiums*.
Benefits
Claim up to $700 for hospital charges, and up to $7,000 for a procedure, such as surgery or implants
Claim up to $3,000 for outpatient treatments
Lower co-insurance payable by the insured
Covers for pre-existing conditions*
Eligibility
Household monthly income of $2,600 or less
Annual value of residence is $21,000 or less
No ownership of more than one property
Visit the Ministry of Health to learn more about Medishield Life
H. Medifund
Medifund is an endowment fund set up by the government to help Singaporeans who are struggling with the remaining medical costs after receiving government subsidies and other means of payments, such as Medishield Life, private Integrated Shield Plans (IPs), Medisave and cash.
Benefits
Pays for treatment in restructured hospitals or national specialty centres
Pays for Intermediate and Long-Term Care services (ILTC)
Amount of assistance provided will be worked out by the Medifund Committee
Eligibility
Singaporean
Already receiving subsidies
Received medical treatment from Medifund-approved institutions
Have financial difficulty affording the medical bills after exhausting all other subsidies
How to apply
Approach a medical social worker at the hospital or live-in centre Visit the Ministry of Health to learn more about Medifund