New Flexi-Medisave scheme
According to the Straits Times news report “New Flexi-Medisave scheme allows elderly to reduce outpatient expenses” (Jan 11) – “Come April 1, Singaporeans aged 65 and above will be able to use up to $200 of their Medisave a year for outpatient treatments at public sector specialist outpatient clinics, polyclinics and general practitioners under the Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas).
Spouses, if above 65, can also tap on their partner’s Medisave account for these outpatient treatments if they do not have enough funds in their own accounts, over and above their partner’s $200 limit.
Each patient can use up to $200 of Medisave a year for outpatient treatment at the specified places.”
Giving you crumbs a bit at a time
- Everytime the Government gives a little bit more crumbs to you – they announce it in triumph as if it is a big deal to help Singaporeans pay for healthcare.
This latest one is to allow those age 65 and above to use up to $200 a year for public outpatient specialist clinics and
general practitioners under Chas.
Can use in Chas clinics but not polyclinics
Don’t you find it strange that this amount can be used for outpatient treatment in the Chas private clinics, but cannot be used for general outpatient treatment in polyclinics?
Since the medical fees at polyclinics are generally lower than Chas private clinics despite the Chas subsidy – Singaporeans may see their Medisave being depleted even faster as this new scheme may “force” them to go to the “higher fees” Chas clinics instead of polyclinics.
The previous “crumbs” given under the Medisave schemes were the $300 limit for outpatient scans implemented on Jan 1 and a $400 limit for things like outpatient treatment of chronic diseases.
Here’s the irony – if you are very poor and can’t even afford to go to the polyclinics, which is the cheapest option – you may never be referred to a public specialist clinic in order to use this new amount of $200.
So, what is the logic in not allowing Medisave to be used for general outpatient treatment at polyclinics?
Medisave cannot be used for 101 things
There have been so many reported cases on the internet of people literally dying without medical treatment even though they have a lot of money in their Medisave accounts because of nonsensical restrictions like you cannot use Medisave for medicine, polyclinic general (not chronic illness) treatment, etc.
Greatest healthcare scam in the world?
Our healthcare system is the greatest scam in healthcare in the world as from a cashflow perspective – the Government does not spend a single cent on healthcare because total Medisave contributions exceed total medisave withdrawals for all purposes in a year.
On top of which – we have the lowest public healthcare spending in the world at 1.4 per cent of GDP, as well as the highest private healthcare spending share at about 67 per cent of total healthcare spending among developed and developing countries.
Win battles lose war
TRS Contributor