MOH to modify subsidy frameworks across healthcare settings in phases from Sept 1 to give more aid to needy

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Tuesday (Aug 30) that it will implement changes to its subsidy frameworks across healthcare settings in phases starting Sept 1 this year, to offer more assistance to people who need it most. 

This came after the ministry's earlier announcement in March last year regarding the revised means-tested subsidy frameworks for the acute hospital, community hospital and specialist outpatient clinic settings.

These changes were aimed at ensuring that the subsidies were “progressive”, so that resources better targeted those who needed them more, MOH said at the time. 

Means testing is a method to calculate the subsidies that people receive based on factors such as household income, in order for government assistance to be targeted towards the economically more vulnerable.

Right now, several methods are used for means testing across various ministries in Singapore. 

In a press release on Tuesday, MOH said: "These are significant changes to our healthcare financing policies to provide more subsidies to patients who need greater support, and encourage patients to access care at the most appropriate healthcare setting." 

The ministry also provided another update: Subsidies for drugs listed under the Standard Drug List in acute and community hospitals will be means-tested by monthly per capita (per person) household income from Nov 1, instead of the current standard rate of 50 per cent. 

The subsidies will range from 50 to 75 per cent, with more subsidies for the lower-income group. 

This accompanies the changes that were previously announced such as the enhancements to the Medication Assistance Fund subsidy framework. 

These revised frameworks will be rolled out in the following phases: 

• Sept 1 – Drug subsidies through the Medication Assistance Fund
• Nov 1 – Inpatient care and day surgery in acute hospitals, and inpatient rehabilitation and sub-acute services in community hospitals
• Jan 1, 2023 – Outpatient care in specialist outpatient clinics

MOH also said that it is streamlining the household means-test process by using the per capita household income data already computed for the MediShield Life insurance premium subsidy administration that is handled by the Central Provident Fund.

"This will eliminate the need for repeated subsidy application when care is sought at different settings," it added. 

Patients keen to have their means-test status reassessed may ask for more information through their public healthcare institution or healthcare service provider.

MOH said that this "streamlined household means-test process" has already been put in place for long-term care services such as nursing homes since June 1.

It will also be used for drugs and services subsidies in the polyclinic, acute and community hospitals, as well as specialist outpatient clinic settings alongside the subsidy changes.

"Overall, the financing and subsidy scheme changes will help target and increase subsidies to those who need them most, while managing healthcare cost growth sustainably." 

The ministry added that patients who still have concerns on affording healthcare bills at public healthcare institutions may approach medical social workers for financial assistance.

"No one will be denied appropriate healthcare due to an inability to pay."