Tan Hui Lenghuileng@newstoday.com.sg
WORKERS who have healthy Medisave balances may soon be able to draw on their funds if they are admitted to B1 and A wards and private hospitals.
.The Ministry of Health is also looking into extending the usage of Medisave to the treatment of chronic diseases at government-run specialist outpatient clinics and private general practitioners.
.Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan made the announcements yesterday, after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong first signalled at the National Day Rally last month that such changes were in the works to make the scheme more flexible.
."For those who are working and have large Medisave balances, let's allow them to withdraw more money if they go into Class A, Class B1 or private wards," said Mr Khaw during a community visit to Kaki Bukit. No details are available yet, but the changes are expected to be finalised and implemented in the next few months.
.As for the possible extension of Medisave for use in long-term chronic illness treatment at government-run specialist outpatient clinics and private GPs, Mr Khaw noted that bills for the treatment of these diseases may not be small and, with repeat attendances, may run into thousands of dollars. Thus, he is looking into allowing working individuals with adequate Medisave to utilise the funds for this purpose. Details are expected early next year.
.The ministry is approaching this carefully, however, as Medisave is designed primarily for in-patient hospital stays and Mr Khaw is concerned that if the criteria for use in chronic disease treatment is too loose, the scheme may be abused and account holders may deplete their Medisave account and find themselves short of funds when hospitalised.
."I know very soon people will want screening, mammography and so on, and all this will grow … Nowadays you have very expensive screening tests which sometimes you wonder about their value," he said.
.With the raising of withdrawal limits for use in B1 and A wards and private hospitals, Mr Khaw said the Medisave contribution ceiling of $32,500 will also be reviewed and may be increased.
Tan Hui Lenghuileng@newstoday.com.sg
WORKERS who have healthy Medisave balances may soon be able to draw on their funds if they are admitted to B1 and A wards and private hospitals.
.The Ministry of Health is also looking into extending the usage of Medisave to the treatment of chronic diseases at government-run specialist outpatient clinics and private general practitioners.
.Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan made the announcements yesterday, after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong first signalled at the National Day Rally last month that such changes were in the works to make the scheme more flexible.
."For those who are working and have large Medisave balances, let's allow them to withdraw more money if they go into Class A, Class B1 or private wards," said Mr Khaw during a community visit to Kaki Bukit. No details are available yet, but the changes are expected to be finalised and implemented in the next few months.
.As for the possible extension of Medisave for use in long-term chronic illness treatment at government-run specialist outpatient clinics and private GPs, Mr Khaw noted that bills for the treatment of these diseases may not be small and, with repeat attendances, may run into thousands of dollars. Thus, he is looking into allowing working individuals with adequate Medisave to utilise the funds for this purpose. Details are expected early next year.
.The ministry is approaching this carefully, however, as Medisave is designed primarily for in-patient hospital stays and Mr Khaw is concerned that if the criteria for use in chronic disease treatment is too loose, the scheme may be abused and account holders may deplete their Medisave account and find themselves short of funds when hospitalised.
."I know very soon people will want screening, mammography and so on, and all this will grow … Nowadays you have very expensive screening tests which sometimes you wonder about their value," he said.
.With the raising of withdrawal limits for use in B1 and A wards and private hospitals, Mr Khaw said the Medisave contribution ceiling of $32,500 will also be reviewed and may be increased.
Tan Hui Lenghuileng@newstoday.com.sg
WORKERS who have healthy Medisave balances may soon be able to draw on their funds if they are admitted to B1 and A wards and private hospitals.
.The Ministry of Health is also looking into extending the usage of Medisave to the treatment of chronic diseases at government-run specialist outpatient clinics and private general practitioners.
.Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan made the announcements yesterday, after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong first signalled at the National Day Rally last month that such changes were in the works to make the scheme more flexible.
."For those who are working and have large Medisave balances, let's allow them to withdraw more money if they go into Class A, Class B1 or private wards," said Mr Khaw during a community visit to Kaki Bukit. No details are available yet, but the changes are expected to be finalised and implemented in the next few months.
.As for the possible extension of Medisave for use in long-term chronic illness treatment at government-run specialist outpatient clinics and private GPs, Mr Khaw noted that bills for the treatment of these diseases may not be small and, with repeat attendances, may run into thousands of dollars. Thus, he is looking into allowing working individuals with adequate Medisave to utilise the funds for this purpose. Details are expected early next year.
.The ministry is approaching this carefully, however, as Medisave is designed primarily for in-patient hospital stays and Mr Khaw is concerned that if the criteria for use in chronic disease treatment is too loose, the scheme may be abused and account holders may deplete their Medisave account and find themselves short of funds when hospitalised.
."I know very soon people will want screening, mammography and so on, and all this will grow … Nowadays you have very expensive screening tests which sometimes you wonder about their value," he said.
.With the raising of withdrawal limits for use in B1 and A wards and private hospitals, Mr Khaw said the Medisave contribution ceiling of $32,500 will also be reviewed and may be increased.
Tan Hui Lenghuileng@newstoday.com.sg
WORKERS who have healthy Medisave balances may soon be able to draw on their funds if they are admitted to B1 and A wards and private hospitals.
.The Ministry of Health is also looking into extending the usage of Medisave to the treatment of chronic diseases at government-run specialist outpatient clinics and private general practitioners.
.Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan made the announcements yesterday, after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong first signalled at the National Day Rally last month that such changes were in the works to make the scheme more flexible.
."For those who are working and have large Medisave balances, let's allow them to withdraw more money if they go into Class A, Class B1 or private wards," said Mr Khaw during a community visit to Kaki Bukit. No details are available yet, but the changes are expected to be finalised and implemented in the next few months.
.As for the possible extension of Medisave for use in long-term chronic illness treatment at government-run specialist outpatient clinics and private GPs, Mr Khaw noted that bills for the treatment of these diseases may not be small and, with repeat attendances, may run into thousands of dollars. Thus, he is looking into allowing working individuals with adequate Medisave to utilise the funds for this purpose. Details are expected early next year.
.The ministry is approaching this carefully, however, as Medisave is designed primarily for in-patient hospital stays and Mr Khaw is concerned that if the criteria for use in chronic disease treatment is too loose, the scheme may be abused and account holders may deplete their Medisave account and find themselves short of funds when hospitalised.
."I know very soon people will want screening, mammography and so on, and all this will grow … Nowadays you have very expensive screening tests which sometimes you wonder about their value," he said.
.With the raising of withdrawal limits for use in B1 and A wards and private hospitals, Mr Khaw said the Medisave contribution ceiling of $32,500 will also be reviewed and may be increased.
