From Dec 8, patients unvaccinated by choice must foot their own Covid-19 medical bills: MOH
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SINGAPORE — From Dec 8, Singapore will start charging Covid-19 patients who are not vaccinated against the disease by choice.
This will apply to all unvaccinated coronavirus patients admitted on or after Dec 8 to hospitals and Covid-19 treatment facilities, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced in a statement on Monday (Nov 8).
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For patients who are partially vaccinated, they will not be charged until Dec 31 to allow them to receive the full course of their coronavirus vaccination, said the ministry.
Hence, from Jan 1 next year, only fully vaccinated Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term pass holders who have not travelled recently will have their Covid-19 medical bills paid by the Government.
The Government will also still fully foot the medical bills of Covid-19 patients who are ineligible for vaccination — children below 12 and those who are medically unable to receive the jabs.
Right now, the Government is paying the full Covid-19 medical bills of all Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term pass holders, with the exception of those who test positive for the coronavirus soon after returning from overseas travel.
“This was to avoid financial considerations adding to public uncertainty and concern when Covid-19 was an emergent and unfamiliar disease,” said MOH.
“For the majority who are vaccinated, this special approach for Covid-19 bills will continue until the Covid-19 situation is more stable.”
At present, unvaccinated persons form the sizeable majority of patients who need intensive care and disproportionately contribute to the strain on Singapore’s already-stretched healthcare resources, said MOH.
So far, 85 per cent of Singapore’s population have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine and 18 per cent have been given booster shots.
MOH said that patients who are unvaccinated by choice may still tap their regular healthcare financing arrangements to settle their medical bills where applicable.
Singaporeans and permanent residents may use regular government subsidies or their MediShield Life or Integrated Shield insurance plans.
Long-term pass holders who are not inoculated by choice may tap their usual financing arrangements, such as private insurance.