<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Govt working to raise MediShield coverage
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->WE AGREE with Mr Tan Kin Lian last Monday that we should 'Bring more under MediShield', and 'Fix this weak link in health insurance' as urged by the editorial last Friday.
Today, more than 84 per cent of the population is covered. We are working to raise this coverage further. We are confident of exceeding 90 per cent as an immediate target.
The vast majority of those currently uninsured belong to two groups: children and non-working spouses. Most are uninsured not because of pre-existing illnesses, but because of inertia. We are reaching out to them.
Since December 2007, all newborns are auto-covered under MediShield, unless their parents opt out. Under this initiative, 98 per cent of parents have chosen to insure their newborns. We are now catching up with the children in schools, to get them into MediShield. Separately, we are working with NTUC and the unions to remind workers to sign up for their spouses.
MediShield subjects applicants to underwriting to reduce adverse selection and ensure the long-term viability of the scheme. This keeps premiums affordable for existing members who enter the scheme in good health. Even then, MediShield rejections due to pre-existing illnesses are the exception rather than the norm.
There are two types of pre-existing illnesses: congenital illnesses and those acquired in later life. The right way to avoid rejections due to acquired pre-existing illnesses is to join MediShield early when young and healthy. Mr Tan's suggestion to fully cover members with pre-existing health conditions after a window period would have the opposite effect of encouraging people to delay subscription. This would not be in the interest of members.
As for those with congenital illnesses, we are sympathetic to their plight. We would like to get them insured but precisely because they are in the minority, the premiums will be high for such a risk group. One way to lower the premium significantly is for the majority of Singaporeans without congenital illnesses to cross-subsidise them through higher premiums across the board. This is done in some countries and we are studying their experience. But such an approach will require the support of Singaporeans.
Meanwhile, we will continue to look after those with congenital illnesses via government subsidies and Medifund. They will have access to affordable health care even without MediShield coverage.
Julie Sim (Ms)
Deputy Director,
Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->WE AGREE with Mr Tan Kin Lian last Monday that we should 'Bring more under MediShield', and 'Fix this weak link in health insurance' as urged by the editorial last Friday.
Today, more than 84 per cent of the population is covered. We are working to raise this coverage further. We are confident of exceeding 90 per cent as an immediate target.
The vast majority of those currently uninsured belong to two groups: children and non-working spouses. Most are uninsured not because of pre-existing illnesses, but because of inertia. We are reaching out to them.
Since December 2007, all newborns are auto-covered under MediShield, unless their parents opt out. Under this initiative, 98 per cent of parents have chosen to insure their newborns. We are now catching up with the children in schools, to get them into MediShield. Separately, we are working with NTUC and the unions to remind workers to sign up for their spouses.
MediShield subjects applicants to underwriting to reduce adverse selection and ensure the long-term viability of the scheme. This keeps premiums affordable for existing members who enter the scheme in good health. Even then, MediShield rejections due to pre-existing illnesses are the exception rather than the norm.
There are two types of pre-existing illnesses: congenital illnesses and those acquired in later life. The right way to avoid rejections due to acquired pre-existing illnesses is to join MediShield early when young and healthy. Mr Tan's suggestion to fully cover members with pre-existing health conditions after a window period would have the opposite effect of encouraging people to delay subscription. This would not be in the interest of members.
As for those with congenital illnesses, we are sympathetic to their plight. We would like to get them insured but precisely because they are in the minority, the premiums will be high for such a risk group. One way to lower the premium significantly is for the majority of Singaporeans without congenital illnesses to cross-subsidise them through higher premiums across the board. This is done in some countries and we are studying their experience. But such an approach will require the support of Singaporeans.
Meanwhile, we will continue to look after those with congenital illnesses via government subsidies and Medifund. They will have access to affordable health care even without MediShield coverage.
Julie Sim (Ms)
Deputy Director,
Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health
