Singapore Healthcare

MediShield is a low cost catastrophic illness insurance scheme. Introduced in 1990, the government designed MediShield to help members meet medical expenses from major illnesses, which could not be sufficiently covered by their Medisave balance. MediShield operates on a co-payment and deductible system to avoid problems associated with first-dollar, comprehensive insurance.

Premiums for MediShield can be paid by Medisave. A very large medical bill can easily wipe out your Medisave balance, as it is only a savings account. For this reason, you are advised to take up MediShield or an appropriate private Integrated Shield Plan in order to stretch your Medisave dollars. Your co-payment and deductibles can also be paid using Medisave or cash.

MediShield will cover up to 80% of your large medical bill at the Class B2/C level.

For Singaporeans who plan to use Class B1 or higher ward classes, you may wish to consider purchasing Medisave-approved private Integrated Shield Plans on top of your Medishield. MediShield and other Medisave-approved private Integrated Shield Plans are designed to cater to your different insurance coverage needs.

MediShield is operated by the CPF Board.

MediShield is designed to help Singaporeans pay their hospital bills incurred in subsidised Class B2/C wards. Thus, bills incurred in Class A, B1 or B2+ wards in restructured hospitals, as well as bills incurred in private hospitals, are pro-rated and not fully covered. Members who receive reduced subsidies in B2/C wards will also have their bills pro-rated to the full-subsidy bill size.

Example:
A patient staying in Class C incurs a bill of $8,000. If all the expenses are within the MediShield claimable limits (A), the total claimable amount is $8,000.

(B) Deductible
As he is staying in a Class C ward, the deductible payable by the policyholder is $1,000.

(C) Co-insurance
The co-insurance he has to pay is computed as follows:
- 20% of the claimable amount from $1,001 to $3,000: 20% x $2,000 = $400
- 15% of the claimable amount from $3,001 to $5,000: 15% x $2,000 = $300
- 10% of the claimable amount above $5,000: 10% x $3,000 = $300
Hence, the total co-insurance payable is $1,000 (i.e. $400 + $300 + $300).

(credits: http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/hcfinancing.aspx?id=306)

# posted by lwx @ 7:15 PM