MediShield Life coverage for cancer services to go up from April following feedback on changes

SINGAPORE – Subsidized cancer patients will receive higher insurance coverage for cancer treatment services starting April 1 after review.

Specifically, coverage will increase from the current $1,200 to $3,600 starting April 1, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a statement on Saturday.

Since September 2022, cancer treatment claims from MediShield Life have been divided into two categories – drugs and services.

Patients can get between $200 and $9,600 a month in insurance coverage for one cancer drug treatment. If the patient requires additional cancer drugs, this will not be covered.

Claims for cancer services – including everything else, including consultation fees, tests and support medications such as nausea caused by treatment – ​​are limited to $1,200 a year.

Prior to September 2022, the claim limit for drugs and services is $3,000 per month for MediShield Life.

“Since implementation, we have received feedback that MediShield Life’s claim limits for cancer drug services may be inadequate for some patients who require more frequent tests to monitor disease progress or who require supportive care medication to manage side effects,” the MOH said in a statement today. Saturday.

He added that there was no change to the $600 a year limit for MediSave withdrawals for cancer services.

The release added: “MOH will continue to review our healthcare financing schemes to ensure that they remain adequate to meet the needs of Singaporeans, while ensuring the long term sustainability of healthcare costs. No one will be denied health care because of an inability to pay.”