Singapore just passed legislation on Monday (November 11) to enhance the coverage of MediShield Life by incorporating new care models into the insurance scheme. The recommendations from the MediShield Life Council is to further protect Singaporeans against substantial medical expenses and broaden the scope of coverage to facilitate access to novel types of care and treatments.
The proposed amendments aim to introduce new benefits covering a range of outpatient treatments, including mental health, community, and home-care services, along with increased claim limits. Among other provisions, the MediShield Life Scheme (Amendment) Bill sought to extend coverage to new care models, strengthen support for premium recovery efforts, and streamline the scheme’s administration.
The requirement that treats under MediShield Life must be conducted in approved medical institutions will be redefined. The revised definition allows MediShield Life to cover any medical service or treatment delivered by an approved medical institution, complemented by a more robust governance framework to ensure prudent use of the MediShield Life Fund.
Furthermore, a new concept known as “claimable medical treatment or services” will be implemented to restrict coverage to treatments provided by approved medical institutions within the confines of their approval scope. Additional enhancements involve refining provisions to facilitate premium recovery processes through alternative delivery methods like email and making MediShield Life premiums more visible and accessible.
The amendments reflect the evolving landscape of healthcare delivery to outpatient and community settings, underlining the necessity to revamp existing legislation accordingly. When implemented, these changes will empower MediShield Life to adapt to emerging healthcare models effectively while reinforcing accountability and compliance standards within approved medical institutions to uphold the integrity of the scheme.
Parliamentary discussions around the Bill focused primarily on the repercussions of the recent changes announced by the MediShield Life Council. Concerns were raised about potential increases in premiums following adjustments to claim limits and coverage expansion, scheduled to be phased in over three years starting from April 2023.
Members of Parliament expressed apprehensions regarding the introduction of new deductibles and means-testing powers, emphasizing the need to ascertain that lower-income individuals are not unduly burdened by out-of-pocket healthcare costs. In response, reassurances were provided regarding access to financial aid options, such as MediFund support, to help those facing financial constraints navigate medical expenses effectively.
