A cancer diagnosis, while stressful and frightening, is often just the first bump in a long and painful journey.
Our most effective treatment for the disease at the moment is chemotherapy, which makes patients feel sick and tired all the time, among other side effects.
Patients and their families also have to worry about the cost of treatment, be it chemo or other drugs, as it can rack up astronomical bills.
This is one of the many reasons people have medical insurance, so they’re protected in such instances.
Now, one insurance plan that we all have will provide even more support for cancer patients seeking treatment.
Cancer Patients Will Be Able to Make Larger Claims Under Medishield Life
Thanks to recent amendments to MediShield Life, cancer patients will be able to make larger claims under MediShield Life from 2022.
Currently, eligible patients can claim up to S$3,000 per month under MediShield Life coverage for all cancer drug treatments and services.
But from September 2022, patients can make claims of between S$200 and S$9,600 per month for 90% of existing treatments used in the public health sector.
In addition to this, patients can make a yearly claim of S$1,200 for services such as scans, blood tests, and doctor consultations.
The changes were made following recommendations made by the MediShield Life Council.
More Cancer Drugs Will Be Subsidised
55 cancer drugs will also be added to the Standard Drug List and Medication Assistance Fund.
The fund provides up to 75% subsidy for subsidised patients in public healthcare institutions.
The government will also extend the Medication Assistance Fund to unsubsidised Singaporeans with monthly per capita household income between S$2,800 and S$6,500.
They will get subsidies of up to 50% for cancer and non-cancer drugs.
Changes to MediSave Withdrawl Limits
At the moment, patients can claim $1,200 per month for all cancer drug treatments and services, with an additional $600 for scans.
This will still be in place, but with their MediShield Life claim, the limit is adjusted to above S$5,400.
They will also be able to claim S$600 per month under MediSave for other treatments on the “positive list”, which has treatments that are “common today but not registered with the Health Sciences Authority or are not cost-effective,” MOH said.
With the Changes, 90% of Cancer Patients Will Have Their Bills Fully Covered
According to MOH, 70% of patients today have their cancer drug and treatment bills fully covered by subsidy and MediShield Life.
With the changes, this number will go up to 90%, subject to co-payment which can be paid using MediSave, MOH said.
This will certainly go a long way to easing the financial anxieties of patients, who can then focus on fighting this deadly disease.
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