MediShield Life to hike premiums, claim limits, and coverage by 2025
The government will provide $4.1b for these enhancements.
From April 2025, Singaporeans will see an increase in MediShield Life premiums, higher inpatient claim limits, and enhanced outpatient coverage.
The MediShield Life premium will be increased in phases evenly over three years up to 35%, which will give an average of 22% increase per policyholder by 2028.
Inpatient daily claim limits for the first two days of a normal ward stay will go up from $1,000 to $1,630, whilst the daily claim limits for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward stays will more than double, from $2,200 to $5,140.
The policy year limit claim will also be increased from $150,000 to $200,000 and inpatient deductible will be raised to $1,500.
Meanwhile, outpatient claim limits will be increased to fully cover nine in ten subsidised bills and new treatments and home-based medical care will be covered such as repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation which is used to treat depression.
Claim limits for kidney dialysis will increase from $1,100 to $1,750 per month. Coverage for high-cost treatments for cancer and serious diseases will also be expanded. In addition, a new outpatient deductible of $500 per year will also be introduced.
To support these enhancements, the government will provide an additional $4.1b, comprising $3.4b in MediSave top-ups and $0.7b in premium subsidies for the next three years.
The government will also adjust the MediSave withdrawal limits so that patients can use MediSave to cover the co-insurance and revised deductibles.