SINGAPORE — Retiree Lin Chit Wor, a 73-year-old who emptied his Central Provident Fund savings and suffers from about eight medical conditions, including heart disease, relies on the Government and his children to foot his monthly medical bills of S$500.
In contrast, retiree T K Chung, who describes his household as middle income and does not suffer from any major illnesses, is worried that the S$30,000 in his Medisave account could be wiped out if he is struck by a catastrophic illness in the near future. Thus, the 71-year-old said he felt “comforted” that the revamped national insurance scheme MediShield Life could help him should such a situation arise.
At the National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said MediShield would be revamped to become MediShield Life, offering lifelong and universal coverage. A Special Pioneer Generation Package will also be rolled out to help older Singaporeans pay their premiums.
With last night’s news, Mr Chung said: “At least now if I go into the hospital, I do not have to think about having to face the large medical bills and can concentrate on getting well, knowing that the system will take care of me.” He called on the Government to implement the scheme quickly as most seniors do not have a steady stream of income to adjust to the changes.
Madam Roilah Baba, who is retired and is not covered under MediShield, was another person who was delighted to hear that more help will be extended to older Singaporeans like her. Although the 68-year-old does not suffer from any medical conditions, she is unable to work because of her weak knees and is worried that a major and sudden illness would clean out the S$5,000 left in her Medisave.
The monthly CPF (Central Provident Fund) LIFE payouts that she relied on to take care of herself and two teenage grandsons after her son passed away will also end in about two years.
“I try my best to take good care of my health. But with the extra help, I have better peace of mind and I don’t have to burden my grandsons,” Mdm Roilah said.
Speaking to TODAY, Dr Ng Wai Chong, Assistant Director of the Hua Mei Centre for Successful Ageing, said the move could benefit seniors from the middle class, even though more should be done to address long-term care. A person disabled after a major illness would require perpetual care that is “beyond medical” such as nursing and personal care, which MediShield does not cover, he added.
Dr Ng said: “MediShield is really for catastrophic conditions that require huge resources but, most of the time, we don’t really need that. It is what happens after the hospitalisation when the elderly can’t work, can’t go to toilet themselves and have to burden their family when they really feel that old age is quite miserable ... so if the goal is to alleviate this anxiety, we need to address long-term care.” Ashley Chia
Ref:todaynews
Mdm Roilah Baba says she will have better peace of mind as she would not have to burden her grandsons with her medical bills. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong
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