If you live near Ang Mo Kio, it is likely that you have searched online for the Ang Mo Kio clinic near me if you are seeking treatment for a medical condition. In addition, aside from searching for Ang Mo Kio clinic near me, it is likely that you have also searched for Singapore healthcare subsidies and schemes that you can avail of.
If you are a permanent resident of the country, you are considered eligible for government subsidies of as much as 80 percent at public hospitals. Keep in mind that this only applies for B2/C wards. If you are an eligible expat, below are some of the Singapore subsidies and schemes you may be entitled to:
Enhanced Screen for Life
SFL or Screen for Life is a national screening programme providing eligible permanent residents (PRs) and Singapore citizens with subsidized screenings based on gender and age. The programme wants to encourage PRs and citizens to go for regular screenings as well as follow-ups. When detected early, appropriate intervention can be given.
In addition, it can also help delay or prevent the onset of certain conditions such as diabetes as well as possible complications that can be related to them. The Health Promotion Board (HPB) and Ministry of Health (MOH) have enhanced subsidies to encourage them to go for health screenings and follow-ups.
MediShield Life
MediShield Life is a health insurance plan that is administered by the CPF (Central Provident Fund) Board. This is designed to help pay for massive hospital bills as well as selected outpatient treatments such as chemotherapy or dialysis. This scheme is also structured so you will be paying less for huge hospital bills.
CareShield Life
CareShield Life premiums have been pre-funded with premiums that were paid during the working years. These premiums are paid from the time you join until you are 67 years old. However, you will remain covered for life. If you join CareShield Life at 59 years (or older), you will need to pay premiums for more than ten years.
Medisave
Medisave refers to the national medical savings scheme designed to help people set aside a certain part of their income to pay for a dependent’s or their own personal hospitalization. This also includes specific outpatient expenses, day surgery, and other healthcare needs during old age.
The withdrawal limits of MediSave have been set carefully. This is done to ensure Singaporean citizens have enough savings in their MediSave accounts that can cover their basic medical needs during old age. Generally, the withdrawal limits are enough to cover both outpatient and inpatient treatments.
ElderShield
ElderShield is a long-term care insurance scheme that’s targeted to cover severe disability especially during old age. This insurance scheme was first introduced in 2002. ElderShield provided a payout of $300 monthly for up to 5 years. In 2007, it was increased to $400 monthly for 6 years.
Singaporean citizens and those permanent residents with MediSave were enrolled in ElderShield automatically by the time they turn 40 years old (unless of course if you choose to opt out of the scheme). Coverage is provided by three private insurers that were appointed by the Singapore Ministry of Health.
If you prefer to join CareShield Life, your ElderShield policy will be replaced by your CareShield Life policy. The premiums you have paid to ElderShield will be taken into account when your CareShield life premium is computed. For now, the ElderShield scheme is not accepting new applications until further notice.