Only way to contain costs

From Asia One, Feb 4 2008

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PRUDENCE again underlies the latest tweak to health financing. Higher MediShield premiums Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan announced last week may be untimely when prices of almost everything are rising. But it is better to act before affordability starts to erode.

Annuity scheme could start in 2013

From The Straits Times, Feb 4 2008

By Keith Lin

THE compulsory annuity scheme that will provide elderly Singaporeans with a regular income for as long as they live will be introduced in 2013 once approved by the Government, Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen has disclosed.

MediShield premiums to go up for better cover

From The Straits Times, Jan 30, 2008

The aim is to bring payments by patients down to 20% of large bills

By Salma Khalik

YEARLY premiums for basic MediShield insurance are set to increase – by about $120 for most people – to ensure that subsidised patients saddled with big hospital bills will get better payouts.

With better coverage, they should pay just 20 per cent of a large bill of over $10,000, compared with 40 per cent now, said Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan yesterday.

He said that claim limits would be raised for mainly two items: daily treatment fees and implants.