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13 Sep 2021
SOURCE: CPF Board


Update 13/3/2023 - Find out more about the increased cancer drug services limit under MediShield Life from 1 April 2023.


To ensure greater affordability of cancer treatments and sustainability of insurance premiums for Singaporeans in the longer term, the MediShield Life Council set up a Cancer Drug Committee in 2021 to review coverage for outpatient cancer drug treatments to support Singaporeans’ continued access to good and affordable care.

 

From 1 September 2022, MediShield Life and MediSave coverage for outpatient cancer treatment have been adjusted. MediShield Life will:
 

(i) cover a list of clinically proven and more cost-effective cancer drug treatments (“Cancer Drug List”, CDL) at more granular claim limits ranging from $200 to $9,600 per month to provide more targeted coverage based on the cost of each cancer drug treatment; and

(ii) allow patients to tap on a separate claim limit for cancer drug services, which include scans, blood tests and doctor consultations and supportive care drugs. The claim limit was increased from $1,200 per year to $3,600 per year from 1 April 2023.


MediSave withdrawal limits for outpatient cancer drug treatments and scans have also been adjusted together with the changes for MediShield Life.

 

Please refer to the table below for the current and revised MediShield Life and MediSave limits:


Current and revised MediShield Life and MediSave limits

 

 

Current

Revised (with effect from 1 September 2022)

MediShield Life                   

$3,000/month for all cancer drug treatments and services

Ranges from $200-$9,600/month for cancer drug treatments on the Cancer Drug List


Additional $1,200/year for cancer drug services for the year 2022. From 1 April 2023, the cancer drug services limit has been increased to $3,600/year.

MediSave

$1,200/month for all cancer drug treatments and services


Additional $600/year for cancer scans.

MediSave can also be used for scans for post-treatment monitoring and radiotherapy patients ^

$1,200/month for cancer drug treatments with MediShield Life claim limit above $5,400/month, and $600/month for other treatments on the Cancer Drug List where the MediShield Life limit is $5,400/month and below.

 


Additional $600/year for cancer drug services and other cancer scans.

Source: MOH website

 

The list of cancer drug treatments that are claimable under MediShield Life and MediSave can be found on the MOH website. It will be updated every few months to keep up with medical advancements.


At the same time, more cancer drugs will be added to the Standard Drug List and Medication Assistance Fund (MAF), and subsidised patients in public healthcare institutions will be eligible to receive up to 75% subsidy.

 

MAF subsidies will also be extended to more Singaporeans from 1 September 2022 to improve affordability. This will apply to both cancer and non-cancer drugs listed on MAF. 

 

With the changes, over 80% of subsidised cancer patients in PHIs will now access a wider range of subsidised cancer treatments than before.

Monthly PCHI

Subsidy

 

Singaporeans

Permanent Residents

$0 < PCHI ≤ $2,000

75%

 


20%

$2,000 < PCHI ≤ $3,300

50%

$3,300 < PCHI ≤ $6,500

40%

PCHI > $6,500

0%*

0%*

*In exceptional deserving cases, MAF may be extended upon appeal

Source : MOH website


Below are some scenarios using actual bills to illustrate how the changes will result in improved affordability:

Illustration of enhanced support for cancer treatment
Illustration of enhanced support for cancer treatment

Source : MOH website


Information accurate as of 13/9/2021

 

*Updated on 6/4/2023