13 Sep 2021
SOURCE: CPF Board

With increasing cancer prevalence and the emergence of higher-cost cancer drug therapies, the MediShield Life Council set up a Cancer Drug Committee to review coverage for outpatient cancer drug treatments to support Singaporeans’ continued access to good and affordable care.

From September 2022, MediShield Life will:

(i)      cover a list of clinically proven and cost-effective cancer drug treatments;

(ii)    set 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

(iii)   allow patients to claim an additional limit of up to $1,200 per year from MediShield Life for cancer drug services, which include scans, blood tests and doctor consultations.

Once the changes take effect, close to 90% of subsidised patients in Singapore who use clinically proven and cost-effective treatments will have their cancer drug bills fully covered by subsidy and MediShield Life, subject to 10% co-insurance that can be paid using MediSave. In comparison, under today’s system, 70% of all subsidised Singaporean patients on cancer drug treatments have their bills fully covered.

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

Current and revised MediShield Life and MediSave limits

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

Source : MOH website

The positive list of cancer drug treatments that are claimable under MediShield Life and MediSave can be found on MOH’s website. It will be updated every four 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 to improve affordability. This will apply to both cancer and non-cancer drugs listed on MAF.

Source : MOH website

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

Source : MOH website

These changes are aimed at improving the affordability of cancer drug treatments as well as the sustainability of MediShield Life premiums in the long run.

Information accurate as of 13/9/2021