Changes to Medishield from March 2013
Medishield is going to undergo several changes effective from March 2013. The most notable of these changes would probably be the increase in premium rates across the board for all age bands.
People between their twenties and fifties will see an increase of about 100% in the annual premium for Medishield. A person in his twenties used to pay $33 per year for Medishield coverage. This would double to $66. The premium rates for people in their thirties and fourties have been increased from $54 and $114 to $105 and $220 per year respectively.
There is also an increase in the deductible payable by the insured for Class B2 and C wards, i.e. the amount payable by the insured upon admission to these wards before Medishield coverage kicks in is increased. The previous deductible of $1,000 for C ward and $1,500 for B2 ward is increased by $500.
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在新加坡如何防备医药费
I realised there is a dearth of personal finance articles for the Chinese-educated and hence I am writing a Mandarin article, hopefully brushing up my language at the same time. People with Chinese-educated parents can consider letting them read this:
新加坡的医药发达，但医药费往往昂贵，难以负担。在这里居住的人民，无论是公民还是从外国来公干的人士，应为自己的财务利益着想，谨慎防备医药费。
就业的新加坡公民每月缴交公积金 (CPF)，分为三个户口：普通户口 (Ordinary Account)、特别户口 (Special Account)、保健储蓄户口 (Medisave)。
保健储蓄户口有两大作用：其一，用来交付医疗费。其二，用来交付某些保险保单的保费。这两作用都受于中央公积金局 (CPF Board) 的限制 － 大概是政府担心国人太快把保健储蓄用完。
What is ElderShield?
ElderShield is a Long-Term Care insurance scheme that Singaporeans are enrolled in on an opt-out basis when they reach the age of 40 years old. It is designed to provide a monthly payout to the insured upon severe disability typically associated with old age (hence the name).
Similar to MediShield, the premiums are payable by a CPF Member’s Medisave account, and there are optional supplements to be purchased with private insurers (as of writing, three insurers offer such supplements).