Offering hope to heal and cope

Healthcare financing framework eases money concerns of 92-year-old'’s caregiver

- NICHOLAS YONG

Her heart dropped when she picked up the call.

It was from the nursing home, calling to inform Ms Vivien Tan, 59, that her mother had fallen and fractured her hip.

"The doctor said she will never walk again," recalls Ms Tan, a remittance clerk.

One of three daughters, she is the primary caregiver of her 92-year-old mother.

Last September was the second time her mother had fallen in two years, leading to a 10-day hospital stay in a subsidised C class ward.

Then the bill from Ng Teng Fong General Hospital arrived.

It was about $9,200. "When I saw the (total amount), I nearly died," said the divorcee, who does not have private insurance or significant savings.

Ms Tan, a housewife for many years, had left the family finances to her ex-husband, who had initially bought insurance policies but eventually closed them due to financial strain.

She has three sons aged between 22 and 32.

But a closer look at the bill brought unexpected relief.

The bulk of it was covered by subsidies, MediShield Life, the national insurance scheme that provides basic protection against large medical bills, and her mum's MediSave.

MediSave is the national savings scheme that helps Singaporeans set aside part of their income during their working years to cover their healthcare needs.

In the end, Ms Tan paid only $60 out of pocket.