Up to 1.1m Singapore residents will get higher healthcare subsidies

Subsidies will be extended to people from households with higher incomes from today

- Judith Tan

From October, more people will benefit from government health-care subsidies, including at public hospitals, specialist clinics and dialysis centres.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced on Sept 30 that subsidies will be extended to people from households with higher incomes.

The monthly per capita household income (PCHI) threshold for each subsidy tier will be raised by $100 to $800. PCHI is the total household income divided by the number of family members living under the same roof.

For instance, the 80 per cent subsidy for C and B2 wards at public hospitals would be given to those with PCHI of up to $2,100, from $1,800. For a family of four, this works out to a household income totalling $8,400, up from $7,200.

Aside from acute hospitals, the higher subsidies also apply across the range of healthcare services, from MediShield Life premiums to devices for seniors such as hearing aids and wheelchairs.

More people will qualify for the Chas (Community Health Assist Scheme) Blue card, with the PCHI being raised from $1,200 to $1,500.

The PCHI to qualify for the highest MediShield Life health insurance premium subsidy will also go up from $1,200 to $1,500.

In addition, the subsidy rates for community hospitals and palliative care in both hospitals and the community will be raised to match those at acute hospitals.