The 3Ms of Government Healthcare

If you cannot remember what type of health financing and coverage you are entitled to as a Singaporean, remember the 3Ms:

Medisave

Medisave, introduced in April 1984, is a national medical savings scheme which helps individuals put aside part of their income into their Medisave Accounts to meet their future personal or immediate family's hospitalization, day surgery and certain outpatient expenses.

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Medishield

MediShield, introduced in 1990, is a low cost catastrophic illness insurance scheme. It is designed to help members meet the medical expenses from major or prolonged illnesses from which their Medisave balance would not be sufficient to cover. MediShield operates on a co-payment and deductible system to avoid the problems associated with first-dollar, comprehensive insurance. The premiums for MediShield is payable by Medisave.

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Medifund

Medifund is an endowment fund set up by the Government in April 1993 to help needy Singaporeans who are unable to pay for their medical expenses. This fund acts as a safety net for those who cannot afford the subsidised bill charges despite Medisave and MediShield coverage. Medifund was established with an initial capital of S$200 million and capital injections will be made when budget surpluses are available. The capital sum currently stands at S$1.48 billion. The interest income from this capital sum are being utilised to finance the needy.

Other forms of government health subsidies:

Eldershield

ElderShield, introduced in June 2002, is an affordable severe disability insurance scheme designed to help Singaporeans meet with expenses incurred in the event of severe disability. The premiums of ElderShield can also be paid with the funds from the individual's Medisave accounts.

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Interim Disability Assistance Programm for the Elderly (IDAPE)

The Interim Disability Assistance Program for the Elderly (IDAPE) scheme provides financial help to those who become disabled. IDAPE caters to Singapore citizens who are not eligible for ElderShield.

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Primary Care Partnership (PCPS)

The Primary Care Partnership Scheme engages private general practitioners (GPs) to provide common outpatient medical services to needy elderly at polyclinic charges.