In a statement issued on 27 June 2014, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) Cham Hui Fong said the Labour Movement appreciates the Government's commitment to help Singaporeans and workers with premium subsidies, and finds it reassuring that premiums will be fully covered by Medisave contributions.
NTUC is also pleased to note that the MediShield Life Review Committee (MLRC) has suggested the Health Ministry consider including outpatient treatments under MediShield Life when suitable.
It was a point raised in the NTUC’s recommendations on MediShield Life on 14 April 2014.
ASG Cham added: “We also suggested earlier to include more drugs into the Standard Drug List after they have been used regularly and effectively for a certain period of time. We are glad that MLRC has also cited for Singapore to build up capabilities to evaluate the cost effectiveness of medical practices, technologies and drugs.”
Go Portable
ASG Cham also stressed the Labour Movement has reiterated its position on getting more companies onboard the Portable Medical Benefits Scheme (PMBS) as a possible way of reducing duplication in medical insurance coverage.
Employers should consider taking up portable medical benefits that ride on MediShield Life or provide additional Medisave contributions to help their workers pay for MediShield Life or Integrated Shield Plan premiums.
NTUC President and member of the MediShield Life Review Committee, Ms Diana Chia added: “We are also urging the government, being the biggest employer, to look into this scheme and be the first to take on and see how they can help employees. We will also suggest that the government look at various support schemes to also incentivise employers so that more employers can embark on this scheme itself.“
