Forum: Harmonise MediSave usage rules for chronic illness treatment

I recently visited Sembawang Polyclinic for an asthma-related breathing difficulty. The attentive medical staff there promptly arranged for me to be referred to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital for checks for possible pneumonia.

Extensive tests by the hospital’s team determined that my symptoms were caused by asthma, and I did not need to be warded.

However, during payment, I was surprised to learn that I could not use MediSave for the hospital bill because the treatment was classified as outpatient. This felt inconsistent, as asthma is listed in my records as a chronic illness, and I can usually use MediSave for asthma-related outpatient treatment at polyclinics.

Since both polyclinic visits and such hospital referrals are outpatient in nature, could the authorities consider harmonising MediSave usage rules for chronic illness treatment across polyclinics and hospitals?

I also discovered that MediSave arrangements for chronic illnesses do not automatically carry over when a patient seeks care at a polyclinic under a different healthcare cluster. My arrangement under SingHealth polyclinics did not apply to Sembawang Polyclinic, under the National Healthcare Group.

To the credit of its efficient staff, Sembawang Polyclinic helped me add the arrangement through a simple form-filling process, thus enabling MediSave use for that visit. 

Nonetheless, given that medical records are already seamlessly shared across healthcare provider groups, perhaps payment eligibility records could be standardised and shared in the same manner?

Such harmonisation would reduce administrative friction for patients and help ensure that access to healthcare financing remains consistent and user-friendly.

Gerard Ortega