Covid-19 patients in C-class wards to pay about $700 from April 1
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Patients can use MediSave to pay for their treatment and hospitalisation.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
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SINGAPORE – From April 1, a Covid-19 patient admitted to a C-class ward is likely to pay $700 after subsidies and tapping MediShield Life, as pandemic subsidies are further scaled back with the coronavirus treated as an endemic disease.
Patients in hospital are supported by existing healthcare subsidies and the MediShield Life, MediSave and MediFund schemes.
Patients can use MediSave for treatment and hospitalisation, and MediFund can help those who are unable to use MediSave or have difficulty paying the $700 bill, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Health Rahayu Mahzam told Parliament on Friday.
The same financial schemes apply for those who are admitted to the intensive care unit, which is rarer now for those infected with Covid-19, she added.
“It is noteworthy that after three years of the pandemic, the vast majority of Covid-19 patients experience mild symptoms and are not expected to require hospital admission,” she said.
Ms Rahayu was responding to Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang), who asked about Covid-19 treatment costs, assistance for those with long Covid, and additional healthcare subsidies available.
On Feb 9, it was announced that treatment and testing for the coronavirus will no longer be fully subsidised from April
Covid-19 vaccination under the National Vaccination Programme will remain free as it is the first line of defence.
Oral antivirals will remain fully subsidised for eligible patients in outpatient settings and nursing homes, until further notice.
Currently, those who are fully vaccinated or certified to be medically ineligible for vaccination have their inpatient bills for Covid-19 treatment fully subsidised.
Most patients with Covid-19 symptoms who seek treatment at polyclinics are charged about $20 to $35 after subsidies, similar to what patients with other acute respiratory diseases are charged.
Doctors will treat Covid-19 patients based on their assessment and how severe the symptoms are, similar to the way they treat patients with other diseases.
Patients with prolonged symptoms or long Covid will be cared for and supported in the same way as those experiencing lingering effects of other respiratory diseases, Ms Rahayu added.
