REVIEWING CURRENT PRACTICE OF REFUSING COVERAGE UNDER CPF DEPENDANTS’ PROTECTION SCHEME FOR PERSONS WITH CERTAIN GENETIC DISORDERS

Recently during MPS, I met a parent of a child who has Down Syndrome (“DS”). The parent subscribed her child to the Dependants’ Protection Scheme when he reached the age of majority. At that point, she did not declare that her son had DS. She declared it at the point of renewal. This led to the insurer withdrawing coverage for her son. I met her son and noted that his DS condition is in the moderate range. I felt that there is scope to revisit the issue of coverage of persons with DS under such wide class-based insurance systems. I therefore filed a PQ asking the Minister for Manpower his views on this topic. I am cheered by the fact that he accepts that persons with mild or moderate genetic conditions with no substantial impact on their mortality will be covered under the Dependants’ Protection Scheme. This is welcome news for my constituent!

Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Manpower whether the CPF Board will consider reviewing the current practice of refusing coverage under the Dependants’ Protection Scheme for persons with certain genetic disorders such as Down Syndrome.

Dr Tan See Leng: The Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS), does provide coverage for members with pre-existing health conditions, including genetic disorders such as Down Syndrome, if their overall health conditions are assessed by medical professionals to be mild or moderate.

As with any life insurance, DPS may not cover those with severe pre-existing illnesses. This ensures that the premiums are affordable for all insured members and that the scheme remains viable.