USING MEDISAVE TO PAY FOR MONTHLY RENAL DIALYSIS TREATMENT OF SPOUSES

I recently came across a case of a resident who wishes to draw down on his MediSave Account to pay for his spouse’s monthly renal dialysis treatment. He was making active monthly MediSave contributions. However, his account balance was below what was required for his age. As a result, he was not allowed to effect a draw down. I sought a more flexible approach taking into account the ability of the individual to make up for the shortfall in the future as well as the prognosis of the patient (eg access to kidney donor). I was glad to note from the Minister’s response that MOH will look at these appeals on a case-by-case basis. My PQ and the Minister’s reply may be accessed below.

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Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Health whether CPF Board can exercise flexibility on a case-by-case basis for a person who wishes to draw down on his MediSave Account to pay for his spouse’s monthly renal dialysis treatment so long as he makes active monthly MediSave contributions even if his MediSave Account balance may be below what is required for his age.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Individuals can appeal to tap on their MediSave account to pay for their family member’s monthly renal dialysis treatment if their family member has insufficient MediSave balances, up to prevailing withdrawal limits. The Ministry of Health assesses these appeals on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the affordability of the bill and expected impact of the withdrawals on the CPF member’s MediSave balances.