The Ministry of Health said in a press release yesterday that the subsidies at Public Health Preparedness Clinics and polyclinics (flat rate of $10 for treatment of respiratory infection symptoms, $5 for seniors) will no longer apply and will revert back to pre-Covid levels.
Here is what they said
Updates on COVID-19 Financing Schemes
In Singapore, healthcare support in the form of S+3Ms (Government Subsidies, MediSave, MediShield Life and MediFund) are extended broadly to all Singaporeans. Notwithstanding, as part of our pandemic response, COVID-19 treatments have been provided at a very low fee or free of charge, going beyond the regular S+3Ms. As life reverts to normal and we increasingly live with COVID-19 as an endemic disease, we will need to progressively scale back the pandemic subsidy policy, and revert to the S+3Ms healthcare financing frameworks.
Reverting to Pre-COVID-19 Subsidy Policy for Respiratory Infection Treatment at Public Health Preparedness Clinics
Since February 2020, more than 1,000 PHPCs have been activated to provide subsidised care for patients with respiratory infection symptoms, whether due to COVID-19 or not. Singapore residents pay a flat subsidised rate of $10 and seniors from the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation pay a lower rate of $5. From 1 July 2022, 0001 hours, subsidies at PHPCs and polyclinics for the treatment of respiratory infections will revert to pre-COVID-19 levels. The $10/$5 fee will no longer apply, but Singaporeans will continue to enjoy prevailing subsidies under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) at CHAS General Practitioner (GP) clinics.
The above does not affect ART and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, where PHPCs and polyclinics will continue to provide government-funded swabs to eligible symptomatic individuals at no charge.
Cessation of Government-Subsidised Telemedicine care for Individuals on Protocol 2
Currently, individuals under Protocol 2, i.e. mildly symptomatic, low risk, and recovering from home, and who requested for telemedicine care enjoys full subsidy. In line with the above change for PHPCs, from 1 July 2022, 0001 hours, we will revert the subsidy policy to pre-COVID-19 arrangements. Full subsidy for the telemedicine will cease, but Singaporeans will continue to enjoy CHAS subsidies if they visit a CHAS GP clinic for treatment. Individuals under Protocol 1, i.e. those at high medical risk or with severe symptoms, but are discharged home for recovery and under telemedicine surveillance, will continue to enjoy fully subsidised telemedicine care.
Updates to COVID-19 Treatment Coverage in Hospitals
Currently, Singapore Citizens/ Permanent Residents /Long-Term Pass Holders (SC/PR/LTPHs) who seek emergency treatment for COVID-19 in Emergency Departments (ED) of public acute hospitals do not have to pay any ED charges if they are fully vaccinated, or certified to be medically ineligible for vaccination. From 1 July 2022, 0001 hours, this will no longer apply to those who do not require admission after visiting the ED. Those who are assessed to require hospital or COVID-19 Treatment Facility (CTF) admission for COVID-19 treatment will continue to have their ED, inpatient and/or CTF bills fully subsidised by the government, if they are fully vaccinated or certified to be medically ineligible for vaccination. This will help MOH manage the demand for ED services, to those who need them.
Towards COVID-19 Resilience
Our daily caseloads have remained under control even with the significant easing of our community SMMs and border measures. However, new variants will continue to emerge, and we must stay vigilant. As part of ongoing COVID-19 surveillance, the Ministry of Health will continue to monitor for virus strains introduced into and circulating in the community by requiring some infected individuals to take an additional government-funded PCR swab for genomic sequencing. We urge everyone to still take the necessary precautions and remain socially responsible to protect themselves and others, even as we move towards normalcy and living safely with COVID-19.