Subsidies for COVID-19 Care to Revert to Standard Healthcare Frameworks
SINGAPORE: With the nation steadily transitioning back to normalcy and adopting COVID-19 as an endemic disease, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Friday (Jun 10) that it will revise its financing schemes for COVID-19 treatments. This adjustment reflects the scaling back of subsidies implemented during the pandemic.
Since the onset of COVID-19, the government provided extensive subsidies, including free or low-cost treatments, to support citizens. These measures went beyond Singapore’s existing healthcare financing frameworks, which include Government Subsidies, MediSave, MediShield Life, and MediFund (S+3Ms).
“As life reverts to normal, we will progressively reduce these pandemic-specific subsidies and transition back to the S+3Ms framework,” MOH stated in a press release.
Changes to Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) and Polyclinics
From Jul 1, subsidies for respiratory infection treatments at PHPCs and polyclinics will return to pre-pandemic levels. Patients will no longer pay the flat subsidised rates of S$10 for Singapore residents or S$5 for Pioneer and Merdeka Generation seniors. Instead, subsidies under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) at CHAS GP clinics will apply.
Despite these changes, government-funded antigen rapid tests (ARTs) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests will remain available at no cost for eligible symptomatic individuals at PHPCs and polyclinics.
Adjustments to Telemedicine Services
Currently, fully subsidised telemedicine care is available for individuals under Protocol 2—those who are mildly symptomatic, low-risk, and recovering at home. From Jul 1, this subsidy will cease, aligning telemedicine costs with pre-COVID-19 arrangements. However, CHAS subsidies will remain available for those seeking treatment at CHAS GP clinics.
For individuals under Protocol 1—high-risk or severely symptomatic cases recovering at home—fully subsidised telemedicine services will continue.
Changes to Emergency Department Coverage
Presently, fully vaccinated individuals or those medically ineligible for vaccination do not pay emergency department charges for COVID-19 treatment. Starting Jul 1, this exemption will no longer apply to those who do not require hospital admission after visiting the emergency department.
Those assessed to require hospitalisation or admission to COVID-19 treatment facilities will continue receiving full subsidies for emergency, inpatient, and treatment facility charges.
Maintaining Vigilance Against New Variants
MOH will continue monitoring new virus strains through government-funded PCR tests for genomic sequencing among selected individuals. While daily case numbers have remained manageable despite eased restrictions, MOH urged the public to maintain social responsibility and precautions.
“As we move towards living safely with COVID-19, it is essential to protect ourselves and others,” the ministry emphasised.
