What's there not to like?
A long-time reader of my blog asked me to comment on Medishield Life (MSL) (MOH link here, here and here) from a doctor’s view-point.
LOL- the assumption was that doctors understand Medishield more than the lay-person.
Truth be told- many of us, docs, do not fully comprehend the soon to be defunct Medishield as it was irrelevant to us (esply in the private healthcare system). When asked by many patients how this 2nd of the 3M ie (Medisave/Medishield/Medifund) was relevant to their impending surgery/hospitalization… I just truthfully say- “it is irrelevant to you ( in private hospital with elective ENT condition) as it does not affect you”.
The high “deductibles” plus the “co-insurance” portions means that when the final invoice is issued- little (if any) Medishield funds will be disbursed in most private hospital scenarios. Please do not be confused with the Private Integrated Plan ( enhanced private scheme that supplements Medishield).
Private hospital healthcare is very expensive and as Medishield is designed for the public hospitals’ B2/C wards in mind, the payout portion is miniscule compared to the total private hospital bill and even if disbursed, it will be such a negligible portion of the total bill as to be meaningless.
Friends- I hope that you do not think me as condescending … but if you think public healthcare is expensive, you have not seen anything yet. That is why we must do something to ensure healthcare remains affordable to Singaporeans … in both public and private healthcare sectors. Did you know that public hospitals often act as pricing signal for the private sector? Many procedures/investigations cost more in the public hospitals. Hard to believe?
Also- don’t confuse MSL with CPF Life or with the debate about CPF payouts or even with the court case about the PM and Roy.
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