MediShield to automatically cover all newborns, children

March 6, 2007, 4.30 pm (Singapore time)

MediShield to automatically cover all newborns, children

By Ng Kai Ling, ST Interactive Reporter

NEWBORNS and children will be automatically covered under MediShield later this year unless their parents opt not to, under the Government's 'auto-cover' where an annual premium of $30 will be deducted from the Medisave account of either the father or the mother.

The move is expected to affect some 390,000 young Singaporeans below the age of 20.

Children entering Primary One will also come under this opt-out scheme starting next year. Their annual premiums will also be deducted from their parents' Medisave accounts.

For older children still in school, there will be a one-off exercise to get them under the scheme.

This was announced on Wednesday by Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, who expressed concern that young Singaporeans below 20 years of age are not insured.

'The premium at their age is inexpensive, only $30 per year. And young parents can use their Baby Bonus to pay for the premium so cost is not an issue,' Mr Khaw said during the Budget debate for his ministry estimates and programmes.

'MediShield coverage from young will give parents the peace of mind that, should their children develop any illnesses as they grow up, they will have insurance coverage for such illnesses and the subsequent treatment,' he added.

Mr Khaw said that once the majority of children here are covered, he will turn his attention to the 100,000 or so housewives who are uninsured.

Finally protection for the newborn! There are so many stories where newborns with birth defects are uninsurable! These parents having a tough time paying for the hefty medical bills, which range from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The issue now is what about those newborns which have birth defects? Can they be insured under MediShield with their pre-existing conditions? Check the fine print! But at least it spells hope for those newborns fighting to live, and parents fighting to pay for medical treatment.