HI Preventive Health and Wellness 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the National Health Survey and why is it important for health insurance in Singapore?
- A customer satisfaction survey for hospitals
- A periodic survey measuring the health status of Singaporeans, providing data on disease prevalence that informs health insurance policy and premiums (Correct answer)
- A survey about hospital facilities
- A survey conducted by private insurers
Correct answer: A periodic survey measuring the health status of Singaporeans, providing data on disease prevalence that informs health insurance policy and premiums
The National Health Survey, conducted by MOH, measures disease prevalence, risk factors, and health behaviours of Singaporeans. This data helps shape health policies, insurance product design, and premium calculations.
Question 2: What is Singapore's approach to managing healthcare costs through the 'co-payment' principle?
- The government pays everything
- Patients share costs with the government and insurers to encourage responsible healthcare usage and prevent over-consumption (Correct answer)
- Patients pay everything themselves
- Co-payment is only for private hospitals
Correct answer: Patients share costs with the government and insurers to encourage responsible healthcare usage and prevent over-consumption
Singapore's healthcare philosophy requires patients to share costs (through deductibles, co-insurance, and co-payment) to prevent over-consumption and moral hazard while ensuring affordability through subsidies and insurance.
Question 3: What is the 'war on diabetes' campaign and its implications for health insurance in Singapore?
- A military exercise
- A national campaign to combat the rising diabetes prevalence through education, screening, and prevention, affecting insurance claims and premiums (Correct answer)
- A campaign by pharmaceutical companies
- A campaign limited to hospitals
Correct answer: A national campaign to combat the rising diabetes prevalence through education, screening, and prevention, affecting insurance claims and premiums
Singapore declared a 'war on diabetes' due to rising prevalence (around 1 in 9 adults). The campaign promotes prevention through diet, exercise, and screening, with implications for healthcare costs and insurance claims.
Question 4: How does Singapore's ageing population affect health insurance?
- Ageing has no impact on insurance
- An ageing population increases healthcare demand and costs, leading to higher insurance premiums, greater Medisave utilisation, and need for long-term care insurance (Correct answer)
- Only affects pension funds
- Only affects public transport
Correct answer: An ageing population increases healthcare demand and costs, leading to higher insurance premiums, greater Medisave utilisation, and need for long-term care insurance
Singapore's rapidly ageing population (23% will be 65+ by 2030) increases healthcare needs, driving up insurance claims and premiums. This prompted CareShield Life for long-term care and Healthier SG for prevention.
Question 5: What role does telemedicine play in Singapore's health insurance landscape?
- Telemedicine is not allowed in Singapore
- Telemedicine is increasingly covered by health insurance for consultations, with regulations evolving to include teleconsultation under Medisave and MediShield Life for approved conditions (Correct answer)
- Only for overseas patients
- Only during pandemics
Correct answer: Telemedicine is increasingly covered by health insurance for consultations, with regulations evolving to include teleconsultation under Medisave and MediShield Life for approved conditions
Following COVID-19, telemedicine has been integrated into Singapore's healthcare system. MAS and MOH are progressively including teleconsultation coverage under insurance schemes and Medisave for approved conditions.
Question 6: What is the Medisave500/700 scheme for outpatient expenses?
- A savings account with SGD 500/700
- A scheme allowing annual Medisave withdrawals of up to SGD 500 (under 60) or SGD 700 (60 and above) for approved chronic disease outpatient treatments (Correct answer)
- A one-time grant
- A hospital deposit scheme
Correct answer: A scheme allowing annual Medisave withdrawals of up to SGD 500 (under 60) or SGD 700 (60 and above) for approved chronic disease outpatient treatments
Under the Chronic Disease Management Programme, patients can withdraw up to SGD 500/year (below 60) or SGD 700/year (60 and above) from Medisave for outpatient treatment of approved chronic conditions.
HI Preventive Health and Wellness 2
What is the National Health Survey and why is it important for health insurance in Singapore?