|
The Pre-Medisave Top-Up Scheme
was introduced in 1996 to help older Singaporeans
who retired before or soon after the introduction
of Medisave to build up their Medisave accounts.
The first three instalments under the Scheme had
been paid in January 1996, January 1997, and January
1998. The last instalment is to be paid in January
1999, subject to the state of the economy. Notwithstanding
the expected slowdown in the economy, I am pleased
to confirm that the Government will pay the final
instalment of the Pre-Medisave Top-Up Scheme in
January 1999 as scheduled.
The top-up will be paid into
the CPF Medisave accounts of eligible Singaporeans
who are 64 years or older on 1 April 1998. As
with the third instalment, the co-payment required
will only be $20, instead of $50 for the first
two instalments. The lower co-payment is to help
as many elderly Singaporeans as possible to benefit
from the scheme while maintaining the principle
that health care should be a joint responsibility
between the individuals, their families and the
Government. Eligible recipients will have to make
the co-payment of $20 between 1 July 1998 and
31 December 1998 into their CPF Medisave Account.
The Government will match this $20 with a contribution
of $100 to $350 depending on the age group. 250,000
senior citizens qualify for this scheme and the
total cost of this, if fully taken up, is $70
million. |
