Latest news with #MediShieldLife
Online Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- Online Citizen
20,000 affected by HOMES means-testing error; MOH correcting inaccurate subsidies
About 20,000 individuals in Singapore have been impacted by a processing issue in the Household Means Eligibility System (HOMES), according to a statement released by the Ministry of Health (MOH) on 21 July 2025. The glitch, which occurred in January 2025, resulted in inaccurate means-testing for individuals with business incomes and their household members. Most affected received higher-than-intended subsidies and grants, while a smaller group received less than they were entitled to. HOMES, which is managed by MOH, uses income information from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) to determine subsidy eligibility. However, changes in data processing timelines in January 2025 caused the system to miscalculate business incomes. As a result, means-testing was inaccurate for individuals and households assessed between 1 January and 27 January. MOH schemes see bulk of impact; reassessments and adjustments underway According to MOH, about 19,000 people under its schemes were affected. Another 1,000 people under schemes administered by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), Ministry of Education (MOE), and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) were also impacted. MOH stated that HOMES provides means-testing results for various government subsidy schemes. Despite the number affected, MOH said they account for less than 3 per cent of all individuals means-tested in that period. Corrections have now begun, with reassessment of affected cases completed. MOH confirmed that from 21 July 2025, subsidy and grant tiers will be adjusted to reflect intended levels. Individuals who received higher subsidies will not have to repay any excess. Those who received less than intended will be reimbursed, with payments expected to be completed by November 2025. The affected MOH schemes include CareShield Life and MediShield Life premium subsidies and Additional Premium Support (APS). Individuals will receive the correct subsidies at their next policy renewal, while APS recipients will maintain premium coverage based on approved validity. Letters will be sent to all impacted individuals, who are not required to take any action. Under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), affected cardholders will receive letters detailing necessary steps. For subsidies related to long-term care services, adjustments will be reflected in the next billing cycle or payout date. Schemes like the Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund, Equipment Rental Scheme, Home Caregiving Grant and ElderFund are also impacted. Notices of adjusted subsidies or payouts will be sent to those affected. Subsidies for day surgeries, inpatient services, specialist outpatient clinics, polyclinic drugs and vaccines, and community hospital services will also be corrected. Public healthcare institutions will inform impacted individuals and adjust bills from July 2025 onwards. Where applicable, reimbursements will be issued automatically. Non-MOH schemes also affected; corrections to start from 22 July Non-MOH schemes have also been affected by the HOMES processing issue. For ECDA schemes, affected parents, preschools, and early intervention centres will be informed of adjusted subsidies from 22 July. Corrected subsidies will take effect from August 2025. Under the DigitalAccess@Home Scheme managed by IMDA, households affected will be notified from 22 July. Households that were under-subsidised will receive reimbursements automatically. Those who received higher subsidies will retain them for the remainder of their current DAH award validity. Their eligibility will be reassessed upon new applications. MOE will ensure affected students receiving higher education bursaries are informed through their Institutes of Higher Learning. No action is required from students. For children in MOE Kindergarten Care (KCare), corrected subsidies will apply from August 2025. Under MSF's Enabling Transport Subsidy, Taxi Subsidy Scheme, and Assistive Technology Fund, SG Enable will work with service providers to inform affected individuals from 22 July. Corrected subsidies will apply from August 2025. MOH emphasised that all affected individuals will be contacted progressively and no action is needed on their part. The ministry said the incident arose from a one-time misalignment in data processing timelines and added that measures will be taken to prevent similar issues in future.
New Paper
30-06-2025
- Business
- New Paper
300,000 S'poreans from Pioneer Generation to receive up to $1,200 in MediSave top-ups in July
Around 300,000 Singaporeans from the Pioneer Generation will receive MediSave top-ups ranging from $300 to $1,200 in July. This will amount to over $160 million in total, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in a statement on June 16. The 2025 top-up amount is higher than the $250 to $900 they received in 2024, following a review of MediShield Life, added the ministry. These top-ups can be used to pay the premiums for MediShield Life, CareShield Life, ElderShield and other MediSave-approved insurance plans, as well as medical expenses such as hospitalisation, day surgical procedures and selected outpatient treatments. The top-ups will be given on top of the annual GST vouchers for Singaporeans aged 65 and above. Singaporeans born between 1945 and 1949 will get $300, and those born between 1940 and 1944 will get $500. Those born between 1935 and 1939 will receive $700, and those born in 1934 or earlier will get $1,200. Furthermore, older Pioneers born in 1939 and earlier who have serious pre-existing conditions will receive further top-ups of $50 or $200 to help pay their higher MediSave Life premiums. Pioneers who were born earlier can expect larger MediSave top-up amounts as they typically have less savings than younger members of the Pioneer Generation, MOF said, adding that they may need more help with their annual MediShield Life premiums. The top-up will automatically be credited to eligible Pioneers' CPF MediSave Accounts. The Pioneer Generation Package was introduced in 2014 to honour and thank this group of Singaporeans for their contributions during the country's early years. MOF assured that older pioneers aged 91 and above will also continue to see their MediShield Life premiums fully covered, while younger pioneers will have about two-thirds of their premiums covered. Pioneers who have registered their mobile numbers with Singpass before June 2 will receive an SMS by June 18 notifying them of the top-up amount they are eligible for. The rest of the Pioneers will receive notification letters by end-June. To guard against scams, the SMS will inform seniors only of their benefits and will not ask for a reply or any information. No messages on the Pioneer Generation benefits will be sent via WhatsApp nor other such messaging platforms, said the ministry. More details on the Pioneer Generation Package can be found at this website. Those with inquiries can also call 1800-222-2888 or 1800-650-6060. They can also e-mail contactus@
AsiaOne
16-06-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
Up to $1,200 in MediSave top-ups for Pioneer Generation Singaporeans in July, Singapore News
About 300,000 Pioneer Generation Singaporeans will receive MediSave top-ups amounting to over $160 million in July. In a statement released on Monday (June 16), the Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced that the annual Pioneer Generation MediSave top-ups are provided on top of the regular GST Voucher for eligible Singaporeans aged 65 and above. Eligible Pioneers will receive enhanced annual top-ups ranging from $300 to $1,200 in July, up from $250 to $900 in 2024. Older Pioneers born in 1939 or earlier with serious pre-existing conditions will also receive additional top-ups of $50 or $200 to help cover higher MediShield Life premiums. "Pioneers born earlier generally receive larger MediSave top-ups as they typically have less savings than younger members of the generation and may need more support with their annual health insurance premiums," the ministry said. The top-up will be automatically credited to the CPF MediSave Accounts of eligible Pioneers. MediSave funds can be used to pay premiums for MediShield Life, CareShield Life, ElderShield, and other MediSave-approved insurance plans. They can also be used for medical expenses, such as hospitalisation, day surgeries, and selected outpatient treatments. "Together with special premium subsidies for Pioneers, these annual MediSave top-ups will continue to keep MediShield Life premiums affordable for all Pioneers," MOF added. "Older Pioneers aged 91 and above in 2025 will continue to see their MediShield Life premiums fully covered while younger pioneers will have about two-thirds of their MediShield Life premiums covered." Pioneers who have registered their mobile numbers with Singpass before June 2, will receive an SMS by June 18, informing them of their top-up amount. The rest will receive notification letters by the end of June. To safeguard against scams, the SMS will only inform Pioneers of their benefits. Recipients will not be asked to reply or provide any personal information. The Government has reminded the public that officials will never request bank login details or money transfers over the phone. For more information, members of the public can visit or email contactus@ with their enquiries. [[nid:712679]]
CNA
16-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
About 300,000 Pioneer Generation seniors to receive MediSave top-ups in July
SINGAPORE: Around 300,000 Pioneer Generation seniors will receive MediSave top-ups totalling over S$160 million (US$125 million) next month, said the Ministry of Finance on Monday (Jun 16). In a press release, MOF said the annual Pioneer Generation MediSave top-ups are given in addition to the annual GST Voucher-MediSave top-ups for eligible Singaporeans aged 65 and above. Following the Medishield Life 2024 Review, MOF said that eligible pioneers will receive higher annual MediSave top-ups of S$300 to S$1,200 in July this year, compared to the S$250 to S$900 received in 2024. Those aged 86 or older who have serious pre-existing conditions will also receive further top-ups of S$50 or S$200 to help pay their higher MediSave Life premiums. Pioneers who were born earlier receive larger MediSave top-up amounts as they typically have less savings than younger members of the Pioneer Generation, and may need more help with their annual MediShield Life premiums, the finance ministry added. MediSave can be used to pay the premiums for MediShield Life, CareShield Life, ElderShield and other MediSave-approved insurance plans, as well as medical expenses such as hospitalisation, day surgeries, and selected outpatient treatments. The MediSave top-up will be automatically credited to the eligible Pioneers' CPF MediSave Accounts. "Together with special premium subsidies for Pioneers, these annual MediSave top-ups will continue to keep MediShield Life premiums affordable for all Pioneers," said MOF. "Older Pioneers aged 91 and above in 2025 will continue to see their MediShield Life premiums fully covered. Younger Pioneers will have about two-thirds of their MediShield Life premiums covered." Pioneers who have registered their mobile numbers with Singpass before Jun 2 will receive an SMS by Jun 18, notifying them of the amount of top-up they are eligible for. Those who have not registered their mobile numbers with Singpass will receive the notification letters by the end of June. To protect seniors from scams, the SMS notification, which would be sent by " will only inform eligible seniors of their benefits. Seniors will not be asked to reply to the SMS or provide any information to the sender.
Straits Times
16-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
300,000 S'poreans from Pioneer Generation to receive up to $1,200 in MediSave top-ups in July
The top-ups will be given on top of the annual GST vouchers for Singaporeans aged 65 and above. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY 300,000 S'poreans from Pioneer Generation to receive up to $1,200 in MediSave top-ups in July SINGAPORE - Around 300,000 Singaporeans from the Pioneer Generation will receive MediSave top-ups ranging from $300 to $1,200 in July. This will amount to over $160 million in total, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in a statement on June 16. This year's top-up amount is higher than the $250 to $900 they received in 2024, following a review of MediShield Life, added the ministry. These top-ups can be used to pay the premiums for MediShield Life, CareShield Life, ElderShield and other MediSave-approved insurance plans, as well as medical expenses such as hospitalisation, day surgeries, and selected outpatient treatments. The top-ups will be given on top of the annual GST vouchers for Singaporeans aged 65 and above. Singaporeans born between 1945 and 1949 will get $300, and those born between 1940 and 1944 will get $500. Those born between 1935 and 1939 will receive $700, and those born in 1934 or earlier will get $1200. Furthermore, older Pioneers born in 1939 and earlier who have serious pre-existing conditions will receive further top-ups of $50 or $200 to help pay their higher MediSave Life premiums. Pioneers who were born earlier can expect larger MediSave top-up amounts as they typically have less savings than younger members of the Pioneer Generation, MOF said, adding that they may need more help with their annual MediShield Life premiums. The top-up will automatically be credited to eligible Pioneers' CPF MediSave Accounts. The Pioneer Generation Package was introduced in 2014 to honour and thank this group of Singaporeans for their contributions during the country's early years. MOF assured that older pioneers aged 91 and above will also continue to see their MediShield Life premiums fully covered, while younger pioneers will have about two-thirds covered. Eligible seniors who have downloaded and set up their Singpass – a digital identity app for Singaporeans – will receive notifications on their top-up amount by . Those without the app but who have registered their mobile numbers with Singpass before June 2 will receive an SMS by June 18 to inform them of the amount they are eligible for. The rest of the seniors will receive letters by the end of June. SOURCE: MOF To guard against scams, the SMS will inform seniors only of their benefits and will not ask for a reply or any information. No messages on the Pioneer Generation benefits will be sent via WhatsApp or other such messaging platforms, said the ministry. More details on the Pioneer Generation Package can be found at this website. Those with inquiries can also call 1800-222-2888 or 1800-650-6060. They can also e-mail contactus@ Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
