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S'pore residents permitted to travel can use regular healthcare financing for COVID-19 treatment

A person wearing a protective gear walks next to someone wearing a face mask and gloves at Changi Airport in Singapore on 30 March, 2020. (PHOTO: Reuters)
A person wearing a protective gear walks next to someone wearing a face mask and gloves at Changi Airport in Singapore on 30 March, 2020. (PHOTO: Reuters)

SINGAPORE — From Friday (7 August), all Singapore residents and long-term pass holders travelling abroad under permitted arrangements – including “green lanes” – will be able to tap on regular healthcare financing for their medical bills, should they develop COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days of their return here.

This also applies to those who require hospital admission for suspected COVID-19 infection, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a press release on Thursday.

This means that such Singapore residents – both Singaporeans and permanent residents – will be eligible for government subsidies and MediShield Life or Integrated Shield Plans coverage, and will be required to settle any remaining co-payment.

Long-term pass holders may tap on their prevailing financing arrangements – for instance, foreign worker insurance – where applicable, said the MOH.

Singapore residents and long-term pass holders who are not under permitted travel arrangements and travel in breach of the travel advisories will continue to pay for their COVID-19 inpatient medical bills in full with no access to subsidies and MediShield Life/ Integrated Shield Plan coverage, it added.

Likewise, short-term pass holders entering Singapore under permitted travel arrangements will remain responsible for their medical bills, should they test positive for COVID-19.

The government currently has been bearing the costs of inpatient medical bills for Singaporeans, PRs, and long-term pass holders who require treatment for COVID-19 at public healthcare institutions, except those who breach travel advisories.

From 27 March, Singapore residents and long-term pass holders who travel overseas are required to pay for their own inpatient medical bills in full should they have onset of symptoms within 14 days of returning to Singapore.

They will also not be able to claim from MediShield Life or Integrated Shield Plans in public and private hospitals, should they require COVID-19 inpatient care.

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