MOH appoints 14-member panel to review ElderShield

THE Ministry of Health (MOH) has appointed a 14-member ElderShield review committee to study ways to enhance the severe disability insurance scheme, as part of efforts to further strengthen the social safety nets for an ageing population.

The committee is expected to complete the review and submit its recommendations to MOH by end-2017.

It will be chaired by Chaly Mah, who is also chairman of the Singapore Accountancy Commission and former CEO of Deloitte Asia Pacific and South-east Asia.

Among some of the things that the committee will look into include the ElderShield design parameters to ensure adequate and affordable coverage, as well as the trade-offs involved in the review of the parameters such as the balance between benefit enhancements and premium levels.

The existing scheme has been in place since 2002 and was last amended in 2007.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had said in his National Day Rally speech this year that there will be a review to provide better support for Singaporeans who become severely disabled during their old age.