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Medifund
Medifund is an endowment fund set up by
the Government as a safety net to help poor and indigent
Singaporeans pay for their medical care.
Medifund is meant to be a help of last
resort for patients who, despite heavy Government subsidies,
Medisave and MediShield, are unable to pay for their medical
expenses. Singaporean patients receiving inpatient treatment
in B2 or C Class wards or subsidised outpatient treatment
in the public hospitals may apply for help from Medifund.
With effect from 1 April 2001, the scheme has been extended
to Voluntary Welfare Organisation-run residential step-down
care facilities.
Singaporeans who are in financial difficulties
can approach the Medical Social Worker in the hospitals
for assistance. The Medical social Worker manages various
assistance schemes such as Medifund to help patients in
financial difficulties pay their medical bills. They will
assess your circumstances and recommend the appropriate
financial assistance. Applications for Medifund can also
be made through the Medical Social Worker.
For the list of Medical Social Workers
in the hospitals, please click here.
As at September 2002, 17 Voluntary Welfare
organisations have been Medifund accredited. For patients
in these step-down care facilities, they may approach the
staff directly.
For a list of Medifund accredited voluntary
welfare organisations, please click here.
Applications for Medifund assistance will
be considered by Medifund Committees. Medifund committee
members are individuals who are actively involved in community
or social work and who would be familiar with the needs
and problems of the lower income groups. The amount of help
each applicant receives from the Medifund will depend on
individual circumstances.
Many Singaporeans have benefited from Medifund
since its inception. In FY2001, about 157,200 Medifund applications
were considered, 156,800 of which were approved. The amount
of Medifund assistance amounted to S$27.2 million. Of this,
60.4% was given to assist Class B2/C inpatients, 38.7% to
assist subsidised outpatients and the remaining 0.9% was
used by the Voluntary Welfare organisations.
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