Limit of $800 on Shield insurance

Hi Mr Tan
Recently my father (who is now 78 year old) received a letter from income to pay a sum of $400 plus in cash due to medisave can deduct up to maximum of $800 only. That meant the premium of this policy is $1200 plus per year for Medishield Plan B.

Usually I will help to pay for my father, but from the past years only need to pay $200 plus but this time might be due to age group different need to pay higher( $400 plus ).

Why does Medisave set a limit of $800, as senior citizens sure have problem paying in cash. How Do you think about this kind of policy?

REPLY
Your father can move to Medishield and pay a lower premium (compared to private Shield) up to age 80.
Beyond age 80, there is no point in going for expensive health care, as it is not likely to do much for an elderly patient - as it can be very costly, whether as insurance or paid out of Medisave.

Elderly patients (and their family members) should decide on what can or cannot be done, rather than spend the money unnecessarily in medical fees. Insurance may encourage people to spend unnecessarily. There is no point in treating certain illness at an advanced age.