Latest news with #PioneerGeneration
The Star
11 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
S'poreans can test for genetic condition causing high cholesterol levels under new programme
The new genetic testing programme for familial hypercholesterolaemia comes amid broader efforts to enhance preventive care in Singapore. - AFP SINGAPORE: Eligible Singapore residents will be able to screen for a genetic condition which causes high cholesterol levels at a subsidised rate as part of a nationwide programme launching on June 30. In a statement on June 19, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that the new genetic testing programme for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) comes amid broader efforts to enhance preventive care in Singapore. The initiative aims to identify individuals with FH early and reduce the risk of premature heart disease with timely interventions. FH is a hereditary condition that impacts the body's ability to process cholesterol, affecting roughly 20,000 people in Singapore. People with the condition are up to 20 times more likely to experience heart attacks at a younger age compared with the general population. In a Facebook post on June 19, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that the Government is looking to expand preventive care based on genetic testing to more diseases beyond FH. 'It is part of our longer term effort to develop predictive preventive care under Healthier SG,' he said. As part of this effort, the ministry aims to open three genomic assessment centres (GACs) to ensure effective, efficient and sustainable delivery of genetic testing services within each healthcare cluster. Genetics testing for FH at these centres will be subsidised for eligible Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PRs). They can also tap on MediSave to offset the cost. Those referred to GACs will undergo: Pre-test genetic counselling to understand potential outcomes and benefits before consenting to the test Blood drawing and the genetic test Post-test genetic counselling, to understand the implications of the results The first GAC will be operated by SingHealth and located at the National Heart Centre. It will start accepting referrals from June 30. This centre will serve all Singapore residents until additional centres open. GACs operated by National Healthcare Group and National University Health System will subsequently open to cater to residents' needs. Immediate family members of those found with the condition are at risk and encouraged to undergo genetic testing, MOH said. Known as cascade screening, this process enables early detection of FH within families. It also allows for more timely intervention and treatment, such as advising them to adopt healthier lifestyles or starting on cholesterol-lowering therapies. Under the programme, Singapore citizens and PRs with abnormally high cholesterol levels may be referred by their doctors for genetic testing. Eligible Singaporeans and PRs can receive subsidies of up to 70 per cent for the costs, which include the genetic tests, pre-test and post-test counselling, and phlebotomy services. Seniors from the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation are also eligible for additional subsidies. After subsidies, referred patients can expect to pay between US$117 (US$91.06) and US$575. Those eligible for cascade screening can expect to pay between US$53 and US$253 after subsidies. The MediSave500 and MediSave700 scheme can be used to further offset the cost of the genetic test after subsidies. Patients who are 60 years old and above may also use Flexi-MediSave to further defray out-of-pocket costs. Under a moratorium on genetic testing and insurance introduced by MOH and the Life Insurance Association Singapore (LIA) in 2021, life insurers here are banned from using predictive genetic test results in assessing the outcome of insurance applications, unless certain criteria are satisfied. Insurers are also not allowed to use genetic test results from biomedical research or direct-to-consumer genetic test results. MOH said it has worked with the LIA to amend the moratorium to disallow life insurers in Singapore to use the results of all genetic tests conducted under the national FH genetic testing programme. They may, however, continue to request for individuals to disclose existing diagnosed conditions and family history. The amended moratorium will take effect from June 30. - The Straits Times/ANN
Independent Singapore
4 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
MOF: 300,000 Pioneer Generation Seniors will receive MediSave top-ups in July 2025
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced on Monday (Jun 16) that around 300,000 Pioneer Generation (PG) seniors will receive MediSave top-ups next month. In total, these top-ups amount to more than S$160 million. About 300,000 Pioneers will receive top-ups of up to S$1,400. These yearly top-ups are being given in addition to the annual GST Voucher – MediSave top-ups for eligible Singaporeans aged 65 and above. The top-up is automatically credited to eligible Pioneers' Central Provident Fund (CPF) MediSave Accounts. MediSave is Singapore's medical savings scheme geared toward helping people put aside a portion of their income to pay for their healthcare needs during their senior years. It is also used for their or their approved dependents' hospitalisation, day surgery, and certain outpatient expenses. It can be used to pay the premiums for MediShield Life, CareShield Life, ElderShield, and other MediSave-approved insurance plans. More information on the PG Package is available here . Should Pioneers wish to clarify anything, they may call 1800-2222-888 for the PG Package or 1800-650-6060 for healthcare matters. They may do so by sending an email to [email protected]. See also NTUC FairPrice to boost safe distancing for vulnerable groups 'Following the MediShield Life 2024 Review, Pioneers will receive more annual MediSave top-ups of S$300 to S$1,200 in July 2025 as compared to S$250 to S$900 in 2024. In addition, older Pioneers born in 1939 and earlier who have serious pre-existing conditions will receive further top-ups of S$50 or S$200 to help pay their higher MediSave Life premiums,' MOF said. To break this down even further, for Singaporeans aged 91 or older (born 1934 or earlier), those with a serious pre-existing condition will receive an additional S$200, for a total of S$1,400. Those without a serious pre-existing condition will receive S$1,200. For those between the ages of 86 and 90 (born between 1935 and 1939), seniors with a serious pre-existing condition will receive an additional S$50, for a total of S$750, while those without a serious pre-existing condition will receive S$700. Seniors aged 81 to 85 (born between 1940 and 1944) will receive a top-up of S$500, while those aged 76 to 80 (born between 1945 and 1949) will receive a top-up of S$300. MOF also explained that those born earlier will receive a higher top-up amount, as they typically have smaller savings than younger members of the PG. Given this, they may require additional assistance with their annual MediShield Life premiums. 'Together with special premium subsidies for Pioneers, these annual MediSave top-ups will continue to keep MediShield Life premiums affordable for all Pioneers. 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,' the ministry added. By Wednesday (Jun 18), Pioneers who have registered their mobile numbers with Singpass before Jun 2 should receive an SMS concerning the top-up amount they are eligible for. The remaining Pioneers will receive the notification letters by the end of this month. MOF added that the SMS notification sent by ' will only inform Pioneers of their benefits as a safeguard against scams. No reply to the SMS is required, and neither will recipients be asked to provide any information. The ministry also reminded the public that government officials will never ask them to transfer money or reveal their bank login details over a phone call. 'Members of the public can call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 if they are unsure if something is a scam,' MOF said. /TISG Read also: In Parliament: Pritam Singh suggests extending use of MediSave for more TCM procedures and other effective alternative therapies
AsiaOne
4 days ago
- 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
4 days ago
- 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
4 days ago
- 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.
