For example, to be approved, the healthcare facility must have a valid license under the Healthcare Services Act 2020.

In addition, a new concept of “claimable medical treatment or services” aims to ensure that the scheme only covers medical treatment or services provided by authorized medical facilities in accordance with the scope of their approval.

The bill also sought to refine provisions to support premium recovery efforts, such as disseminating notices upon request through other means such as email.

Among other proposed changes were specifying MediShield Life premiums in a more accessible way, such as on the Ministry of Health website, in a bid to improve administration of the scheme.

WHY MATTER

Ms Rahayu said changes in the provision of ambulatory, community and home healthcare, as well as the need to improve scheme administration, warranted changes to existing legislation.

Taken together, the changes will allow MediShield Life to respond to emerging care models while allowing for more “targeted” approvals, as well as suspensions and revocations of approvals for providers and claimable medical treatments and services.

“This will strengthen the accountability of approved medical facilities and ensure compliance with the claims guidelines for MediShield Life,” Mr Rahayu said.

On premium recovery, Mr Rahayu said any premiums due that cannot be recovered will affect the sustainability of the MediShield Life Fund and ultimately affect the scheme’s ability to honor its claims.

If left uncollected, these debts will have to be borne by other policyholders in the form of higher premiums, she said.