the following letter is published in today's forum page of the straits times:
Mar 17, 2011
Higher premium option won't work
THERE are practical difficulties to Mr Tan Kin Lian's suggestion ('Remove uncertain component of means testing in MediShield use'; March 8) which advocates getting policyholders to 'pay a slightly higher premium to be excluded from (being subjected to) this pro-ration formula'.
First, policyholders may not agree to the higher premium. Second, whether the premium will really be only 'slightly higher' will depend on the take-up rate of this proposed variation in MediShield policy.
In fact, as pointed out by Mr Tan, the current system is already designed to provide this variation through private integrated Shield plans. Those who are well-off and will face means testing can purchase these plans to protect against this uncertainty.
Under our current approach, all policyholders of the same age band and gender pay the ......
the following letter is published in today's forum page of the straits times:
Mar 17, 2011
Higher premium option won't work
THERE are practical difficulties to Mr Tan Kin Lian's suggestion ('Remove uncertain component of means testing in MediShield use'; March 8) which advocates getting policyholders to 'pay a slightly higher premium to be excluded from (being subjected to) this pro-ration formula'.
First, policyholders may not agree to the higher premium. Second, whether the premium will really be only 'slightly higher' will depend on the take-up rate of this proposed variation in MediShield policy.
In fact, as pointed out by Mr Tan, the current system is already designed to provide this variation through private integrated Shield plans. Those who are well-off and will face means testing can purchase these plans to protect against this uncertainty.
Under our current approach, all policyholders of the same age band and gender pay the ......
