New Patient Subsidy Fund
The Bone Marrow Donor Programme (BMDP) introduces a new Patient Subsidy Fund to support costs associated with Matched Unrelated Donor (MUD) Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants as well as Post-Transplant expenses for patients. This funding will be made available with effect from 1 January 2020.
The Patient Subsidy Fund will be part of a range of subsidy schemes by the BMDP, aimed to alleviate patients’ treatment costs and support them through post-transplant expenditures. It will take the form of:
1. Transplant-Related Cost Subsidy
Patients who are Singaporeans or Permanent Residents, holding the CHAS card (Orange or Blue) or under a Medifund case, may be funded for their transplant-related cost (e.g. ward charges, transplant procedures, medications etc) at Public Hospitals. The subsidy will cover up to 50% of the total cost, subject to a cap of $50,000 per patient.
This subsidy is introduced in view of the cost of transplantation and its associated cost that make up a significant part of a patient’s bill, which can go in excess of $100,000 for patients with complications.
2. Post-Transplant Allowances
Patients who are Singaporeans or Permanent Residents, holding the CHAS card (Orange or Blue) or under a Medifund case, may be given $500 per month allowance for up to 12 months from the date of their transplant to support their post-transplant expenditures.
The provision of allowance is introduced in view of the patients’ long recovery process and medical follow-ups following their transplant. For the first few months, patients may be required to have up to three follow-up appointments per week for the medical team to ensure that the patient is healing properly. On average, the journey to recovery before a patient can integrate back into the workforce may take up to 12 months.
The allowance will cease when the patient commences employment or if the patient passes on.
Overview of the Patient Subsidy Fund
The eligibility criteria set out is as follows:
Note: BMDP reserves the right to determine the eligibility and quantum of the funding and may at its sole discretion approve the full amount requested, grant partial subsidy or reject the application.
How to apply?
Please approach your medical team for assistance. Your medical team will send your application to BMDP on your behalf. For more information, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions.
For further enquiries, please email to admin@bmdp.org.
