HPC PROCUREMENT SUBSIDY SCHEME

From 1 January 2020, Bone Marrow Donor Programme (BMDP) is extending its Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells (HPC) Procurement Subsidy Scheme to foreign spouses of Singaporean or Permanent Resident seeking treatment in Singapore.

There are 3 tiers of subsidies available for patients:

Tier 1: HPC Procurement Subsidy – A lump sum will be provided to patients to offset the HPC product cost. This is applicable for patients seeking treatment in both private and public hospitals.

Tier 2: Additional HPC Procurement Subsidy – In addition to T1 subsidy, patients may be eligible to apply for T2 subsidy, which subsidises up to 65% of the total HPC product cost. T2 subsidy is provided according to Ward Classes, i.e. the same basis that governs patient subsidies in public hospitals in Singapore.

Tier 3: Supplementary HPC Procurement Subsidy – This option is for needy patients staying in subsidised wards (B2 and below) and can cover up to 100% of HPC product cost, subject to recommendation put forth by an accredited Medical Social Worker (MSW) and BMDP’s approval

In the extension of HPC Procurement Subsidy Scheme, foreign spouses of Singaporean or Permanent Resident will now be eligible to apply for Tier 2 Subsidy, subject to the patient’s eligibility and recommendation from the hospital’s MSW.

With the HPC Procurement Subsidy Scheme,

• Singaporean / Permanent Resident patients can receive up to 100% subsidy for the procurement of the HPC product
• Foreign Spouse to Singaporean / Permanent Resident can receive up to 60% subsidy for the procurement of the HPC product

Below are three examples to illustrate the computation of subsidies provided to patients:

PATIENT SUBSIDY FUND

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:

1. Patient must be a Singaporean or a Singapore Permanent Resident
2. Patient must be a holder of the CHAS card (Orange or Blue) or a Medifund Case
3. Recommendation for subsidy must be made by an accredited Medical Social Worker

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.