VERIFICATION TYPING SUBSIDY
The Verification Typing (VT) subsidy was introduced in 2016 to offset the costs needed to carry out a second typing of an identified donor’s genetic markers.
Once a potential donor with similar genetic markers or Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) as the patient is identified in the database, a VT is initiated to confirm the typing of the donor’s HLA. This is to ensure that this donor is indeed the best match. At this stage, a patient’s doctor may also request for VT to be performed on more than one donor to select the best option for the patient.
The typical cost of a VT is less than $4,600 and has since covered new patients.
This subsidy is now extended to:
Please refer to the table here for an overview of the revised VT subsidy.
HPC PROCUREMENT SUBSIDY SCHEME
The Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell (HPC) Procurement Subsidy was introduced in 2019 to support the costs involved in procuring bone marrow or blood stem cells (also known as the HPC product). Such costs vary depending on the country of origin of the donor to cover donor medical fees and logistics. It can go up to $75,000 if the HPC product is procured from overseas.
The HPC Procurement Subsidy Scheme comprises of three tiers:
Tier 1 (T1): HPC Procurement Subsidy – A one lump sum subsidy to offset the HPC procurement cost.
Tier 2 (T2): 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. The T2 subsidy quantum is in accordance to the patients’ Ward Class, i.e. the same basis that governs patient subsidies in public hospitals in Singapore.
Tier 3 (T3): Supplementary HPC Procurement Subsidy – This option is for 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 the BMDP’s approval.
This subsidy is now extended to the following groups:
Please refer to the table here for an overview of the revised HPC Procurement Subsidy Scheme.
PATIENT SUBSIDY FUND
The Patient Subsidy Fund supports costs associated with Matched Unrelated Donor transplants as well as post-transplant expenses for patients. It hopes to alleviate patient’s treatment costs and support them through post-transplant expenditures.
It takes the form of:
a. 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 SGD 50,000 per patient.
b. 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 SGD 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 with the medical team to monitor the patient’s condition. 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.
This subsidy is now extended to relapsed patients who have received a Matched Unrelated Donor transplant in the past 5 years. Patients who have previously utilised the Patient Subsidy Fund will also be eligible for this funding. It is not applicable for patients who received haploidentical/related donor transplant.
Please refer to the table here for an overview of the revised VT subsidy.
