LTC Subsidy Enhancements 2026: What Higher Home Care Subsidies Mean for Wound & Ostomy Care in Singapore

If you or a loved one is recovering at home — managing a chronic wound, a new stoma, or post-surgical care — 2026 brings meaningful financial relief. Singapore’s move to strengthen home-based and community care means more households can now access subsidised nursing and therapy visits without leaving the house. Here is what changed, who benefits, and how to keep the supply side of home care affordable too.

What exactly changed on 1 July 2026?

As announced at Budget 2025 and MOH’s Committee of Supply, subsidies for Non-Residential LTC services were enhanced from 1 July 2026 to keep home and community care affordable as Singapore’s population ages. The updated maximum subsidy tiers are:

• Singapore Citizens born in 1969 or earlier: up to 95%
• Other Singapore Citizens: up to 80%
• Permanent Residents: up to 55%

The higher tier for those born in 1969 or earlier reflects the Pioneer and Merdeka generation cohorts, who receive additional support. Actual subsidy depends on household means-testing (more on that below).

Which home care services are covered?

The Non-Residential LTC framework covers twelve service types. The ones most relevant to wound care, ostomy care and post-discharge recovery include:

• Home Nursing — a community nurse visits to change dressings, monitor healing, manage a stoma, or care for catheters and feeding tubes.
• Home Medical — a doctor reviews home-bound patients who cannot easily travel to a clinic.
• Home Therapy and Home Personal Care — physiotherapy, occupational therapy and help with daily activities during recovery.
• Centre-based options such as Centre-Based Nursing, Maintenance Day Care, Dementia Day Care and Meals on Wheels.

These services are typically arranged after discharge from a public hospital such as Singapore General Hospital (SGH), National University Hospital (NUH), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), Changi General Hospital (CGH) or Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, and are coordinated with the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC).

How is the subsidy amount decided?

Subsidies are determined through household means-testing using Monthly Per Capita Household Income (PCHI) — the total household income divided by the number of household members. Lower PCHI bands receive higher subsidies; income above roughly S$4,800 PCHI generally receives no subsidy. For households with no income, the Annual Value (AV) of the home is used instead, with higher-value properties tapering to no subsidy.

You do not need to calculate this yourself. When a home care provider or hospital medical social worker refers you, they help submit the means-test so your subsidy tier is applied automatically.

Do these subsidies cover wound dressings and ostomy bags?

This is the most common point of confusion, so let’s be clear: LTC subsidies fund the care service — the nurse or therapist’s visit — not necessarily the consumable supplies used during care. Items such as foam and alginate dressings, silicone tapes, antiseptic solutions, ostomy pouches, baseplates, barrier rings and skin-barrier powder are generally purchased separately by the patient or family. MediSave and other schemes may apply in specific clinical situations, but many everyday consumables are self-funded.

That is exactly why supply cost matters. A subsidised nurse may visit twice a week, but the dressing changes in between are managed at home. Sourcing authentic, correctly matched supplies at a fair price protects both healing outcomes and the household budget.

How can families keep the supply side affordable?

A few practical habits make a real difference:

• Match the dressing to the wound. Using the right category — foam for moderate-to-heavy exudate, alginate for bleeding or cavity wounds, hydrogel for dry or sloughy wounds — reduces wastage and speeds healing. EMIS+ organises products by wound type to make this easier.
• Buy authentic, HSA-relevant products. Counterfeit or expired supplies risk skin breakdown and infection. EMIS+ stocks brands routinely used by Singapore hospitals and polyclinics.
• Plan ahead for stoma and post-discharge consumables. Running out mid-week is stressful and expensive. Coordinated, scheduled resupply avoids last-minute pharmacy runs.
• Ask your home nurse what to stock. Your community nurse can list exactly which sizes and types to keep on hand between visits.

EMIS+ is a Singapore, nurse-led medical supply store. Our team includes certified wound, ostomy and continence nursing specialists who can help you select the right products to complement your subsidised home care — and our Care Membership coordinates scheduled resupply of dressings, ostomy and post-discharge consumables through a nurse case manager.

What should I do next?

If you are arranging home care in 2026: speak to the medical social worker at your hospital or polyclinic before discharge, or contact AIC to be matched with a subsidised home care provider. Then plan your consumables so recovery at home is smooth and uninterrupted. For authentic wound care, ostomy and home healthcare supplies delivered across Singapore, browse emis.asia.

This article is general information, not medical or financial advice. Subsidy tiers and eligibility are set by MOH and may be updated; confirm your specific entitlement with MOH, AIC or your care provider. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist or nurse for care and product decisions.

Frequently asked questions

When did the enhanced LTC subsidies take effect?
The enhanced Non-Residential LTC subsidies took effect on 1 July 2026, following announcements at Budget 2025 and MOH’s Committee of Supply.

What is the highest home care subsidy I can get?
Singapore Citizens born in 1969 or earlier can receive up to 95%, other Singapore Citizens up to 80%, and Permanent Residents up to 55%, subject to means-testing by Monthly Per Capita Household Income.

Does the subsidy pay for my wound dressings or ostomy bags?
Generally no. LTC subsidies cover the care service (such as a home nursing visit), while day-to-day consumables like dressings and ostomy pouches are usually self-funded. MediSave or other schemes may apply in specific clinical cases — check with your provider.

How do I apply for subsidised home nursing in Singapore?
Ask the medical social worker at your hospital or polyclinic, or contact the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC). They arrange the referral and means-test so your subsidy is applied automatically.

Where can I buy authentic wound care and ostomy supplies in Singapore?
EMIS+ (emis.asia) is a Singapore nurse-led store offering authentic wound dressings, ostomy care and home healthcare supplies with clinical guidance and delivery across the country.