THREE in 4 Medisave withdrawals were below the $300 annual limit under the Chronic Disease Management Programme, according to Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan.

In a written answer to a question from Dr Ong Seh Hong, MP for Marine Parade GRC in Parliament, on Monday, Mr Khaw said those who require more than $300 per year can tap on their family members' Medisave accounts. But few of them have done so.

The $300 cap for withdrawal under the programme, introduced in October 2006, was based on data collated from public hospitals and clinics.

Mr Khaw said the average annual cost of treating normal diabetes or hypertension was $250 for subsidised patients.

As the programme is new, he said the ministry is still gathering data and analysing them.

But for now, the claims experience seem to confirm the $300 annual limit is adequate.