Insurance

Can I rely on my MediShield Life or Integrated Shield plan for Cancer Coverage?

With the changes to cancer coverage and the new Cancer Drug List, are my shield plans adequate?

  • Phuan Wei Ning
  • |
  • Published on 17 Apr 2023

#1 Changes to MediShield Life limits for Cancer

As shared in our article "Will the New Cancer Drug Change Affect Me?", from 1 September 2022 each cancer drug treatment on the Cancer Drug List (CDL) will have their own MediShield Life claim limit and MediSave withdrawal limit.

Ministry of Health (MOH) has also since revised the limits following feedback received. This will take effect from 1 April 2023 upon policy renewal.

Before 1 Sep 2022
Effective from 1 Sep 2022, upon policy renewal
Effective from 1 Apr 2023, upon policy renewal
MediShield Life (MSHL)1
Claimable up to $3,000 a month for all cancer drug treatments.

Additional MSHL Cancer Drug Services of $1,200 per calendar year

Cancer Drug Treatment $200-9,600 per month dependent on treatment (must be on the CDL)

Additional MSHL Cancer Drug Services of $3,600 per calendar year

Cancer Drug Treatment $200-9,600 per month dependent on treatment (must be on the CDL)

MediSave
$1,200 per month for all cancer drug treatments and services.
If you have a claim limit from MSHL of above $5,400/month: $1,200/month for Cancer Drug Treatments

If you have a claim limit from MSHL at $5,400/month and below: $600/month for other treatments on the Cancer Drug List

Additional $600/year for cancer drug services and other cancer scans.

While these changes are meant to help individuals pay less out of pocket expenses for their cancer treatment, there are concerns on whether MediShield Life’s current coverage is actually enough. This is where Integrated Shield plans will come into the picture.


#2 Can I enhance my cancer coverage with Integrated Shield Plan (IP) or Riders?

If you feel apprehensive about MediShield Life’s cancer coverage, consider enhancing this with an Integrated Shield plan (IP) and rider. One such IP offered is the Enhanced IncomeShield by Income.

Enhanced IncomeShield with Deluxe Care / Classic Care riders by Income2
The good
The bad

  • Increases MediShield Life limit up to 5 times for both Cancer Drug Treatment, and Cancer Drug Services
  • Provides as charged coverage for Proton Beam Therapy, up to a specified limit
  • Receive Additional Cancer Drug Treatment benefit when you opt for IP riders.
    1. This includes claim for non-CDL treatments under drug classes A to E, with up to S$15,000 a month benefit limit (according to respective policy) for selected non-CDL outpatient cancer drug treatment
    2. Additional 200% of your policy benefit 8limit on Cancer Drug Treatment for outpatient cancer drug treatments on the CDL
  • Enhanced Incomeshield main plan’s premiums to remain at current rates until 31 August 2024.
  • Coverage for cancer treatments coverage no longer offered on an as-charged basis.
  • Premiums adjusted upwards for IP riders
  • Individuals can further reduce their out-of-pocket expenses for cancer treatments with an add-on integrated shield (IP) riders.

    Here is an illustration of how IP and its rider can help.

    For Cancer Drug Treatment claims (per month)
    Benefit limit for MediShield Life (MSHL)
    Benefit limit for Enhanced IncomeShield (Preferred)
    Benefit limit for Deluxe Care Rider
    Total Benefit limit
    #A
    Cancer Drug List (CDL) treatment

    $ 2,000**

    5 times of MSHL limit: 5 x $2,000 = $10,000

    10 times of MSHL limit: 10 x $2,000 = $20,000

    $10,000 + $20,000 = $30,000

    #B
    Non Cancer Drug List (CDL) treatment*

    N.A.

    N.A.

    Benefit limit of up to $15,000. Note that a 10% Co-payment is required

    $15,000

    For Cancer drug service (per policy year)
    #C
    CDL and Non-CDL* treatments

    $3,600

    5 times of MSHL limit: 5 x $3,600 = $18,000

    N.A.

    $18,000

    *Non Cancer Drug List (CDL) treatment for Drug Class B of Non-CDL treatment.

    **Cancer Drug List (CDL) treatment ranges from $200-$9,600 depending on the treatment received. For this example, we use a $2,000 benefit limit from MediShield Life to illustrate the example.

    For the illustration of scenario #A, individuals with only MediShield Life may expect to receive up to $2,000 for cancer drug treatments on the CDL. This is increased to $10,000 if an individual has an Integrated Shield plan (Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred), and $30,000 if an individual adds on an IP rider.

    Likewise, if an individual opts for a treatment not on the CDL, he/she would not receive any coverage from MediShield Life and their IP plan. However, in this case, if the individual has the Deluxe Care rider, he/she would then be able to receive a benefit limit of up to $15,000.


    #3 What other options do I have to enhance my cancer coverage

    While MediShield Life, and Integrated Shield plans may help alleviate the cost of specified cancer treatments, individuals can still expect to incur other expenses during their recovery period. Examples of such expenses may include hiring a caregiver for your dependents, or to care for your own daily needs. Moreover, with the cap to cancer treatments, you may also have to fork out additional monies for cancer treatment should you exceed the claimable amount from your IP and IP rider.

    If you are concerned about these potential expenses, and would like income replacement during your recovery period, you may consider cancer plans. We compare three such plans in the table below.

    iFAST Digital Term + Cancer 360 rider
    TM Protect Cancer
    Manulife CI FlexiCare
    Insured by
    Raffles Health Insurance
    Tokio Marine
    Manulife

    Coverage
    Death, Terminal illness + Cancer (add-on rider)

    Cancer

    Death, Critical Illness

    Policy term
    Yearly renewable
    Yearly renewable
    Fixed term to specified age

    Suitable for
  • Low-cost coverage for cancer
  • 100% pay-out upon diagnosis with Cancer360 rider
  • Easy online application, just answer 3 health questions
  • Enhance coverage with Cancer Plus rider for late-stage cancer
  • Simplified application, just answer 7 health questions
  • Individuals who would like to continue receiving coverage even after a first critical illness claim
  • Covers for more than just cancer, up to 126 critical illness conditions
  • This may not be suitable if
  • Not suitable if you are looking for traditional critical illness coverage
  • Not suitable if you are looking for affordable coverage
  • Not suitable if you want 100% pay-out upon diagnosis of cancer. Your pay-out will be staggered according to the severity of your condition.
  • You are looking for affordable coverage options
  • Staggered pay-outs. You will not get 100% pay-out upon diagnosis of cancer.
  • Sample premiums
    Cancer coverage amount
    $100,000
    $100,000
    $100,000
    Annual premiums***
    $60^
    $156
    $584

    ^Premiums shown are for $50,000 core coverage, and $100,000 Cancer360 rider coverage.

    ***Profile: Age 30, non-smoker male. Premiums are rounded to the nearest whole number and are accurate as of 13 April 2023.



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    Source

    1 https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/infohub/educational-resources/enhanced-support-for-cancer-treatment

    2 https://www.income.com.sg/health-insurance/enhanced-incomeshield

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