Answering commonly asked questions about Integrated Shield Plans

1. What is MediShield Life (MSHL)?

MediShield Life is a basic health insurance plan that offers universal coverage to all Singapore Residents. This means that all Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) will be covered for life by MediShield Life regardless of pre-existing conditions or other life circumstances.

MediShield Life provides coverage for Class B2/C wards in public hospitals.

2. Do I really need Integrated Shield (IP) plans?

Offered by seven private insurers, IP plans allow individuals to enhance their coverage by offering more benefits such as as-charged coverage. Coverage is also given for private hospitals, with IP plans having a higher annual policy limit of up to $2.5 million. (Note: Annual policy limit will differ between plans.)

You may also consider adding on IP riders to further enhance your coverage and reduce or remove the co-insurance and deductible required.

_{(Source: https://www.moh.gov.sg/healthcare-schemes-subsidies/medishield-life)}

3. I have an Integrated Shield (IP) plan, will I have to pay any out-of-pocket medical expenses?

An integrated shield plan is designed to allow individuals to enjoy treatment at higher ward classes (e.g. Ward B1 and above in public hospitals, or at private hospitals). IP plans also provide more comprehensive coverage such as higher cancer treatment coverage, as-charged inpatient benefits, and pre- or post- hospitalisation treatment benefits. With an IP plan alone, you will still have to pay co-insurance and the annual deductible.

If you would like to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, opt for an IP rider. Some riders will remove your annual deductible and also reduce the co-payment needed. IP riders will also cap the maximum co-payment amount needed.

For Enhanced IncomeShield plans:

^{Information generated on 18 November 2024, for illustration purposes only.}

For Singlife Shield plans:

^{*For A&E or Preferred medical providers which may be found at https://singlife.com/medicalspecialists.}

^{Information generated on 18 November 2024, for illustration purposes only.}

4. Do Integrated Shield plans provide coverage for outpatient expenses?

Integrated Shield plans provide coverage for specified outpatient treatments such as kidney dialysis, or radiotherapy for cancer. For illnesses such as the common flu or for visits to the General Practitioner (GP), your IP plan will not provide coverage.

5. Can I seek treatment at a higher ward class than what my plan entitles me to?

Yes, you can seek treatment at a higher ward class than what your plan entitles you to. However, your coverage will be pro-rated according to the ward class entitlement of your plan.

This means that if you are on a standard IP plan with B1 ward coverage, but seek treatment at private hospitals, you should expect to pay higher out of your own pocket costs as your plan will only cover a smaller proportion of your hospital bill.

An illustration:

^{Information generated on 18 November 2024, for illustration purposes only.}

6. How do I afford the increasing Integrated Shield premiums as I get older?

If you think your premiums are getting too high, here are the two things to ask yourself:

Where would you want to receive treatment? If you can accept the longer waiting times at public hospitals and staying at a lower ward class, you may consider downgrading your plan if you think your premiums are getting too expensive.

Are you willing to pay a higher co-payment? Some insurers will offer riders with a higher co-payment amount in exchange for lower premiums. If you are comfortable paying 10 per cent instead of 5 per cent as a co-payment, consider downgrading your rider to lower your premiums.

Keep your current coverage if you are still able to afford your current premiums. Only consider downgrading your plan if you are no longer able to afford your premiums as it is easy to downgrade your IP plan but harder to upgrade your IP plan should you need to do so in future.

Have a question? Speak to us about your shield plans here:

Read also,

My Integrated Shield plan premium is increasing; would lowering the cost of my hospital insurance compromise my coverage?

A Guide to assessing your Enhanced IncomeShield plan

Is private hospital insurance really necessary?

Assess your Singlife Shield plan with this one guide

1 in 5 Singaporeans lack life insurance coverage. Are you the 1 in 5?

MediShield Life coverage is increasing. Do you still need a Shield plan?

^{Information obtained from:}

^{https://ask.gov.sg/moh/questions/cm2vs8bet00lkr5bfw987rvw4?from=topics}

^{https://isomer-user-content.by.gov.sg/3/771e8dc9-7d46-45eb-9f91-bad20eff0450/comparison-of-private-hospital-ips.pdf}

^{https://www.income.com.sg/kcassets/48ba2802-266a-4bec-b7cb-b61bff0e0f7c/Final%20Enhanced%20IncomeShield%20policy%20conditions%201%20Nov%202024.pdf}

^{https://www.income.com.sg/kcassets/2b6a2966-c927-48ac-8fe8-26be5005d11b/Final%20Conditions%20for%20Deluxe%20Care%20Rider%201%20Nov%202024.pdf}

^{https://www.income.com.sg/kcassets/b6b7c771-e78d-4a67-8733-87569af3eb80/Final%20Conditions%20for%20Classic%20Care%20Rider%201%20Nov%202024.pdf}

^{https://singlife.com/content/dam/public/sg/documents/promotion/H44%20Singlife%20Shield%20TCs%20Sept%202024.pdf}

^{https://singlife.com/content/dam/public/sg/documents/promotion/H46%20Singlife%20Health%20Plus%20TCs%20Sept%202024.pdf}

^{Information retrieved on 18 November 2024.}

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^{Insurance products are underwritten by the respective insurance partners and distributed by iFAST Financial Pte Ltd (“iFAST”). You are advised to review the specific terms, conditions and exclusions in the relevant policy contract.}

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