Simplifying Singapore’s hospital insurance – All about MediShield Life and Integrated Shield plans

Understanding Singapore’s hospital insurance:

• MediShield Life is a basic health insurance plan administered by the CPF Board that helps Singaporeans and Permanent Residents with their hospital bills and selected outpatient treatments. Coverage is given regardless of age or pre-existing conditions.
• Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) are optional insurance plans offered by seven private insurers. IPs aim to supplement MediShield Life by offering higher coverage limits, access to private hospital and more ward choices. Riders can also be added on to IPs to further enhance coverage.

MediShield Life (MSHL)

• Ward Entitlement: Class B2/C wards in public hospitals
• Annual limit: $200,000

This coverage is enough if: MediShield Life was established with the intention of covering nine in ten subsidised bills at public healthcare institutions. If you are happy to receive treatment at B2/C wards at public hospitals, then MediShield Life may sufficiently address your hospital insurance needs.

[💡 B2/C wards are naturally ventilated rooms with up to 6 beds in a ward. Rooms may not have attached bathrooms and televisions.]

Consider upgrading when: You can choose to receive treatment at Class A/B1 ward in a public hospital, or in a private hospital with MediShield Life. However, as MediShield Life is designed to cover treatments at B2/C wards in public hospitals, you will incur a larger out-of-pocket expense with a pro-ration factor applied if you choose to seek treatment at a higher ward class.

To minimise out-of-pocket expenses required, consider enhancing your hospital coverage with integrated shield plans if you wish to seek healthcare treatment at Class B1 and above wards, or at private hospitals.

(Read more: New MediShield Life and Integrated Shield plans. Here is what has changed.)

Integrated Shield Plan - B1 ward at public hospitals

There are two types of B1 ward plans: a standard IP and non-standard B1 ward IP.

Standard Integrated Shield plans for B1 ward	Non-standard B1 ward plan
Designed as a no-frills product by the Government, standard IP have benefits identical across all IP insurers. This is intended to give Singapore Residents a standardised option for additional coverage. Higher benefit limits as compared to MediShield Life No as-charged coverage No pre and post hospitalisation treatment coverage	Offering slightly higher benefits as compared to the standard IP, non-standard B1 ward IPs offer as-charged coverage and higher cancer coverage limits. Higher policy annual limits (up to $500,000) Offers as-charged coverage Pre and post hospitalisation treatment coverage Higher cancer coverage limits
Ward Entitlement: B1 ward at public hospitals Annual policy limit: $200,000	Plans available on FSMOne: Enhanced IncomeShield Basic, Singlife Shield Plan 3, Raffles Shield B Ward Entitlement: B1 ward at public hospitals Annual policy limit: Up to $500,000

The comparison data is based on information available on the MOH’s websites as of 1 Jan 2025

Opt for these plans if: Unlike MediShield Life that covers for B2/C wards that may not be air-conditioned, B1 wards are air-conditioned 4 to 5 bedder wards and will come with shared attached bathroom and television. If you are just looking to slightly enhance your hospital coverage and enjoy benefits that are a step up from MediShield Life’s coverage – getting a Standard IP may address your needs.

Alternatively, opt for a non-standardised B1 ward plan to further enhance your coverage to receive as-charged coverage or coverage for pre and post hospitalisation treatments.

[💡 Class B1 ward – 4 to 5 bedder air-conditioned room with shared attached bathroom and television.]

Integrated Shield Plan – A Ward at public hospitals

Plans available on FSMOne: Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage, Singlife Shield Plan 2, Raffles Shield A

• Ward Entitlement: Class A wards at public hospitals
• Annual policy limit: Up to $1 million. This limit will differ between insurers.

[💡 Class A ward – Single bed, air-conditioned room with attached bathroom and television.]

Opt for this plan if: You think private hospital treatments are unnecessary. If you do not have a preferred doctor or hospital to visit for treatments and typically tend to visit the A&E or polyclinic for a referral for further treatment, then an IP that covers for treatments at public hospitals may be adequate for your needs. Opt for a Class A IP if you are looking to get treated at public hospitals but would like the option to stay at single bedder wards if required.

Consider downgrading when: While Class A IP cover for treatments at public hospitals, Class A wards are single-bedded air-conditioned wards and comes with an attached bathroom and television. If you would like to receive treatment in single wards but find the premiums for private hospital IPs unaffordable, then a Class A IP may be suitable for you.

Integrated Shield Plan – Private hospital plans

Plans available on FSMOne: Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred, Singlife Shield Plan 1, Raffles Shield Private

• Ward Entitlement: Private Hospitals
• Annual policy limit: Up to $2 million. This limit will differ between insurers.

Opt for this plan if: If you want private care, shorter waiting times for appointments and procedures, or have a specific doctor or hospital that you would like to get treated at then a Private hospital IP is what you will need.

Consider downgrading when: Reconsider whether you need a private hospital IP when premiums for your plan get unaffordable or if you find yourself heading to public hospitals for healthcare treatments thus making your private ward plan unnecessary.

However, if you are comfortable with your current premiums then continue with your current plan as it is easier to downgrade than to upgrade your plan type in future should there be a need to do so.

If you have any questions on your shield plans, click the button below to schedule a complimentary session with us:

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Available Products on FSMOne Insurance

Term Life, Whole Life, Critical Illness, Annuity, Health, Endowment, General Insurance (Personal and Commercial) from AIG, Allianz, Cigna, Chubb, Etiqa Insurance, FWD Insurance, Great Eastern, Henner, Income, Manulife, MSIG, Raffles Health Insurance, Singlife, Sompo, Tokio Marine, and QBE. *Please check with our team if the product you want is available on FSMOne Insurance

Read also,

• A Guide to assessing your Enhanced IncomeShield plan
• Assess your Singlife Shield plan with this one guide
• Should I downgrade my Raffles Shield plan coverage? This is what we think
• High hospital insurance premiums? Find out how to lower this in our article.

Information obtained from:
https://www.moh.gov.sg/managing-expenses/schemes-and-subsidies/medishield-life/medishield-life-benefits
https://www.moh.gov.sg/managing-expenses/schemes-and-subsidies/integrated-shield-plans/comparision-of-integrated-shield-plans
Information retrieved on 15 May 2025.

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