Critical Illness definitions are changing. This is what you should know.

What is critical illness insurance?

• Critical illness insurance provides a lump sum pay-out in the event of a specified critical illness. This could be for early, intermediate, or advanced stage critical illnesses.
• Such critical illness plans would usually include coverage for the 37 standard critical illnesses as defined by the Life Insurance Association Singapore (LIA). These standard definitions have been adopted for use by the industry since 2003.
• Critical illness insurance tends to offer coverage for more than the 37 standard critical illnesses and may cover for up to 161 medical conditions depending on the plan chosen. Reach out to us here if you would like to find out more.

A summary of the changes:

The Life Insurance Association Singapore (LIA) has put out a standard list of definitions for critical illnesses since 2003. These standard definitions are used by the insurance industry and will be reviewed every three years to ensure that the critical illness definitions are kept relevant.

From 1 October 2025, Insurers are expected to align the critical illness (CI) definitions in their policies with the LIA CI Framework 2024. Seven critical illness definitions and two header names have been revised to provide clarity on the scope of coverage, accurately reflect the circumstances whereby a claim can be made, and ensure that coverage is kept up to date with advancements in medical technology. These changes that will take effect no later than 1 October 2025, will apply to new critical illness policies and leave existing policies unaffected.

Critical illnesses with revised definitions in the LIA CI Framework 2024:

	Condition	Changes
1.	Major Cancer	PitNET is a recently recognised term, acknowledged by the WHO in 2022. For clarity, we included the exclusion of PitNET along with the exclusion of Neuroendocrine tumors. PitNET covers pituitary adenoma which was not classified previously as Cancer and never intended to be covered under Major Cancer definition.
2.	Coma	Self-inflicted injuries are not intended to be covered. Added exclusion “or self-inflicted injuries” for clarity.
3.	Deafness (Irreversible Loss of Hearing)	Expanded the meaning on what “Total” means for greater clarity, and added Irreversible meaning “40 decibels or lower”.
4.	Open-Heart Heart Valve Surgery	Revise definition heading to provide clarity of the coverage scope (i.e. not requiring opening of chest wall but only opening of the heart). Also added definition for Open Heart Surgery to provide clarity to the scope of this coverage. As long as the surgery requires incision to the heart for the direct visual replacement or repair of heart valve, this definition is fulfilled. This revised definition no longer requires opening of chest wall. Exclusions used to ensure clarity of coverage that is not in scope (which were similarly not covered under 2019 definition): -         The operation or procedure performed via endoscopic or keyhole surgery. -         The operation or procedure performed via catheterisation
5.	Terminal Illness	Change of definition to more accurately specify the eligible circumstances for a claim under Terminal Illness.
6.	Persistent Vegetative State (Apallic Syndrome)	As it was never the intent to restrict the diagnosis to be made only to “approved hospital”, have removed “holding such appointment at an approved hospital” to add clarity.
7.	Other Serious Coronary Artery Disease	Revised the definition to provide a clearer understanding of the real intention and requirements before a claim is admitted

Critical illnesses with revised titles:

	New header	Changes
1.	Surgery to Aorta	From Open Chest Surgery to Aorta to Surgery to Aorta
2.	Open Chest Heart Valve Surgery	From Open Chest Heart Valve Surgery to Open-Heart Heart Valve Surgery

Will my insurance cost more with these revised critical illness definitions?

This revision of definition(s) is not expected to result in an increase of premiums. However, insurers have no obligation to keep premiums status quo. Some insurers may also choose to take this opportunity to revise the benefits offered in their plans and these revisions may then result in premium adjustments.

How much will a critical illness insurance plan cost?

While premiums vary according to an individual’s needs and circumstances, we generated quotations for six different insurers, keeping the conditions for coverage the same among the six. This was what we found:

• The cost of a critical illness insurance plan for $200,000 early critical illness coverage can be relatively affordable with this kept below $2,000 premiums a year for those age 40 and below.

Illustrated premiums for a $200,000 early critical illness plan for a non-smoking individual:

	Age 30	Age 40	Age 50
Male	From $1,117.85	From $1,820.95	From $3,181.50
Female	From $1,223.40	From $1,828.10	From $2,904.20

Premiums shown are indicative and accurate as of 8 September 2025. For illustration purposes only. Specified age in this table is on an age last birthday (ALB) basis, and coverage is given for up to age 74 ALB unless otherwise specified.

• Most insurers have revised their critical illness definitions to align with the LIA Critical Illness Framework 2024. These changes will only affect newly taken up policies and does not affect existing policies. Reach out to us here if you would like to find out more.

Revision of CI definitions to LIA Critical Illness Framework 2024:

An alternative to a standalone critical illness plan: iFAST Digital Term with Cancer 360 or Cancer Plus rider

If you already have a critical illness plan, or are looking for a more affordable alternative, iFAST Digital Term could be a suitable option.

With iFAST Digital Term, you may choose to enhance your coverage with optional cancer riders – i.e. the Cancer360 or Cancer Plus rider. These riders provide coverage for early, intermediate and/or advanced stage cancer with pay-outs given in addition to your base coverage.

As this rider pays on an additional basis, claims paid out for Cancer360 or Cancer Plus rider will not reduce the sum assured of your base plan.

• Base plan for iFAST Digital Term covers for death and terminal illness only.
• Cancer 360 rider covers for all stages of cancer with additional pay-out provided. This means that a claim made from this rider will not reduce the sum assured of your core plan.
• Cancer Plus rider offers up to S$1 million coverage for late-stage cancer with additional pay-out provided. This means that a claim made from this rider will not reduce the sum assured of your core plan.

Illustrated premiums for a $50,000 base iFAST Digital Term coverage + $200,000 early critical illness (Cancer360 rider) for a non-smoking individual:

	Age 30	Age 40	Age 50
Male	$103.00	$182.50	$395.50
Female	$169.50	$481.50	$1,058.00

Figures are for illustration purposes only and are accurate as of 8 September 2025.
iFAST Digital Term is a yearly renewable term plan with premiums based on life assured’s attained age at renewal. Plan can be renewed up to 70 years old (age last birthday). Cancer360 is a cancer rider and will only pay-out in the event of a claim for cancer.

Click here to get a free iFAST Digital Term quote, and make your purchase from the comforts of your home. 

Read also,

• Our 2025 Review on Critical Illness (CI) coverage: Minimise your lifetime premium on your CI plan with this guide
• I have life and health insurance. Am I well covered?
• MediShield Life is not for private hospital bills. Here’s why.
• Your IncomeShield plan is changing in October 2025. This is what you should know.

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

Information obtained from:

https://www.lia.org.sg/media/4549/lia-ci-framework-2024-part-1-of-4.pdf

https://www.lia.org.sg/media/4551/lia-ci-framework-2024-part-3-of-4-comparison-of-lia-definitions-2019-and-2024.pdf

Information retrieved on 8 September 2025.

Disclaimer:
^Profile: Age 30, non-smoker female for $50,000 base iFAST Digital Term coverage.

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