Still on the old IncomeShield plans? This is your sign to review your policy. [Nov 2025 Edition]

1.      Enhanced IncomeShield cover for treatments that IncomeShield does not.

Enhanced IncomeShield offers more comprehensive coverage with 36 benefits covered whereas IncomeShield plans only cover for 21 inpatient, outpatient, and special benefits.

Here is the list of named benefits that Enhanced IncomeShield explicitly covers but are not specified in IncomeShield’s policy conditions:

A notable difference is that Enhanced IncomeShield covers for named benefits such as Breast reconstruction after mastectomy, Living organ donor transplant, and Cell, tissue and gene therapy benefit but IncomeShield does not. If you are still on the old IncomeShield plan, consider if these benefits are something that you would like to have coverage for.

2.      IncomeShield does not have a pro-ration factor

Enhanced IncomeShield plans have a pro-ration factor where your claimable bill is pro-rated, and you will only be able to claim a percentage of your bill if you stay at a ward class higher than your entitlement. However, this pro-ration factor does not apply for IncomeShield Plans P, A, and B. The table below illustrates the pro-ration factor required for the various integrated shield plans.

An illustration on how a pro-ration factor affects your bill

As shown in the table above, an individual seeking treatment at a ward higher than his entitlement could potentially be better off staying on the older IncomeShield plans. This is because the pro-ration factor is not applicable for IncomeShield plans and therefore he will not have his hospital bill adjusted if he chooses to stay at a higher ward class. IncomeShield plans could be better for clients for claims up to their annual policy limit of $150,000 or $200,000 for IncomeShield Plan B and A respectively. For claims beyond the annual policy limit, the newer Enhanced IncomeShield plans may be more beneficial for clients as a higher amount will be claimable even with the pro-ration factor applied.

3.     Coverage for cancer treatment

The addition of an integrated shield plan and rider offers higher cancer treatment coverage as compared to a MediShield Life (MSHL) plan alone.

However, the difference lies in Class B1 ward plans with Enhanced IncomeShield Basic still offering 5 times MSHL benefit limit whereas IncomeShield Plan B only offering a 3 times MSHL benefit limit.

• For integrated shield plan riders (IP rider): The difference in cancer coverage limit is greater for IP riders added to the main integrated shield plan. This differs by up to 8 times the MSHL benefit limit for Class A and private hospital plans.

When comparing an Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred plan with deluxe care rider to an IncomeShield Plan P with deluxe care rider, the difference in benefit could be as much as 8 times of the MSHL limit.

Should I switch my IncomeShield plan to an Enhanced IncomeShield plan?

Our Take if you have an IncomeShield Plan P:

• Maintain your plan if you are considering an upgrade to Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred

There will be a significant increase in premiums if you were to switch from IncomeShield Plan P to Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred (Private Hospital). This increase in premiums averages at 99% for integrated shield plans (private hospital) and 400 to 500% increase for the IP riders.

Premiums generated on 10 November 2025, for illustration purposes only.

With the substantial premium difference, you may want to maintain your current IncomeShield plan P if you want private hospital coverage. Do however bear in mind that the annual policy limit for Plan P is $300,000 and may not be sufficient for larger hospital bills.

• Reassess your plan if you want a higher annual policy limit and are comfortable with treatment at Class A wards in a public hospital

While Plan P covers for private hospital treatments, the annual policy limit of $300,000 may be insufficient for larger hospital bills. If you want a higher policy limit, more comprehensive benefits and are comfortable receiving treatment at Class A wards in public hospitals, consider upgrading to an Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage. While this will be a downgrade in ward entitlement (from Private hospital to Class A in public hospitals), we believe that this provides better overall coverage relative to the premiums paid.

Premiums generated on 10 November 2025, for illustration purposes only.

As shown in the table above, upgrading from IncomeShield Plan P to Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage will give you an average premium savings of 33%. If you also have the deluxe care or plus rider, this upgrade from IncomeShield Plan P with deluxe care rider to Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage with deluxe care rider will lead to an average premium increase of just 5% increase while offering a more comprehensive coverage.

By upgrading to the Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage plan, you will also increase your annual policy limit from $300,000 to $1,000,000 and receive as-charged coverage for a wide range of hospitalisation benefits. With premiums for the Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred plan being relatively expensive, we feel that an upgrade to the Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage is a good balance between premiums payable and benefit received for those currently on IncomeShield Plan A.

Our Take if you currently hold an IncomeShield Plan A:

• Maintain your plan if you may seek treatment at a higher ward class than your entitlement

As IncomeShield Plan A does not have a pro-ration factor, this plan could work in your favour to offset the costs needed for your treatment at Class A or Private hospital wards up to the plan’s annual policy limit of $200,000.

• Reassess your plan if you are looking for a more comprehensive coverage

IncomeShield Plan A’s $200,000 annual limit mirrors MediShield Life’s, with the main difference being IncomeShield Plan A is designed for Class A ward stays. As Class A hospital bills are higher, the same $200,000 limit may not sufficiently cover your treatments at Class A wards in public hospitals.

Premiums generated on 10 November 2025, for illustration purposes only.

While there is, on average, a 33% difference in premiums to upgrade to the Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage plan, the Advantage plan will offer more comprehensive coverage including a policy annual limit of $1,000,000 and as-charged coverage for multiple benefits.

Reassess your Income Shield Plan A and consider an upgrade to the Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage plan to receive higher annual policy limit and as-charged coverage at Class A wards.

Our Take if you currently hold an IncomeShield Plan B:

• Maintain your plan if premium affordability is an important consideration for you

With the low premiums required for IncomeShield Plan B, maintain your plan if you are comfortable with the offered coverage.

• Reassess your plan if you want to optimise your current Integrated Shield Plan

The annual policy limit of IncomeShield Plan B is $150,000 and is lower than that of MediShield Life. Certain benefits offered for Plan B is also equivalent or lower than that of MediShield Life. If you have an IncomeShield Plan B, we recommend reviewing to see if this plan is still suitable for your hospitalisation needs.

Our Take if you currently hold an IncomeShield Plan C:

• Maintain your plan if premium affordability is an important consideration for you

With the low premiums required for IncomeShield Plan C, maintain your plan if you are comfortable with the offered coverage.

• Reassess your plan if you want to optimise your current Integrated Shield Plan

The annual policy limit of IncomeShield Plan C is just $100,000 and is half that of MediShield Life’s with benefits such as inpatient hospital treatment and radiotherapy for cancer being equivalent to or lower than that of MediShield Life.

We recommend reviewing your coverage needs to assess if you should maintain this plan or adjust your hospitalisation coverage.

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Read also,

• A Guide to Assessing Your Enhanced IncomeShield Plan [November 2025 Edition]
• Critical Illness definitions are changing. This is what you should know.
• Debunking ILP Myths – Here’s the truth about ILPs
• Your IncomeShield plan is changing in October 2025. This is what you should know.
• The hidden cost of paying your insurance premiums monthly – and how to avoid it

Information obtained from:

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

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

Information retrieved 10 November 2025.

Disclaimer:

All materials and content found in this article are strictly for information purposes only and should not be considered as an offer or solicitation to transact in any product. This article is not a contract of insurance.

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.

You are advised to read the key product documents, including (but not limited to) the product summary, before deciding whether the product is suitable for you. You should consider carefully if the products you are purchasing are suitable for your financial objectives, experience, risk tolerance and other personal circumstances. If you are uncertain about the suitability of a product, please seek advice from a financial adviser before making a decision to purchase the product.

While iFAST and its third-party providers strive to provide accurate and timely information, there may be inadvertent omissions, inaccuracies, and typographical errors. Opinions expressed herein are subjected to change without notice.

The comparisons and opinions provided are based on publicly available data/information and are intended to provide a general overview of the insurance products discussed. These comparisons do not cover all available products and may not fully illustrate every aspect of the products discussed.

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