Be informed when picking Shield plan

MOH's Reply

The Straits Times, 24 July 2015

Be informed when picking Shield plan

We thank Mr Chia Tong Hiang ("Make insurers accept those with pre-existing conditions"; Aug 1) and Mr Steven Sit Poh Sang ("Integrated Shield Plans have a role to play"; Forum Online, July 31) for their feedback.

MediShield Life is designed to provide adequate coverage for patients who are staying in Class B2 or C wards, or receiving subsidised treatment in public hospitals.

When implemented on Nov 1, it will provide lifetime coverage for all Singapore citizens and permanent residents, including those with pre-existing conditions.

The coverage of pre-existing conditions does not extend to the additional private insurance component in Integrated Shield plans (IPs).

Mr Chia suggested that private insurers cover those with pre-existing illnesses with some premium loading.

From Nov 1, we will allow private insurers to offer such risk-loaded policies, where they charge policyholders higher premiums to insure their pre-existing conditions under the additional private insurance component of IPs.

The insurers will have to decide whether they are prepared to offer such policies, and when they are ready to do so, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will work with them to ensure that policyholders are well-informed of their options and any differences in premiums.

While having an IP is a personal decision, we agree with Mr Sit that individuals should review their needs before deciding what to do with their IPs.

MOH encourages IP policyholders to understand how MediShield Life will work, before making any changes to their IPs.

Individuals can consider two broad factors when considering an IP - firstly, the type of ward they prefer to stay in if they are hospitalised and whether they wish to choose their doctor ; second, whether they can afford their IP premiums in the long run, as premiums do increase with age.

Mr Sit also suggested that the availability of subsidised healthcare facilities should be a factor to be considered in individual decisions to purchase an IP.

MOH has been increasing hospital capacity to better meet the needs of Singapore's growing and ageing population, including the building of new hospitals.

Today, subsidised beds comprise 80 per cent of the beds in our public hospitals, and more beds will be added when the new hospitals are ready.

Lim Bee Khim (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health

Forum Letters

The Straits Times, 1 August 2015

Make insurers accept those with pre-existing conditions

I applaud the Government's effort in making MediShield Life available to all Singaporeans, including those with pre-existing illnesses ("Relief for those with pre-existing illnesses"; June 19, 2014) .

This will especially benefit those in the lower-income group.

However, those in the middle-income group - who do not enjoy as many government subsidies and have pre-existing illnesses, but who do not mind paying higher premiums for better coverage by private insurers - face the prospect of being rejected by private insurers.

At the moment, those who have missed the boat to get comprehensive coverage while they were healthy and working, or due to the lack of awareness, will face the following issues, even with the availability of MediShield Life:

• No coverage for things such as X-rays and consultations within 90 days prior to and after hospitalisation.
• Having to pay for co-insurance and deductibles.
• Face long waiting times in making consultation appointments at government hospitals.
• Being unable to choose a doctor they prefer.
• They can only choose to stay in B2 and C wards. Anything above that and their bills will be much higher.

I suggest that the Government push private insurers to accept those with pre-existing illnesses, such as in the case of MediShield Life, with some premium loading, at least for B1 wards for a start.

Some people have suggested calling it "MediShield Life Plus" ("Good case to align B1 premiums"; July 5, 2014).

Alternatively, the Government could consider implementing this on its own or work with other insurers which are willing to do so.

I understand some insurers are already offering global coverage but the plans are very expensive. They may just have to adapt the plans for local coverage with government subsidies.

This will also ease the congestion of patients waiting for beds in the B2 and C wards.

Chia Tong Hiang

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The Straits Times, 31 July 2015

Integrated Shield Plans have a role to play

The recent article "MediShield Life: Answers to 101 frequently asked questions" (ST Online; April 22) provides a comprehensive guide to MediShield, MediShield Life and the Integrated Shield Plans.

However, some burning questions remain. Is MediShield Life all that one will need? Is it better than the Integrated Shield Plans?

Choosing to go with MediShield Life or to enhance it to a private Integrated Shield Plan (IP) should not be solely determined by factors such as premium affordability or whether one would prefer B2- and C-class wards.

The reality of hospital bed crunches, stretched resources and long waiting times in government and restructured hospitals cannot be underestimated.

The time-saving and perhaps even life-saving option of higher-class wards in restructured hospitals or even private hospitals under the private Integrated Shield Plans should be taken into consideration.

Where complex surgical procedures are involved, a private Integrated Shield Plan, with no limits on the claimable amount for surgical procedures, except for the deductibles, co-insurance and annual limits applicable, may offer patients greater peace of mind.

Everyone needs to do a thorough review of their needs before deciding to terminate their existing IPs.

Meanwhile, the young should, while healthy, consider purchasing a suitable private Integrated Shield Plan. Should their needs or ability to pay for premiums change in the coming years, they can choose to downgrade to a lower private Integrated Shield Plan or to MediShield Life.

Steven Sit Poh Sang