Everyone needs medical care at some point in time. In a rapidly changing world of healthcare, learning how to navigate around the subject will help you become a more educated healthcare consumer. When it comes to hospitalisation and inpatient treatments, one term you'll come across is pre-approval. 

What is pre-approval?

Pre-approval, also known as pre-authorisation, allows you to find out whether your medical treatment is claimable before you proceed. For Singlife Shield policyholders, pre-approval is available when you visit a private specialist from our panel.
 

Traditionally, patients submit their claims after the treatment is received and hope that their medical bills get reimbursed. Pre-approval ensures that you can proceed with the treatment without worrying about whether your treatment will be covered.
 

Why should you get pre-approval?

With the pre-approval of your medical bill, you can have the assurance of your claim outcome and focus better on your journey to recovery. It’s a recommended procedure if you are seeking non-emergency specialist care under Singlife’s panel specialists. 

How does it work?
 

Pre-approval isn’t as complicated as some may think. If you're a Singlife customer, we’ll get in touch with the panel specialist directly so it’s hassle-free for you. It’s recommended that the pre-approval request is made at least five working days (but no more than six weeks) before the planned admission or treatment. 

Follow this 3-step process for claim pre-approval

Step 1: Get in touch with us
 

• Before proceeding with your planned admission or treatment, ask your private panel specialist to submit the Pre-authorisation Request Form (i.e. pre-approval request form) for you.
  
  
• If you prefer to handle it yourself, call us at 1800 8800 880 with the necessary information.
  
  
• Request for pre-approval at least 5 working days but no more than 6 weeks before your planned admission.

Step 2: Provide the following information
 

• NRIC and name of the Life Assured
  
  
• Name of the doctor
  
  
• Name of the doctor's clinic
  
  
• Date of the planned admission or day surgery
  
  
• Name of the hospital/clinic for the admission or day surgery

Step 3: Ensure you meet this criteria
 

• The inpatient treatment or day surgery is done at a private hospital or private clinic in Singapore;
  
  
• The principal doctor must be from our panel of private specialists;  
  
  
• You are required to make the request at least 5 working days before the admission date; and
  
  
• The admission date is within 6 weeks from the request date.

^{Important Notes}
 

^{For policyholders of Singlife Shield Plan 2, 3 and Standard Plan, please consider the coverage of your Singlife Shield plan type before consulting with the private specialists on our panel. Singlife Shield Plan 2, 3 and Standard Plan are not designed to cover medical expenses with private specialists, including those from our panel, hence your hospitalisation and surgical/treatment costs may not be claimable in full.}