Did you know that medical bills rank among the top five reasons why people in Singapore go into debt?1
Rising healthcare costs might have something to do with it. Singapore’s 2018 healthcare cost inflation hit 10%, 10 times the economic inflation rate2. And it’s a troubling trend.
With our rapidly greying population, it’s not surprising that many Singaporeans would be concerned about increasing hospital bills – specifically, how to manage these unavoidable bills without financial stress (which itself could affect mental health and further drive up medical costs!).
Thankfully, we have the national MediShield Life scheme, a basic health insurance plan that helps all citizens and permanent residents pay for large hospital bills. MediShield Life provides coverage for
- B2 and C wards as well as surgery charges in public hospitals
- selected costly outpatient treatments such as chemotherapy for cancer and kidney dialysis
Coverage is automatic from birth and for life, regardless of age and pre-existing conditions. However, there are limits on the claim amount.
For full details on MediShield Life, please refer to the Ministry of Health website here.
Is it enough to cover your healthcare costs?
Here are examples of large claims paid by us from 2018 to 2020 that show how hospital and medical bills can rack up for patients.
Because MediShield Life is a basic health insurance plan that comes with claim limits and mandatory out-of-pocket expenses, it’s wise to strengthen your financial safety net to be better guarded against unexpected large hospital bills.
How Integrated Shield Plans (IP) help
Integrated Shield Plans (IP) are additional coverage offered by private insurers that are attached to your MediShield Life cover. With this private cover, you’d have access to more benefits such as the freedom to choose your medical specialist from Singlife’s panel of medical specialists, coverage for pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses as well as lower out-of-pocket expenses and so on.
MediShield Life + Integrated Shield Plan vs MediShield Life only
This visual sums up key differences in your healthcare experience if you have an IP and if you don’t.
How Singlife’s IP, Singlife Shield, gives greater coverage
Singlife’s IP, called Singlife Shield, gives you access to greater healthcare options, providing you with greater comfort and assurance so you can focus on your wellbeing when you’re ill.
When it comes to getting adequate medical coverage, think about the kind of comfort and healthcare options, and level of financial protection you’d want to have when you’re ill. Of course, consider affordability, too. With the right plan, you can always focus on your wellbeing first, not hefty medical bills, and indeed, avoid medical debt.
Important Notes
1. Source: The Straits Times© Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Extracted with permission. “5 reasons that people in Singapore get into debt”, 29 October 2014.
2. Source: The Straits Times© Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Extracted with permission. “Singapore 2018 healthcare cost inflation hits 10%, 10 times the economic inflation rate”: Mercer report, 10 June 2019.
3. Source: https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/government-accepts-medishield-life-council-s-recommendations-and-commits-2.2-billion-for-premium-subsidies-and-support/
