About this article:
- Integrated Shield Plans provide enhanced health coverage beyond MediShield Life, including private hospital stays and higher ward classes in public hospitals.
- It’s essential to understand the costs, coverage options, and the impact of pre-existing conditions when choosing an Integrated Shield Plan.
- The claims process involves coordination between MediShield Life and your Integrated Shield Plan, and timely premium payments are crucial to maintaining uninterrupted coverage.
Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) are a crucial component of Singapore’s healthcare system, providing enhanced coverage beyond what MediShield Life offers.
If you’ve ever found yourself puzzled by the details of these plans, you’re not alone.
This comprehensive FAQ-style article aims to answer all your burning questions about Integrated Shield Plans, helping you make informed decisions about your health insurance.
Table of Contents
What Are The Differences Between MediShield Life (MSHL) And Integrated Shield Plans (IPs)?
MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans are both crucial parts of Singapore’s healthcare insurance system.
Integrated Shield Plans (IP) are hospitalisation insurance plans offered by private insurers in Singapore.
They are designed to enhance the coverage provided by MediShield Life (MSHL), the basic hospitalisation insurance scheme administered by the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board.
Both IPs and MSHL serve similar yet different purposes:
Coverage:
MediShield Life covers a portion of hospital bills and selected outpatient treatments.
On the other hand, Integrated Shield Plans offer additional benefits, such as:
- higher ward classes in public hospitals
- private hospital stays
- higher coverage for hospitalisation expenses
- more extensive outpatient treatment coverage
- higher coverage for treatments under the Cancer Drug List (CDL).
Premiums:
MediShield Life premiums are paid using your MediSave account and are generally lower.
Integrated Shield Plans have higher premiums especially for plans covering private hospitals. Fortunately, you can also use your MediSave account to pay for a portion of the premiums:
- $300 per year for those aged 40 years and below on their next birthday
- $600 per year for those aged 41 to 70 years on their next birthday
- $900 per year for those aged 71 years and above on their next birthday
Choice of Doctors/Specialists:
As basic hospitalisation insurance, MediShield Life provides some coverage for hospitalisation bills and treatment expenses. However, it typically restricts coverage to doctors and specialists within the public healthcare system and mainly covers treatment in Class B2 or C wards.
With only MSHL, your choice of doctors and specialists is limited, and you may not have the flexibility to choose a preferred doctor or specialist.
In contrast, Integrated Shield Plans offer greater flexibility by allowing you to choose your preferred doctors and specialists, even in private hospitals. This means you can opt for treatment with a specialist of your choice in a private or higher-class ward, providing you with more personalised and potentially quicker medical care.
This added flexibility is one of the key reasons IPs are popular among those who prefer a wider range of healthcare options.
What Benefits Do Integrated Shield Plans Offer?
Integrated Shield Plans offer a range of benefits, making them a popular choice for those seeking more comprehensive healthcare coverage:
- Higher ward class coverage: With an Integrated Shield Plan, you can opt for a higher ward class in public hospitals or even private hospital coverage. This means better comfort and more privacy during your hospital stay.
- Private hospital coverage: For those who prefer treatment in private hospitals, certain Integrated Shield Plans offer this option, covering a significant portion of the medical costs.
- Freedom to choose your own specialist: With an Integrated Shield Plan, you have the ability to choose your own doctor, or from a panel of over 500 specialists, for your medical needs.
- Inpatient and outpatient treatment: Integrated Shield Plans offer you higher coverage for inpatient surgeries, procedures, and treatments. You can have peace of mind from pre-, all the way to post-hospitalisation.
- Guaranteed renewability: Once you purchase an Integrated Shield Plan, it’s guaranteed to be renewable each year, even if your health condition changes.
- Riders for additional benefits: You can purchase riders (to enhance your plan) for even more benefits, such as coverage for deductibles and co-insurance, making your out-of-pocket expenses lower.
What Are the Premiums of Integrated Shield Plans?
The premiums of Integrated Shield Plans vary depending on several factors:
- Age: Premiums generally increase as you age. The older you are, the higher the premium, as the risk of medical claims increases.
- Coverage Level: Plans that offer higher levels of coverage (e.g., private hospital plans) come with higher premiums compared to those covering only higher-class wards in public hospitals.
- Riders: Adding riders to your Integrated Shield Plan will increase your premiums but can reduce out-of-pocket costs significantly.
- Pre-existing Conditions: If you have pre-existing conditions, your premium might be higher, or certain conditions may be excluded from coverage.
How Do I Choose The Right Integrated Shield Plan?
Choosing the right Integrated Shield Plan depends on your healthcare needs and financial situation. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Assess your needs: Consider your health condition, family medical history, and preferred type of hospital (public or private) and ward.
- Budget: Determine how much you can afford to pay in premiums (both from MediSave and in cash) annually. Don’t forget to factor in potential premium increases as you age.
- Compare plans: Use comparison tools available online or consult with an insurance adviser to compare the benefits and premiums of different Integrated Shield Plans.
- Consider riders: Decide if adding riders (e.g., cancer riders) is worth the extra premium.
- Review all your policies: Ensure that the plan covers your preferred hospital ward class and any specific medical treatments you anticipate needing.
Will My Integrated Shield Plan Premium Increase After Making A Claim?
It depends on the type of IP policy.
Some IPs are claims-based, where premiums will increase for a short period after making a claim. Some IPs are non-claims-based, where your premium does not increase directly with a claim.
However, premiums do go up over time, especially as you age. This is because healthcare costs generally rise as you get older. Insurers may also adjust premiums periodically to keep up with rising medical costs and inflation.
So, while claiming may not cause an immediate increase, expect your premiums to gradually rise as you move into older age brackets.
If I Have An IP, Can I Go To Both Public And Private Hospitals?
Yes, you can!
Having an Integrated Shield Plan (IP) gives you the flexibility to choose between public and private hospitals for your healthcare needs.
If you require immediate or serious medical attention, it’s often advisable to use your IP to be admitted as a private patient either at a public or private hospital. For chronic care management, such as long-term medication, some people prefer public hospitals.
Your IP allows you to access both types of facilities, depending on your needs.
What Happens If I Miss A Premium Payment?
Missing a premium payment can lead to lapses in your coverage. This means that you will not be covered when your policy lapses. Here’s what you should do if you miss a payment:
- Grace period: Most insurers provide a grace period (typically 30 days) during which you can pay your overdue premium without losing coverage.
- Lapsed coverage: If you don’t pay within the grace period, your policy may lapse, meaning you’ll lose your coverage and will need to reapply.
- Reinstatement: Some insurers allow you to reinstate your policy within a certain period after it lapses, but this might require medical underwriting.
- Auto-debit: To avoid missed payments, consider setting up an auto-debit arrangement from your bank account, credit card, or MediSave.
Can I Get An Integrated Shield Plan As An Elderly?
Yes, elderly individuals can still get an Integrated Shield Plan.
However, the premiums are usually higher due to the increased risk of needing medical care as you age. If you already have a plan, you can continue with it as long as you pay the premiums.
If you’re looking to buy a new plan later in life, it’s best to do so sooner rather than later, as costs will continue to rise. In fact, IPs are available for Singapore Citizens and Residents from early as 14 weeks old.
Consider your health needs and budget carefully and consult an insurance adviser if needed.
Can I Change or Swap My Integrated Shield Plan?
Yes, you can switch to a different Integrated Shield Plan if your current plan no longer meets your needs.
Here’s what you should know:
- Consider timing: It’s best to change plans during your policy renewal period to avoid losing coverage or facing penalties.
- Pre-existing conditions: If you switch plans, your new insurer might not cover pre-existing conditions, so review the terms carefully.
- Compare new plans: Before switching, compare the benefits, coverage, and premiums of the new plan against your current one.
- No-claim discounts: Some plans offer no-claim discounts, which you may lose if you switch to a new insurer.
Know Your Coverage, Before You Need It
HealthInsured SG aims to help you understand the details of your health insurance policy. Being well-informed empowers you to focus on recovery, free from the added stress of financial burdens.
