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What is MediShield Life?
MediShield Life is a basic health insurance plan run by the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board that assists with the payment of major hospital bills as well as certain expensive outpatient treatments like dialysis and cancer chemotherapy. It’s set up in such a way that patients who have significant hospital expenses pay less MediSave/cash.
What is the Eligibility?
MediShield Life is a basic health insurance plan that covers all Singapore citizens and permanent residents, regardless of age or health condition, against big hospital expenses for the rest of their lives.
Even if you have a pre-existing medical condition, MediShield Life will cover you.
If you have a pre-existing condition, you will be required to pay 30% Additional Premiums for the first ten years, after which you will be required to pay the same regular premium as everyone else in your age group. You can pay your MediShield Life payments, including Additional Premiums, with your MediSave. For pre-existing conditions check here.
What are the benefits/coverage?
1.MediShield Life is designed for low-cost care in public hospitals and is rated for B2/C wards.
2. MediShield Life will cover you even if you opt to stay in an A/B1 ward or a private hospital.
3. Your MediShield Life payout, on the other hand, will only cover a small percentage of your expenses.
4. To pay the remainder, you’d have to use MediSave and/or cash.
You can check the category here.
The government will also help to keep your MediShield Life premiums cheap, including for individuals who need to pay extra premiums. Subsidies include the following:
- Subsidies for low- and middle-income people
- Subsidies for Pioneers who generate electricity
- Transitional payments to help Singaporeans make the switch to MediShield Life.
What plans are included in MediShield Life?
1. Integrated Shield Plan (IP)
MediShield Life and a private insurer’s additional private insurance coverage component are combined in an Integrated Shield Plan (IP).
An Integrated Shield Plan is a supplement to your MediShield Life plan that provides coverage for Class B1 or A wards, also private hospitals. In addition, an additional rider can be purchased to cover the co-insurance and deductible portions of the payment in part or whole.
Features of Integrated Shield Plan (IP)
- Provides supplementary coverage for treatment in private hospitals or public / restructured hospital Class A/B1 wards.
- Private insurers are in charge of the management.
- Option to add a co-pay rider that covers up to 95% of your co-insurance and/or deductible, lowering your out-of-pocket payments.
- Premiums paid through MediSave, subject to annual limits
- Rider premiums are only payable in cash.
2. CareShield Life/ElderShield
These are supplements plans which provide additional benefits to your main plan, such as bigger monthly payouts.
To purchase Supplement policies, you must have an existing ElderShield or CareShield Life policy.
As long as you meet the claim terms for both your Supplement insurance and CareShield Life/ElderShield, you can make a claim from both. It’s easy to claim from both your Supplement insurance and CareShield Life/ElderShield as long as you meet the claim conditions for both.
How to claim from MediShield Life?
In case, If you don’t have an Integrated Shield Plan,
1. Notify the people in charge of your hospital or outpatient care that you want to file a claim.
2. Your claim will be submitted on your behalf by the medical institution.
3. Your claim will be processed by the CPF Board, and the MediShield Life payout will be applied to a portion of your bill.
4. MediSave (up to current restrictions) and/or cash can cover the outstanding balance on your bill.
In case if you have Integrated Shield Plan,
1. Your private insurance will handle your claim and pay the medical facility in full on your behalf. The MediShield Life component of the payout will be included in this.
2. The balance of your charge can be paid using Medisave and/or cash. Click here for more details.
What is Medisave?
MediSave is a nationwide medical savings program that allows people to set aside a portion of their salary to pay for hospitalization, day surgery, and some outpatient charges for themselves or eligible dependents, as well as their long-term healthcare requirements.
The withdrawal restrictions for MediSave have been carefully adjusted to ensure that Singaporeans have enough money in their accounts to cover their basic healthcare expenses in retirement. The withdrawal restrictions are usually sufficient to cover the majority of the costs associated with subsidized inpatient and outpatient treatments.
Is it mandatory for all Singaporeans to have Medisave?
All Singaporeans and PRs who live and work in Singapore are required to contribute to their MediSave Accounts on a regular basis. Singaporeans living and working in other countries are not required to contribute to MediSave, but they are free to do so voluntarily.
How and where to apply Medisave?
Your consent and authorization are required for medical professionals to advise you on the funding and payment alternatives accessible to you, as well as to assist in making claims from MediSave, MediShield Life, and other IP plans.
- Download the MCAF (S) form in case If you’re going to a private medical facility or prefer to submit authorization at each visit. MCAF (M) you can submit this electronically via HealthHub.
- Complete both forms.
- Fill out the form and return it to the MediSave-accredited medical facility where you are being treated.
- The following institutions have received MediSave accreditation:
- hospitals run by the government
- hospitals that are privately owned
- polyclinics
- A MediSave-accredited General Practitioner (GP) and a MediSave-accredited Pediatrician (PCP)
- Dental clinics with MediSave accreditation
