As an expat, you need medical insurance when in a new country. The costs of healthcare can go pretty high and you may not have enough funds in a foreign land. In Singapore, expats can buy an Integrated Shield Plan for medical insurance coverage. If you are planning to move to Singapore, read on for we have given you a quick overview of the coverage you can expect from an Integrated Shield Plan in the country.
What does an Integrated Shield Plan do?
Singaporean citizens and PRs are automatically covered for health insurance under a scheme called MediShield Life. They can, however, choose to upgrade the coverage they have by opting in for an Integrated Shield Plan. The Integrated Shield Plan is a health insurance plan made available by local insurers in Singapore. Under this plan, you can expect coverage for hospitalization costs as well as pre-and post-hospitalization expenses. Pre-hospitalization coverage is generally given for around 180 days and post-hospitalization coverage may be given for around 365 days.
With an Integrated Shield Plan, you can enjoy health insurance coverage at a wide range of private and restructured hospitals.
Some insurers even include coverage for planned or emergency treatment done overseas in their Integrated Shield Plans. However, there may be certain limitations to this coverage. If you travel abroad very frequently from Singapore, you may want to consider buying international health insurance.
How much can I get covered for?
Integrated Shield Plans can offer coverage that goes as high as S$1.2 million. You can also add a rider to your Integrated Shield Plan so that you get covered for up to 95% of your medical expenses.
What are the benefits of getting an Integrated Shield Plan?
Having the coverage of healthcare insurance from an Integrated Shield Plan truly gives peace of mind. You can rest assure that you will not have to worry about paying for a medical emergency entirely from your own pocket. These health insurance plans are also quite affordable; you can easily get an online quote from an insurance company’s website.
Moreover, leading medical insurance companies offer a host of other benefits with their Integrated Shield Plans. As a policyholder, you can also enjoy –
- Facilitation of appointment booking at select hospitals
- Concierge service
- Discounts on select products or taxi vouchers for travelling to the hospital
- Home health screening
- Teleconsultation
Additionally, you may be able to buy a new plan at important life events without the need for any medical underwriting.
These benefits can vary between medical insurance companies. It is advisable to read the detail on the coverage you can expect before buying the policy.
As an expat, you probably have health insurance coverage from your employer in Singapore. However, it is advisable to upgrade the coverage you have as this may not suffice for costlier treatments. Moreover, if your husband/wife is traveling with you to Singapore, it is advisable to cover them too under an Integrated Shield Plan.
