This article has been migrated from an earlier version of the site and may display formatting inconsistencies.
14 May 2013
Question No. 1137
Name of Person: Ms Foo Mee Har
Question
To ask the Minister for Health whether portable medical insurance can be made a norm in Singapore so that Singaporeansare provided with medical coverage across the different stages of their life that are independent of their employers' insurance schemes.
Answer
MediShield, the national basic medical insurance scheme provides portable insurance coverage for Singaporeans. The scheme covers policyholders’ needs not only in employment but also in-between employment and after retirement. As MediShield offers guaranteed renewal, policyholders enjoy continuous coverage even if they develop new health conditions after coverage has started. This ensures that Singaporeans are able to retain their medical insurance coverage regardless of their employment or health status.
As at June 2012, 94% of the population aged 21 to 65 was insured under MediShield. Two-thirds of the insured were also covered under the private Integrated Shield Plans.
As part of the review of healthcare financing, we will also be reviewing MediShield to ensure that it remains relevant and effective.
We encourage employers who wish to provide medical benefits for their employees to do so in the form of portable medical benefits, so that they can remain covered even after retirement, when their healthcare needs are likely to increase. They can do so either through additional Medisave contributions to employees or through purchasing such plans on behalf of their employees.