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A Complete Guide to MediShield Life In Singapore

MediShield Life is a health insurance to help you pay large hospital bills and selected costly outpatient treatments, such as dialysis and chemotherapy for cancer. This means you use less MediSave or cash, especially for B2 and C ward types. With MediShield Life, you’ll remain covered for life, regardless of your age or health condition.
Author Bowtie Team
Date 2022-09-22
Updated on 2022-09-26
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What is MediShield?Coverage of MediShield LifeWho is eligible for MediShield Life?Premiums of MediShield LifeAre there any subsidies / support to pay the premiums?How can I enhance MediShield Life coverage?How to claim MediShield Life?

All Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are eligible, including the very old and those who have pre-existing conditions. You can pay your annual premiums using your MediSave, or a family member’s. The Government also provides significant subsidies and support to keep premiums affordable and ensure that everyone can remain covered.

MediShield Life In Singapore

What is MediShield?

MediShield Life is a basic health insurance plan, administered by the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board, which helps to pay for large hospital bills and selected costly outpatient treatments, such as dialysis and chemotherapy for cancer. It is structured so that patients pay less MediSave/cash for large hospital bills.

Coverage of MediShield Life

1.Lifelong coverage

With MediShield Life, you’ll remain covered for life, regardless of your age or health condition.

2. Hospitalisation or day surgery

MediShield Life can help reduce your cash outlay for large hospital bills.

3. Outpatient treatment

MediShield Life covers expensive, recurring outpatient treatments, such as kidney dialysis, cancer drugs, and radiotherapy.

4. Long-term care

You’re covered for costs incurred in community hospitals and inpatient palliative care services.

Find out the benefits of MediShield Life coverage here.

Who is eligible for MediShield Life?

All Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are automatically covered.

Premiums of MediShield Life

The premiums you pay depends on your age group. It’ll also include any rebates or subsidies you’re eligible for. If you’re covered under an Integrated Shield Plan (IP) which includes the MediShield Life component, your insurer will let you know what your IP premiums are. You can check what your premiums are at the ‘Coverage and premium details’ section on your Healthcare dashboard.

You are covered by MediShield Life even if you have a serious pre-existing medical condition. If you have a listed pre-existing condition, you will need to pay 30% additional premium for the first 10 years. Thereafter, you will pay the same standard premiums as others in your age group.

Are there any subsidies / support to pay the premiums?

1. Premium Subsidies

Premium Subsidies are available to lower to middle income families with household monthly income per person of $2,800 and below and a premium subsidy of up to 50%.

2. Pioneer Generation Subsidies

Pioneers* receive subsidies of between 40-60%, along with $250 – $900 every year in MediSave top-ups, depending on their age. Pioneers who need to pay additional premiums because of pre-existing medical conditions will also receive an additional MediSave top-up of $50 to $200 a year until 2025. 

*Pioneers are Singapore Citizens born on or before 31 December 1949 and had obtained Singapore citizenship on or before 31 December 1986.

3. Merdeka Generation Subsidies

Merdeka Generation Seniors* receive additional subsidies of 5%-10% depending on their age, along with $200 every year in MediSave top-ups until 2023.

*Merdeka Generation seniors are Singapore Citizens born on or before 31 December 1959, had obtained Singapore citizenship on or before 31 December 1996, and did not receive the Pioneer Generation Package.

4. One-off COVID-19 Subsidies

​​COVID-19 Subsidies are automatically granted to all Singapore Citizens for two years (with policy commencement or renewal on and after 1 March 2021). The Government will subsidise 70% of the net increase in premiums (after taking into account existing premium subsidies) in the first year, followed by 30% in the second year.

 5. Additional Premium Support (APS)

Additional Premium Support helps families who still need assistance even after Government subsidies and MediSave use. Therefore, no one needs to worry about losing their MediShield Life coverage due to inability to afford the premiums.

How can I enhance MediShield Life coverage?

If you plan to use an A/B1-type ward in a public hospital or go to a private hospital for your future hospitalisations, you can consider purchasing a MediSave-approved private Integrated Shield Plan (IP), an insurance plan that comprises MediShield Life and private insurance coverage providing additional benefits and coverage (e.g. to cover the costs of private hospitals or A/B1-type wards in the public hospitals).

 

How to claim MediShield Life?

  • Making a claim under MediShield Life is quite simple. 

If you have no Integrated Shield Plan 

  1. Inform the staff handling your hospital admission or outpatient treatment that you wish to make a claim. 
  2. The medical institution will submit your claim on your behalf. 
  3. The CPF Board will process your claim and the MediShield Life payout will be used to offset part of your bill. 
  4. The remaining amount on your bill can be covered by MediSave (up to specified limits) and/or cash. 

If you have an Integrated Shield Plan 

  1. Your private insurer will process your claim and make the total payment to the medical institution on your behalf. This will include the MediShield Life portion of the payout. 
  2. The remaining amount on your bill can be covered by Medisave and/or cash.
1.Is MediShield Life compulsory?

MediShield Life provides universal healthcare coverage to all Singaporeans and Permanent Residents for life, regardless of their pre-existing medical conditions. Coverage is mandatory for Singapore residents and cannot be cancelled or terminated.

2.How to pay the premiums?

The payment options for MediShield Life premiums include: 

You can view the premium deduction in your Transaction history at the CPF website.

3.What is the hotline for MediShield Life?

For MediShield Life enquiries, contact CPF at 1800 222 3399 /65 6222 3399 (overseas) from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm (GMT8 / excluding public holidays). You can also write to them.

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The above information was provided by Bowtie Team. It is for reference only. In no event shall Bowtie be liable to you or to any other party for any loss or damage whatsoever or howsoever caused directly or indirectly in connection with your access to or use of the content thereon.

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