Foreign worker medical insurance in Singapore is mandatory for employers of Work Permit and S Pass holders, including migrant domestic workers. Employers must provide at least S$60,000 a year in coverage for inpatient care and day surgery while meeting MOM rules on claims, exclusions, premiums and hospital payments. Knowing where the policy ends and employer liability begins can make these costs easier to manage.
Foreign worker medical insurance in Singapore is employer-funded medical coverage for Work Permit and S Pass holders, including migrant domestic workers. Employers must buy and maintain the policy and cannot pass the premium cost to the worker.
Requirements that took effect in full from 1 July 2025 introduced rules on minimum coverage, larger claims, permitted exclusions, age-based premiums and direct hospital payments. Employers therefore need to understand not only what the policy covers, but also which medical costs may still remain their responsibility.
Who needs medical insurance when hiring foreign workers in Singapore?
Employers hiring foreign workers in Singapore need to check whether mandatory medical insurance applies to each worker’s pass type. The requirement covers:
Employment Pass holders are not covered by this mandatory medical insurance requirement. Their employers are not legally required to buy medical insurance for them, although it may still be included in an employment package.
Singapore work permit salary requirements are a separate compliance area that should be managed independently from medical insurance. Salary rules vary by sector and pass type.
Under Singapore employment law, employers remain responsible for their foreign workers’ medical treatment costs. Medical insurance helps limit some of the financial exposure that comes with this responsibility.
Migrant domestic workers have another insurance requirement. Their employers must also buy personal accident insurance with at least S$60,000 in coverage. This is separate from medical insurance and covers accidental death and permanent disablement rather than medical expenses.
What does MOM require from employers?
MOM sets minimum standards for medical insurance covering Work Permit and S Pass holders. For policies with start dates from 1 July 2025, the requirements include:
- Minimum annual claim limit: The policy must provide at least S$60,000 per worker per year for inpatient care and day surgery.
- Co-payment structure: The insurer covers the first S$15,000 of eligible claims in full. For eligible claims above S$15,000, the insurer pays 75% and the employer pays 25%, subject to the annual limit.
- Standardised exclusions: Insurers may only apply exclusion clauses permitted under MOM requirements.
- Age-differentiated premiums: Policies must use two age bands covering workers aged 50 and below and workers above 50.
- Direct hospital payment: Once an eligible claim is assessed as admissible, the insurer pays the hospital directly for the insurer-covered portion.
These rules establish the minimum protection employers must maintain. They do not mean every medical expense incurred by a worker will be fully covered.
Read more: How To Claim Hospital Bills with Employer Insurance and IP Plans in Singapore
What does the S$60,000 foreign worker medical insurance in Singapore limit covers
The S$60,000 figure is the minimum annual claim limit for mandatory medical insurance. It does not mean the insurer will pay every medical bill in full.
For eligible claims above S$15,000, the insurer covers the first S$15,000 in full. The insurer then pays 75% of the amount above that threshold while the employer pays 25%, subject to the policy terms and annual limit.
The S$60,000 requirement is MOM’s minimum annual claim limit. Policies may apply the limit on a per-policy-year aggregate basis or per disability or condition. The difference matters when a worker has several claims or a prolonged medical condition within the same year, so employers should check how the limit applies under their policy.
MOM has estimated that more than 99% of inpatient and day surgery bills incurred by Work Permit and S Pass holders will fall within the S$60,000 coverage. This is an MOM projection rather than a measured outcome. Employers remain liable for costs that fall outside the policy or exceed the applicable limit.
How premiums are determined for foreign worker medical insurance in Singapore
Medical insurance premiums are a recurring employer expense alongside costs such as work pass fees and the foreign worker levy in Singapore employers pay.
MOM does not set standard premium amounts. Individual insurers determine their own pricing based on factors such as the worker’s age and the scope of the policy.
The enhanced requirements use two age bands for workers aged 50 and below and workers above 50. This reflects the higher medical costs typically associated with older workers.
Coverage also affects the premium. A policy that only meets MOM’s minimum requirements for inpatient care and day surgery may cost differently from one that includes outpatient, dental or other benefits.
Factors that may affect the premium include:
- Worker age band
- Annual coverage limit
- Scope of covered treatments
- Applicable exclusions
- Inclusion of outpatient or specialist benefits
- Insurer and plan tier
Employers should factor medical insurance into their wider employment budget together with the foreign worker levy in Singapore and other ongoing costs.
What the mandatory minimum covers and what it does not
The MOM minimum requirement focuses on inpatient care and day surgery. It does not require the policy to cover every type of medical treatment a foreign worker may need.
Common services outside the mandatory minimum include the following.
1. Outpatient treatment
Outpatient treatment is not part of the mandatory minimum. General practitioner visits, follow-up consultations and outpatient medication are covered only if the policy includes these benefits.
2. Specialist consultations
Specialist care is also outside the mandatory minimum. Coverage for referrals, consultations and follow-up treatment depends on the policy terms.
3. Dental treatment
Dental care is not included in MOM’s minimum requirement. Some insurers may offer dental benefits as an optional or enhanced feature.
4. Coverage above S$60,000
The mandatory requirement sets a minimum annual limit rather than a maximum. Some insurers offer policies with coverage above S$60,000.
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Direct hospital payment and reimbursement
Direct hospital payment affects how eligible bills are settled between the insurer, employer and hospital. For policies with start dates from 1 July 2025, insurers must pay hospitals directly once a claim is assessed as admissible.
This differs from a reimbursement arrangement where the employer pays the hospital first and later claims back the insurer-covered amount.
The employer’s 25% share of eligible claims above S$15,000 remains payable by the employer by default. Some insurers offer an optional co-payment waiver rider for an additional premium that transfers this portion to the insurer.
Employers who want to reduce their direct out-of-pocket exposure on larger eligible claims should check whether the policy includes or offers this waiver.
Foreign worker medical insurance vs Work Injury Compensation insurance
These two types of insurance address different risks, and an employer may need both for the same worker.
Medical insurance covers inpatient care and day surgery expenses, including hospital bills for conditions that may not be work-related. In comparison, the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) deals with work-related injuries and diseases instead.
WICA provides for medical leave wages, medical expenses and lump-sum compensation for permanent incapacity or death. It covers local and foreign employees under a contract of service regardless of salary, age or citizenship, although domestic workers are not covered.
Foreign worker medical insurance therefore does not replace work injury compensation protection for workplace injuries. The two forms of cover serve different purposes.
Read more: What SME Insurance Should Your Business Have in Singapore
Who pays for the cost of medical insurance to workers?
Employers cannot pass mandatory medical insurance premiums to their workers. MOM does not allow employers to deduct the insurance cost from a worker’s salary or require the worker to pay for the policy.
Some employers may separately arrange for workers to share part of their medical bills under MOM conditions. These arrangements relate to medical expenses rather than insurance premiums and are subject to rules on the amount, duration and worker’s consent.
This type of medical bill co-payment does not apply to migrant domestic workers.
How to purchase and maintain foreign worker medical insurance in Singapore
Employers may buy medical insurance from any insurer as long as the policy meets MOM’s minimum requirements. MOM also maintains a list of insurers offering enhanced medical insurance policies. When hiring foreign workers in Singapore, use the following steps to check and maintain the required coverage:
1. Confirm the worker pass type
The worker’s pass type determines which insurance requirements apply. Employers should confirm whether the worker holds a Work Permit, S Pass or migrant domestic worker Work Permit before arranging coverage.
2. Verify the policy meets MOM requirements
The policy must provide at least S$60,000 in annual coverage for inpatient care and day surgery. Policies subject to the enhanced requirements must also meet the Stage 2 rules effective from 1 July 2025.
3. Review the exclusions
Insurers may only apply exclusion clauses permitted under MOM requirements. Employers should read the policy documents carefully to understand what is covered and what remains excluded.
4. Submit insurance details to MOM
For Work Permit holders, employers must submit the medical insurance details online before the Work Permit is issued or renewed and whenever the policy details change. The required information includes insurer name, policy number, commencement date, and expiry date.
5. Maintain coverage throughout employment
The medical insurance must remain valid for the full duration of the Work Permit. Employers are responsible for renewing the policy before it expires.
Read more: Understanding Employment Rights in Singapore
Conclusion
A separate policy may not always be necessary if a worker already has qualifying medical insurance. The existing coverage must still satisfy MOM’s requirements.
For example, an employer does not need to buy a separate policy for a Work Permit holder who also holds a Dependant’s Pass and already has a qualifying plan, provided the coverage remains valid for the full Work Permit period.
An overseas policy may also be accepted if it is valid in Singapore, meets the minimum coverage requirements and is paid for by the employer. Before relying on an existing policy, employers should confirm with MOM that it qualifies and continues to meet the requirements for foreign worker medical insurance in Singapore.
Frequently asked questions
Is foreign worker medical insurance mandatory in Singapore?
Yes. According to MOM, employers must buy and maintain medical insurance for all Work Permit and S Pass holders, including migrant domestic workers. The insurance is a legal requirement and the cost cannot be passed on to the worker.
Who pays for foreign worker medical insurance?
The employer is responsible for purchasing and maintaining the mandatory medical insurance policy. Employers are not permitted to deduct or recover the insurance premium from the worker’s salary.
How much coverage does the policy need?
The minimum is S$60,000 of annual coverage for inpatient care and day surgery per worker. For eligible claims above S$15,000, the insurer pays 75%, and the employer pays the remaining 25%.
Can employers pass the cost of medical insurance to workers?
No. Employers cannot deduct the insurance premium from the worker’s salary or require workers to pay for the policy. Certain medical bill co-payments, not premiums, may be shared with the worker under specific MOM-approved conditions.
Do employers need to submit medical insurance details to MOM?
Yes. Employers must submit the insurance details online before the work permit is issued or renewed and whenever the policy details change. Information required includes the insurer name, policy number, and the policy start and end dates.
