BEST INTEGRATED SHIELD PLANS (UPDATED APRIL 2023)

What is an Integrated Shield Plan?

An Integrated Shield (IP) Plan supplements the existing MediShield Life plan that covers all Singaporeans and Permanent residents (PRs). Unlike the government-issued MediShield Life, the IP is not compulsory.

And, while MediShield Life is managed by the Central Provident Fund Board, the IP component is managed by selected private insurers in Singapore to cover your treatments in private hospitals, public hospital Class A or Class B1 wards.

Why is hospitalisation insurance necessary?

Hospitalisation insurance protects you from one of the biggest financial risks you might ever face — healthcare expenses. An unexpected accident or illness can be costly enough to wipe out your savings and retirement funds.

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There are seven private insurers offering IPs

AIA: HealthShield Gold Max
Singlife: Singlife Shield (Previously Myshield by Aviva)
HSBC Life: HSBC Life Shield
Great Eastern: SupremeHealth
Income: Enhanced IncomeShield
Prudential: PruShield
Raffles Health Insurance: Raffles Shield

What is an Integrated Shield Plan?

An Integrated Shield (IP) Plan supplements the existing MediShield Life plan that’s mandatory for all Singaporeans and PRs. Unlike the government-issued MediShield Life, the IP is not compulsory.

And, while MediShield Life is managed by the Central Provident Fund Board, the IP component is managed by selected private insurers in Singapore to cover your treatments in private hospitals, public hospital Class A or Class B1 wards.

Why is health insurance necessary?

Hospitalisation insurance protects you from one of the biggest financial risks you might ever face — healthcare expenses. An unexpected accident or illness can be costly enough to wipe out your savings and retirement funds.

Get quote

There are seven private insurers offering IPs

AIA: HealthShield Gold Max
Singlife: Singlife Shield
HSBC Life: HSBC Life Shield (Previously AXA Shield)
Great Eastern: SupremeHealth
Income: Enhanced IncomeShield
Prudential: PruShield
Raffles Health Insurance: Raffles Shield

Highest claim limit: HSBC Life Shield Plan A
Outpatient benefits: AIA HealthShield Gold Max, HSBC Life Shield
Most value for money rider: Great Eastern Classic Care & Singlife Health Plus Lite
Longest post hospitalisation – Panel: AIA HealthShield Gold Max A
Longest post hospitalisation – Non-panel: PruShield Premier & HSBC Life Shield A
Best for preggers: AIA HealthShield Gold Max A, Singlife Shield & GREAT SupremeShield

 

Compare Integrated Shield Plans by ward class

Benefits standard across all plans

Daily Ward and Treatment Charges & Surgery
As Charged
Cancer Treatment and Kidney Dialysis
Major Organ Transplant
Pregnancy and Delivery-Related Complications Benefit
Lifetime Claim limitUnlimited
Last Entry Age / Maximum Coverage Age75 / Lifetime
Deductibles per policy year
Class C $1,500,
Class B2 $2,000,
Class B1 $2,500,
Class A & Private hospital $3,500
Co-insurance10%

Key benefits

Benefit with highest limit

InsurerPre- & Post-Hospitalisation (Days)Community HospitalDeductibles (Per Policy Year)Day surgery / Short stay wardsPolicy Year Limit
AIA HealthShield Gold Max APanel: 13 / 13 mths Non-panel: 100 / 100 daysAs Charged2KPanel: $2MNon-panel $1M
Great Eastern GREAT SupremeHealth P PLUSPanel: 120 / 365 daysNon-panel: 120 / 180 daysSub-acute Care: $1,100/day Rehabilitation Care: $780/day$3.5K$1.5M
HSBC Life Shield A180 / 365 daysAs Charged (up to 45 days)$3KPanel: $2.5MNon-panel $1M
Income Enhanced IncomeShield PreferredPanel: 180 / 365 days Non-panel: 100 / 100 daysAs Charged (up to 90 days for each admission)$2K – $3.5K$1.5M
Prudential PruShield Premier180 / 365 daysAs Charged$1K-$2K$1.2M
Singlife Shield Plan 1Panel: 180 / 365 daysNon-panel: 90 / 180 daysAs Charged$2K – $3.5KPanel with pre-auth: $2.5MNon-panel $1M
Raffles Health Insurance Raffles Shield PrivatePanel: 180 / 365 daysNon-panel: 90 / 180 daysAs Charged (up to 45 days)$2K-$3KPanel: $1.6MNon-panel $600K

Cancer benefits

Insurer Outpatient Cancer Treatment Monthly Limits Drugs on Cancer drug list (CDL) Outpatient Cancer Drug Services Outpatient Cancer Drug Treatment Drugs NOT on Cancer drug list (CDL)
AIA HealthShield Gold Max A5x Medishield Life limit (Up to 10x with AIA Max A Cancer Care Booster)5x Medishield Life limit (Up to 10x with AIA Max A Cancer Care Booster)Up to $200,000/ yr with AIA Max A cancer Care Booster, otherwise $0
Great Eastern GREAT SupremeHealth P PLUS5x MSHL limit (As charged with TotalCare riders)5x MSHL limit (As charged with TotalCare riders)Up to S$120,000/ yr with Totalcare riders, otherwise $0
HSBC Life Shield A5x MSHL limits5x MSHL limitsS$30,000 /mth
Income Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred5x MSHL limit(Up to 10x with rider)5x MSHL limitUp to S$15,000/ mth
Prudential PruShield Premier5x MSHL limits (Up to 15x with PruExtra rider)5x MSHL limits (Up to 15x with PruExtra rider)Up to S$150,000 / yr with PruExtra rider, otherwise $0
Singlife Shield Plan 15x MSHL limits5x MSHL limitsUp to S$30,000/ yr with Health Plus riders, otherwise $0
Raffles Health Insurance Raffles Shield Private4x MSHL limit4x MSHL limitUp to S$20,000/ yr with Premier rider, Up to $5,000 with Key rider, otherwise $0.

 

Additional benefits

InsurerInpaitent PsychiatricLiving Donor Organ Transplant as insuredCongenital Abnormalities BenefitInpatient Palliative CareEmergency / Planned overseas treatment
AIA HealthShield Gold Max A$5K/yr (Additional post-hospitalisation psychiatric treatment of $5K/yr within 200 days after Confinement)$60K/transplantAs ChargedAs ChargedReimburse the Eligible Expenses (Benefit payable shall be limited to the level of Reasonable and Customary charges in a Singapore Private Hospital)
Great Eastern GREAT SupremeHealth P PLUS$25K/yr (Including pre & post hospitalisation benefits)$60K/transplant$20K/yr (Within 730 days of last policy effective date) As Charged(After 730 days from last policy effective date)$800/dayAs Charged but limited to costs of Singapore private hospitals
HSBC Life Shield AUp to $5K, capped at 35 days / policy yr (Additional post-hospitalisation psychiatric treatment of $5,000 / policy yr, within 200 days after discharge)$60K/transplantAs Charged(with 12-mth waiting period)As ChargedAs Charged (pegged to Reasonable and Customary charges of Singapore Private Hospitals)
Income Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred$7K/yr$60K/transplantAs Charged (with 12-mth waiting period)As ChargedAs Charged but limited to costs of Singapore private hospitals
Prudential PruShield Premier$4K/yr$60K/yr$20K/yr (If diagnosed or symptoms first appear within 24 mths)As Charged (If diagnosed or symptoms first appear after 24 mths)As Charged (paying the lower of:- the overseas charges; or- in accordance with a Singapore Private Hospital’s charges)
Singlife Shield Plan 1As Charged (up to 60 days) [with 10-mth waiting period] $500/day (up to 35 days) [without waiting period]$50K/lifetimeAs Charged(with 12-mth waiting period)As Charged but limited to costs of Singapore private hospitals
Raffles Health Insurance Raffles Shield Private$8K/yr (Includes post hospitalisation psychiatric treatment up to 90 days)$60K/transplantAs Charged(with 24-mth waiting period)As Charged (limited to Panel charges and subject to Pro-ration factor)

Pregnancy related benefits

InsurerFree new-born benefitCongenital Abnormalities Benefit of Insured’s biological child from birth
Pregnancy complications
AIA HealthShield Gold Max A
[Only for insured female] $20K/lifetime. Limited to $5K/child

As chargedGreat Eastern GREAT SupremeHealth P PLUS

$20K/lifetime. Limited to $5,000 / child

As chargedHSBC Life Shield AAs chargedIncome Enhanced IncomeShield PreferredAs chargedPrudential PruShield PremierAs chargedSinglife Shield Plan 1$50K/yrAs chargedRaffles Health Insurance Raffles Shield PrivateAs charged

Plan AIA HealthShield Gold Max A Great Eastern GREAT SupremeHealth P PLUS HSBC Life Shield A Income Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred Prudential PruShield Premier Singlife Shield Plan 1 Raffles Health Insurance Raffles Shield Private
Policy Year LimitPanel: $2,000,000 Non-panel $1,000,000$1,500,000Panel: $2,500,000 Non-panel $1,000,000$1,500,000$1,200,000Panel with pre-auth: $2,000,000 Non-panel $1,000,000Panel: $1,600,000 Non-panel $600,000
Lifetime claim limitUnlimited
Daily Ward and Treatment Charges & Surgery
As Charged
Major Organ Transplant
Pregnancy and Delivery-Related Complications Benefit
Kidney Dialysis
Outpatient Cancer Treatment Monthly Limits Drugs on Cancer drug list (CDL)5x MSHL limits (Up to 16x with AIA Max A Cancer Care Booster)5x MSHL limits (Up to 18x with TotalCare riders)5x MSHL limits5x MSHL limits (Up to 10x with rider)5x MSHL limits (Up to 15x with PruExtra Rider)5x MSHL limits4x MSHL limits
Outpatient Cancer Drug Services5x Medishield Life limit (Up to 10x with AIA Max A Cancer Care Booster)5x MSHL limit (As charged with TotalCare riders)5x MSHL limits5x MSHL limit5x MSHL limits (Up to 15x with PruExtra Rider)5x MSHL limits4x MSHL limit
Outpatient Cancer Drug TreatmentDrugs NOT on Cancer drug list (CDL)Up to $200,000/ yr with AIA Max A cancer Care Booster, otherwise $0Up to $250,000/yr with Totalcare riders, otherwise $0$30,000 /mthUp to $15,000/mthUp to $150,000 / yr with PruExtra rider, otherwise $0Up to $30,000/ yr with Health Plus riders, otherwise $0Up to $20,000/yr with Premier rider, Up to $5,000/yr with Key rider, otherwise $0.
Pre- & Post-Hospitalisation Treatment (Panel includes Public hospitals)Panel: 13 / 13 mths Non-panel: 100 / 100 daysPanel: 120 / 365 days Non-panel: 120 / 180 days180 / 365 daysPanel: 180 / 365 days Non-panel: 100 / 100 days180 / 365 daysPanel: 180 / 365 days Non-panel: 90 / 180 daysPanel: 180 / 365 days Non-panel: 90 / 180 days
Community HospitalAs ChargedSub-acute Care: $1,100/day Rehabilitation Care: $780/dayAs Charged (up to 45 days)As Charged (up to 90 days for each admission)As ChargedAs ChargedAs Charged (up to 45 days)
Inpatient Psychiatric$5,000/yr (Additional post-hospitalisation psychiatric treatment of $5,000/yr within 200 days after Confinement)$25,000/yr (Including pre & post hospitalisation benefits)Up to $5,000, capped at 60 days / policy yr (Additional post-hospitalisation psychiatric treatment of $5,000 / policy yr, within 200 days after discharge)$7,000/yr$4,000/yrAs Charged (up to 60 days) [with 10-month waiting period] $500/day (up to 35 days) (without waiting period)$8,000/yr (Includes post hospitalisation psychiatric treatment up to 90 days)
Inpatient Palliative CareAs Charged$800/dayAs Charged
Living Donor Organ Transplant as insured$60,000 / transplant$60,000 / transplant$60,000 / transplant$60,000 / transplant$60,000/ yr$50,000/lifetime$60,000 / transplant
Congenital Abnormalities BenefitAs ChargedAs chargedAs Charged (with 12-month waiting period)As Charged (with 12-month waiting period)$20,000/yr (If diagnosed or symptoms first appear within 24 months)As Charged (If diagnosed or symptoms first appear after 24 months)As Charged (with 12-month waiting period)As Charged (with 24-month waiting period)
Congenital Abnormalities Benefit of Insured’s biological child from birth(Only for insured female) $20,000/lifetime. Limited to $5,000/child$20,000/lifetime Limited to $5,000 / child
Critical IllnessesAdditional $100,000/yr limit (for 30 Critical Illnesses)Additional $150,000/yr (for 5 Critical Illnesses)
Emergency overseas treatmentReimburse the Eligible Expenses (Benefit payable shall be limited to the level of Reasonable and Customary charges in a Singapore PrivateHospital)As Charged but limited to costs of Singapore private hospitalsAs Charged (pegged to Reasonable and Customary charges of Singapore Private Hospitals)As Charged but limited to costs of Singapore private hospitals
As Charged (paying the lower of:– the overseas charges; or– in accordance with a Singapore Private Hospital’s charges)
As Charged but limited to costs of Singapore private hospitals
As Charged (limited to Panel charges and subject to Pro-ration factor)
Planned overseas treatment
Final Expense Benefit$5,000$7,000$5,000$5,000$10,000$5,000
Free new-born benefit$50,000/yr
Deductibles (Per policy year)Class B2 $2,000, Class B1 $2,500, Class A and Private hospital $3,500
Deductibles (Per policy year)Day surgery / Short stay wards$2,000$3,500$3,000$2,000 – $3,500$1,000-$2,000$2,000 – $3,500$2,000-$3,000
Co-insurance10%
Last Entry Age / Maximum Coverage AgeAge 75 / Lifetime
Source: MOH, Income, AIA, Singlife, HSBC Life, Great Eastern, Prudential, Raffles Health Insurance. Only As Charged plans are featured

Benefits standard across all plans

Daily Ward and Treatment Charges & Surgery
As Charged
Cancer Treatment and Kidney Dialysis
Major Organ Transplant
Pregnancy and Delivery-Related Complications Benefit
Lifetime Claim limitUnlimited
Last Entry Age / Maximum Coverage Age75 / Lifetime
Deductibles per policy year
Class C $1,500,
Class B2 $2,000,
Class B1 $2,500,
Class A and Private hospital $3,500
Co-insurance10%

Key benefits

Benefit with highest limit

InsurerPre- & Post-Hospitalisation (Days)Community HospitalDeductibles (Per Policy Year) Day surgery / Short stay wardsPolicy Year Limit
AIA HealthShield Gold Max B180 / 180 days (with additional 100 days for 30 critical illnesses)As Charged$2K
$1M Additional $75K (for 30 Critical Illnesses)
Great Eastern GREAT SupremeHealth A PLUSPanel: 120 / 365 days Non-panel: 120 / 180 daysSub-acute Care: $1,100/day Rehabilitation Care: $780/day$1.5K – $3.5K$1M
HSBC Life Shield Plan B180 / 365 daysAs Charged (up to 45 days)$3K$550K
Income Enhanced IncomeShield AdvantagePanel: 180 / 365 days Non-panel: 100 / 100 daysAs Charged (up to 90 days for each admission)$2K – $5.25K$500K
Prudential PruShield Plus180 / 365 daysAs Charged$1.5K – $2K
$600K / Unlimited
Singlife Shield Plan 2Panel: 180 / 365 days Non-panel: 90 / 180 daysAs Charged$2K – $3.5K
$1M Additional $100K (for 5 Critical Illnesses)
Raffles Health Insurance Raffles Shield APanel: 180 / 365 days Non-panel: 90 / 180 daysAs Charged (up to 45 days)$2K – $3K$600K

Cancer benefits

Insurer Outpatient Cancer Treatment Monthly Limits Drugs on Cancer drug list (CDL) Outpatient Cancer Drug Services Outpatient Cancer Drug Treatment Drugs NOT on Cancer drug list (CDL)
AIA HealthShield Gold Max B5x MSHL limits (Up to 10x with AIA Max A Cancer Care Booster)5x Medishield Life limit (Up to 8x with AIA Max B)Up to $50K/yr with AIA Max B, otherwise $0
Great Eastern GREAT SupremeHealth A PLUS5x MSHL limits (Up to 12x with rider)5x MSHL limit (As charged with riders)Up to S$120K/yr with rider, otherwise $0
HSBC Life Shield Plan B5x MSHL limits5x MSHL limitsS$30K/mth
Income Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage4x MSHL limits (Up to 8x with rider)4x MSHL limitUp to S$7K/mth
Prudential PruShield Plus5x MSHL limits (Up to 15x with rider)5x MSHL limits (Up to 15x with rider)Up to S$150K/yr with rider, otherwise $0
Singlife Shield Plan 25x MSHL limits5x MSHL limitsUp to S$30K/yr with rider, otherwise $0
Raffles Health Insurance Raffles Shield A4x MSHL limits4x MSHL limitUp to S$20K/yr with Premier rider, Up to $5K/yr with Key rider, otherwise $0.

Additional benefits

InsurerPre- & Post-Hospitalisation (Days)Community HospitalDeductibles (Per Policy Year) Day surgery / Short stay wardsPolicy Year Limit
AIA HealthShield Gold Max B180 / 180 days (with additional 100 days for 30 critical illnesses)As Charged$2K
$1M Additional $75K (for 30 Critical Illnesses)
Great Eastern GREAT SupremeHealth A PLUSPanel: 120 / 365 days Non-panel: 120 / 180 daysSub-acute Care: $1,100/day Rehabilitation Care: $780/day$1.5K – $3.5K$1M
HSBC Life Shield Plan B180 / 365 daysAs Charged (up to 45 days)$3K$550K
Income Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage100 / 100 daysAs Charged (up to 90 days for each admission)$2K – $5.25K$500K
Prudential PruShield Plus180 / 365 daysAs Charged$1.5K – $2K
$600K / Unlimited
Singlife Shield Plan 2Panel: 180 / 365 days Non-panel: 90 / 180 daysAs Charged$2K – $3.5K
$1M Additional $100K (for 5 Critical Illnesses)
Raffles Health Insurance Raffles Shield APanel: 180 / 365 days Non-panel: 90 / 180 daysAs Charged (up to 45 days)$2K – $3K$600K

Pregnancy related benefits

InsurerFree new-born benefitCongenital Abnormalities Benefit of Insured’s biological child from birth
Pregnancy complications
AIA HealthShield Gold Max B[Only for insured female] $16,000/lifetime. Limited to $4,000/childAs charged
Great Eastern GREAT SupremeHealth A PLUS$16,000/lifetime. Limited to $4,000/childAs charged
HSBC Life Shield Plan BAs charged
Income Enhanced IncomeShield AdvantageAs charged
Prudential PruShield PlusAs charged
Singlife Shield Plan 2$50,000/yrAs charged
Raffles Health Insurance Raffles Shield AAs charged
ItemAIA HealthShield Gold Max BGreat Eastern GREAT SupremeHealth A PLUSHSBC Life Shield Plan BIncome Enhanced IncomeShield AdvantagePrudential PruShield PlusSinglife Shield Plan 2Raffles Health Insurance Raffles Shield A
Policy Year Limit$1,000,000$1,000,000$550,000$500,000$600,000$1,000,000$600,000
Lifetime claim limitUnlimited
Daily Ward and Treatment Charges & Surgery
As Charged
Major Organ Transplant
Pregnancy and Delivery-Related Complications Benefit
Kidney Dialysis
Outpatient Cancer Treatment Monthly Limits Drugs on Cancer drug list (CDL)5x MSHL limits (Up to 10x with AIA Max A Cancer Care Booster)5x MSHL limits (Up to 12x with rider)5x MSHL limits4x MSHL limits (Up to 8x with rider)5x MSHL limits (Up to 15x with rider)5x MSHL limits4x MSHL limits
Outpatient Cancer Drug Services5x Medishield Life limit (Up to 8x with AIA Max B)5x MSHL limit (As charged with riders)5x MSHL limits4x MSHL limit5x MSHL limits (Up to 15x with rider)5x MSHL limits4x MSHL limit
Outpatient Cancer Drug TreatmentDrugs NOT on Cancer drug list (CDL)Up to $50,000/yr with AIA Max B, otherwise $0Up to S$120,000/yr with rider, otherwise $0S$30,000/mthUp to S$7,000/mthUp to S$150,000/yr with rider, otherwise $0Up to S$30,000/yr with rider, otherwise $0Up to S$20,000/yr with Premier rider, Up to $5,000/yr with Key rider, otherwise $0.
Pre- & Post-Hospitalisation Treatment (Panel includes Public hospitals)180 / 180 days (with additional 100 days for 30 critical illnesses)Panel: 120 / 365 days Non-Panel: 120 / 180 days180 / 365 days100 / 100 days180 / 365 daysPanel: 180 / 365 days Non-Panel: 90 / 180 daysPanel: 180 / 365 days Non-Panel: 90 / 180 days
Community HospitalAs ChargedSub-acute Care: $1,100/day Rehabilitation Care: $780/dayAs Charged (up to 45 days)As Charged (up to 90 days for each admission)As ChargedAs ChargedAs Charged (up to 45 days)
Inpatient Psychiatric$4,000/yr (Additional post-hospitalisation psychiatric treatment of $2,500/yr within 200 days after Confinement)$22,000/yr (Including pre & post hospitalisation benefits)Up to $4,000, capped at 60 days / policy yr (Additional post-hospitalisation psychiatric treatment of $2,500 / policy yr, within 200 days after discharge)$7,000/yr$3,500/yrAs Charged (up to 45 days) [with 10-month waiting period] $500/day (up to 35 days) [without waiting period]$6,000/yr (Includes post hospitalisation psychiatric treatment up to 90 days)
Inpatient Palliative CareAs Charged$780/dayAs Charged
Living Donor Organ Transplant as insured$40,000/transplant$40,000/transplant$40,000/transplant$40,000/transplant$40,000/yr$30,000/lifetime$40,000/transplant
Congenital Abnormalities BenefitAs ChargedAs ChargedAs Charged (with 12-mth waiting period)As Charged (with 12-mth waiting period)$15,000/yr (If diagnosed or symptoms first appear within 24 months) As Charged (If diagnosed or symptoms first appear after 24 months)As Charged (with 12-mth waiting period)As Charged (with 24-mth waiting period)
Congenital Abnormalities Benefit of Insured’s biological child from birth(Only for insured female) $16,000/lifetime. Limited to $4,000/child (with 10 month waiting period)$16,000/lifetime. Limited to $4,00 /child (with 300 days waiting period)
Critical IllnessesAdditional $75,000/yr limit (for 30 Critical Illnesses)Additional $100,000/yr (for 5 Critical Illnesses)
Emergency overseas treatmentReimburse the Eligible Expenses (Benefit payable shall be limited to the level of Reasonable and Customary charges in a Singapore Private Hospital)As Charged (But limited to Singapore Restructured Hospitals, Class A Ward charges)As Charged (pegged to Reasonable and Customary charges of Singapore Restructured Hospitals)As Charged but limited to costs of ward class A in Singapore restructured hospitalsAs Charged (paying the lower of:– the overseas charges; or– in accordance with a Singapore Restructured Hospital’s charges)As Charged (pegged to costs of restructured hospitals in Singapore)As Charged (limited to Singapore Restructured Hospital Class A Ward charges)
Planned overseas treatmentAs Charged (paying the lower of:– the overseas charges; or– in accordance with a Singapore Restructured Hospital’s charges)As Charged (pegged to costs of restructured hospitals in Singapore)
Proration factors / Proration factors for Private Outpatient ClinicsPrivate Hospitals – 70%Private Hospitals – 70%Private Hospitals – 70%Private Hospitals – 65%Private Hospitals – 65%Private hospitals/ Hospitals outside Singapore – 50%Raffles Hospital – 70% Private Hospitals (except Raffles Hospital) – 60%
Final Expense Benefit$3,500$6,000$5,000$3,000$10,000$4,000
Free new-born benefit$50,000/yr
Deductibles (Per policy year)Class B2 $2,000Class B1 $2,500Class A and Private hospital $3,500
Deductibles (Per policy year)Day surgery / Short stay wards$2,000$1,500 – $3,500$3,000$2,000 – $5,250$1,500 – $2,000$2,000 – $3,500$2,000-$3,000
Co-insurance10%
Last Entry Age / Maximum Coverage AgeAge 75 / Lifetime

Source: MOH, Income, AIA, Singlife, HSBC Life, Great Eastern, Prudential, Raffles Health Insurance. Only As Charged plans are featured

Riders attached to IPs

With an IP, you will still be required to pay for the deductible and co-insurance out-of-pocket.
Adding on a rider can help to reduce the out-of-pocket costs.
Here you can view the benefits of the riders side-by-side. We are comparing the out-of-pocket costs based on a $100,000 claim in a private hospital (Deductible based on Private hospital / Public A ward).

Value for money with higher out of pocket

Lower overall out of pocket for panel claim

Plan rider
AIA Max VitalHealth A rider Great Eastern
GREAT Totalcare P rider
HSBC Life Enhanced care A rider Income Deluxe rider PRUExtra Premier CoPay / PRUExtra Preferred CoPay rider Singlife Health Plus Private Prime rider Raffles Key Rider
Panel & Non-panel with pre-authorisationNon-panel w/o pre-authorisationPanel with pre-authorisationNon-panelPanelNon-panelPanelNon-panelPanelNon-panelPanel with pre-authorisationNon-panelPanelNon-panel
Deductible$0$2,000$0$0$0$1,500$0$05% of deductible$500$1,000$0$0
Co-payment5% capped at $3,000/yr5%5% capped at $3,000/yr5%5% capped at $3,000/yr5%5% capped at $3,000/yr5%50% of co-insurance amount5%, capped at $3,000/yr5%, capped at $12,750/yr5%, capped at $3,000/yr5%
Overall out of pocket$3,000$7,000$3,000$5,000$3,000$6,500$3,000$5,000$3,000$5,000$3,500$6,000$3,000$5,000
Claims based pricingNoYesNoNoYesNoNo
Plan rider
AIA Max VitalHealth A Value riderGreat Eastern
GREAT TotalCare P Select rider
Income Classic Care riderPRUExtra Premier Lite CoPay riderSinglife Health Plus Private Lite rider
Panel & Non-panel with pre-authorisationNon-panel w/o pre-authorisationPanelNon-panelPanelNon-panelPanelNon-panelPanel with pre-authorisationNon-panel
Deductible$3,500$3,500$0
Deductible or 5% whichever higher
$0$2,00050% of deductible amount, capped at $1,750/yr100% of deductible
Co-payment10%, capped at $6,000/yr10%5%10% capped at $3,000/yr10%50% of co-insurance amount5%, capped at $3,000/yr5%, capped at $12,750/yr
Overall out of pocket$6,000$14,000$5,000$5,000$3,000$12,000$3,000$6,575$6,500$8,500
Claims based pricingNoYesNoYesNo

Source: MOH, Income, AIA, Singlife, HSBC Life, Great Eastern, Prudential, Raffles Health Insurance. Only As Charged plans are featured

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Understanding MediShield Life

MediShield Life is designed to cover B2/C class ward costs.

MediShield Life is designed to be affordable for the masses, which means its coverage is comparatively minimal.

According to the Ministry of Health, some two-thirds of patients in Singapore opt for Class B2 or Class C wards when admitted to hospitals.

If you’d prefer to stay in a higher class ward or in a private hospital, MediShield Life benefits offered in this higher class wards will be pro-rated based on the costs in Class B2/C wards before claims are computed. You can choose to pay for the difference using your MediSave, cash savings, or an IP. 

Source: MOH

Claim limits are capped by category with MediShield Life 

In the unfortunate event that you get hospitalised, the maximum claimable limit for surgeries is $2,600. Considering surgery fees tend to run into the thousands, it’s easy to see why Singaporeans and PRs turn to Integrated Shield Plans to lighten the brunt of costly surgical procedures. 

MediShield Life also doesn’t cover you for pre- or post-hospitalisation treatments. This include medical consultations and scans, physiotherapy, or post-surgery follow-up sessions. In fact, such treatments often amount to more than the actual surgery itself, making it all the more important that you factor in these additional costs. 

Bill ItemMediShield Life aloneWith an Integrated Shield Plan
Surgical feesUp to S$2,600
Up to annual claim limit .e.g S$2 Million
Annual limitS$150,000
Daily ward chargesS$800/day
ChemotherapyS$2,000/mth for cancer drug treatment on CDL
S$1,200/mth for cancer drug services
Up to 15x monthly MSHL limits
Pre- and post hospital medical expensesS$0Up to 365 days pre- and 13 months post- hospital stay

What’s the difference between hospital wards in Singapore?

In Singapore, there are several kinds of hospital-class wards in public hospitals. Here’s a quick look at how they differ. Facilities may differ depending on which medical institution you’re admitted to.

Hospital Ward /
Class Type
Facilities
Public CFive to six beds
No air-conditioning; fan ventilation
Shared bathroom
Public B2Five beds
No air-conditioning; fan ventilation
Shared bathroom
Public B1Four beds
Air-conditioning with fan ventilation
Shared bathroom
TV and telephone
A1One bed
Air-conditioning with fan ventilation
En suite shower and toilet
TV and telephone
Day bed
Public Private hospitalOne bed
Air-conditioning
TV and telephone
Day bed (2-4 beds are available too)

Extracted from Sengkang General Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Hospital

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How does an Integrated Shield Plan complement MediShield Life?

Integrated Shield Plans help to increase your benefits to cover costs of treatments incurred in B1 wards, up to Private hospitals. 

Note that there is no duplicate coverage or double premium payment if you opt to have an IP.

Source: MOH

So how much of your bill can you claim for?

Depending on the tier of coverage you have, we have illustrated how the claims will differ.

In general, the cost out of your own pocket will be the lowest when you are covered by an IP and rider, while treated by an panel doctor. The out-of-pocket sum differs slightly from each insurer, Refer to the comparison above with example.

Note: The above diagram is for illustrative purposes only. Please note that pro-ration will apply for private hospital bill or public/restructured hospital class A/B1 ward bill under MediShield Life, which is sized for class B2/C bills.

Types of Integrated Shield Plans available

  • Private hospital

  • Public A ward class

  • Public B ward class

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Paying for your Integrated Shield Plans and Rider premiums

The premiums for all hospitalisation insurance increases with age and this applies to the premiums for MediShield Life and IPs too. The increase reflects the higher propensity for older people to require medical treatments.

Annual premiums for your IP can be made via your MediSave account up to a limit. This limit is also known as the Additional Withdrawal Limits. This limit applies to each insured person, and not per medisave account. Which means you could use your MediSave account to pay for your parent’s, spouse’s, sibling’s and children’s IPs and the limits would apply separately.

The limit that Singaporeans and PRs can draw from their MediSave account increases with age, to help accommodate the raised premiums.

This table shows the maximum amount that could be used from the MediSave account to pay for IPs.

AgeAdditional Withdrawal Limit (Annual)
40 and belowS$300
41 to 70S$600
71 and aboveS$900

Example:

Paul purchased IPs for himself and his wife. He is 39 years old and his wife 41.

The total withdrawal limits will be S$300 + S$600, totaling S$900 each year. If the premium for the IP is S$350 for himself and S$610 for his wife, he will be able to use S$900 from his MediSave account to pay for his premiums and the remaining S$60 (S$50+S$10) in cash.

Premiums for Riders

Premiums for riders that are attached to your IP can only be paid via cash.

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What happens if I need to make a claim under my Integrated Shield Plan?

There are some key points to note when you need to utilise your insurance.

IPs work on a reimbursement basis, which means you will need to pay first and claim from your insurance later. There are some ways to work around having to pay a huge sum upfront.

Depending on whether you have a rider or not, and if you are treated by the insurer’s approved panel doctor, your claim limits will differ. Refer to section above.

Pre-authorisation (Must do if it’s not an emergency)

If you are planning for a procedure in advance, it’s recommended to get a pre-authorisation done before the day of admission.

Benefits of pre-authorisation

  • Cashless admission: the bill will be sent to the insurer directly with little to no cash payout required from your end
  • Increased claim limits such a longer pre- and post-hospitalisation duration and higher overall claim limits  

Letter of Guarantee to waive off deposit (Only for Singaporeans and PRs)

A Letter of Guarantee (LOG) is a letter issued by insurers to selected hospitals to fully or partially waive the hospital upfront cash deposit for hospitalisations or surgeries, based on the estimated portion of the bill covered by the insurance. An LOG can be applied through “Electronic-filing” during the admission process at the hospital. This can reduce the upfront cash deposit amount that you have to make with the hospital. 

All IP insurers provide LOGs and you may check with your IP insurer for more information.

If the bill is larger than the LOG amount, upon discharge, you may still be required by your hospital to settle your hospital bill. Once your insurer assesses your claim, the insurer will make payment to the hospital and you will be reimbursed by the hospital.

Common reasons for not providing a Letter of Guarantee

  • Estimated bill size is below the deductible
  • Duration between policy inception and LOG application is shorter than insurer's stipulated minimum duration for LOG eligibility
  • Medical condition is a pre-existing medical condition that the policyholder had before the commencement of the policy
  • Medical condition is excluded from the policy
  • General exclusions, such as pregnancy and maternity expenses

Source: MOH

Filing of claim

If you are a Singapore citizen or PR, the LOG “Electronic-filing” would mean that your claim has been filed.

If you are a foreigner, in most cases (unless you do a pre-authorisation), you will need to pay for the bill first and get reimbursed after. 

Read more about what is covered and what is not under your IP.

How fast are the claims processed?

According to MOH, most claims are processed by the insurer within 2 days, improved from 3 days in 2021. 

Source: MOH

Median Claims Processing Duration means that 50 out of 100 claims are processed by the insurer within the indicated number of days in the table.

75th Percentile Claims Processing Duration means 75 out of 100 claims are processed by the insurer within the indicated number of days in the table.

* As RHI was approved to provide IPs from 16 July 2018 onwards, the number of claims processed by RHI is currently insufficient for analysis.

The statistics refer to claims from Integrated Shield Plan and does not include rider claims. It also does not reveal the number of rejected claims and the difficulty of the pre-authorisation of the claims.

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How do you know if you have one already?

If you're unsure of whether your current health insurance plan is an Integrated Shield Plan, you can simply log on to the Central Provident Fund (CPF) website to check. Make sure you have your SingPass in order to check.

    1. Go to cpf.gov.sg
    2. Log on to my cpf Online Services
    3. Go to "My Messages"
    4. See "Insurance" section to see which insurer you are under

  1. Login to the respective insurer customer portal to retrieve details of your plan.

Managing rising healthcare costs

Research by MOH found that medical bills are 60% higher when there is no need for patients to pay anything. To manage rising healthcare costs, MOH implemented a range of initiatives which included:

  • Fee Benchmarks Advisory Committee in January 2018
  • With effect from 1st April 2021, all IP riders have to incorporate a co-payment of at least 5% and Insurers can set a co-payment cap of S$3,000 or more per policy year. For example, if you incur a hospitalisation bill of S$15,000, a 5% co-payment will mean having to fork out S$750, with the remaining S$14,250 being covered by the private Integrated Shield plan.
  • MOH is monitoring doctors who charge excessive fees and will take action against doctors who overcharge or over-service.

For existing policyholders with full riders, we go through the implications of this change in this article.

Some insurers have also implemented a claims based pricing to incentivise those who make no claims. Policyholders who do not make a claim will enjoy a discount off their rider premiums. This will range between 20% to 25%, depending on the insurer. 

Prudential has claims-based pricing in place since 2017. Great Eastern has implemented it since March 2021, AIA in April 2021 and Singlife in March 2023.

While this appears to benefit healthy policyholders, it could become detrimental when we eventually fall ill. So it will be good to factor in additional funds for increased premium rates when you draw out your budget for insurance premiums.

If you do decide to get an Integrated Shield Plan, take the time to properly peruse your options before committing, and consider setting a personal budget you can actually stick to. Getting covered for private hospitals might not be necessary, particularly if you’re concerned about premium costs more than the comfort and convenience.

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