Best Integrated Shield Plans in Singapore (2026 Comparison)
Updated Apr 2026: Upgrade your hospitalisation cover with confidence. We compare all 7 MOH-approved Integrated Shield Plans including AIA, Singlife, and Income to find the best cancer coverage (CDL), longest post-hospitalisation care, and most affordable co-payment riders.
An Integrated Shield Plan (IP) is a private health insurance plan that supplements MediShield Life, Singapore’s national basic health insurance scheme. It is designed to provide enhanced hospitalisation coverage and greater flexibility of care.
Every Singapore Citizen or PR is automatically covered under MediShield Life, but IPs allow you to upgrade your protection, covering higher ward classes (A/B1) and even private hospitals. This means you can choose your own doctor, enjoy shorter waiting times, and access a wider range of medical facilities.
IPs combine two layers of protection:
MediShield Life (base layer): government-run, covers basic subsidised hospitalisation.
Private IP component: offered by approved insurers, enhances benefits and limits.
With escalating healthcare costs, an IP ensures you don’t need to compromise on quality care due to financial worries.
Key takeaways
Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) enhance MediShield Life by covering higher ward classes (B1, A, or private hospitals).
The best IP depends on your preferred hospital type, rider structure, and tolerance for out-of-pocket costs.
Riders reduce deductibles and co-insurance but must be paid in cash.
Pre-authorisation and panel doctor usage can significantly improve claim outcomes and reduce upfront payments.
Differences between plans often come from cancer drug coverage, post-hospitalisation limits, and rider pricing models.
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While MediShield Life covers basic hospitalisation, it may not be enough if you:
Prefer private hospitals
Want to avoid large co-payments
Need coverage for longer hospital stays
Have dependants relying on you financially
Best Integrated Shield Plan in Singapore (2026)
The following comparison highlights all plans across insurance providers based on policy design and benefit structure..
Best Integrated Shield Plans by feature
Highest claim limit: HSBC Life Shield Plan A
No claim discounts: HSBC Life Enhanced Care A II, PRUExtra Premier Care, Singlife Health Plus Plan 1
Longest post hospitalisation – Panel: AIA HealthShield Gold Max A
Longest post hospitalisation – Non-panel: PRUShield Premier, PRUShield Plus
Best for preggers: AIA HealthShield Gold Max A, GREAT SupremeHealth P Plus, PRUShield Premier
2026 Comparison: Best IPs for Private vs. Public Hospital Wards
Choosing the right ward class determines your level of comfort, doctor choice, and eventual costs. Private-hospital IPs offer flexibility and privacy, while Public A/B1 IPs provide strong coverage at lower cost.
Panel: Refers to receiving treatment from a doctor included in the insurer’s pre-approved panel of healthcare providers and all public hospitals.
Non-panel: Refers to receiving treatment from a doctor outside of the insurer’s pre-approved panel list.
While the tables above focus on IPs that offer comprehensive private and public hospital access, several niche products were excluded from this comparison because their coverage structure or eligibility differs significantly.
These products may still suit specific policyholders but are not directly comparable.
Great Eastern SupremeShield Prime Plan – public / partner hospitals only
Raffles Shield A Plan (with Raffles option) – limited to Raffles Hospital and public hospitals
Raffles Shield High-Deductible Option – $10,000 deductible, outside standard IP comparison
Raffles Shield Premier Rider – optional add-on for family accommodation, TCM, home care, accident outpatient, and ambulance benefits
Choosing an Integrated Shield Plan is a long-term commitment. Speak with our licensed, non-commissioned experts to get an unbiased recommendation tailored to your budget and preferred hospital ward.
Integrated Shield Plan riders: Out-of-pocket costs & pricing structure
A rider is an optional add-on that enhances your IP by reducing what you pay during a claim.
More than 90% of Planner Bee clients choose to take up a rider togetherwith their Integrated Shield Plan, as it helps cap out-of-pocket costs and improve claim certainty.
Without a rider, you’re responsible for both the deductible and co-insurance portions. With the right rider, your out-of-pocket payment can be capped, often at ~$8,000 per policy year.
Co-payment and deductible structure
All IPs include a deductible (a fixed amount you must pay before insurance applies) and co-insurance (a percentage of the remainder).
Typical amounts:
Deductible: $1,500 – $3,500
Co-insurance: 5–10% of the bill
Riders reduce these expenses and, when used with panel doctors and pre-authorisation, allow cashless admission.
The table below compares Integrated Shield Plan riders side by side, highlighting how much you would pay out of pocket for a $100,000 claim at a private hospital, based on private hospital or public Class A ward deductibles.
Riders with higher premiums and overall lower out of pocket co-payment
Riders after 1 Apr 2026
Rider type
Panel doctor
Non-panel doctor
Deductible
Co-insurance (% of bill)
Overall out of pocket
Deductible
Co-insurance (% of bill)
Overall out of pocket
AIA Max VitalHealth Pro A + Cancer Care Pro Booster
$3,500
$4,825
(5% of bill capped at $6,000)
$8,325
$3,500
$4,825 (5% of bill)
$6,900
Great Eastern GREAT TotalCare P Signature
$4,825 (5% of bill)
$8,325
HSBC Life Enhanced Care A
$4,825 (5% of bill)
$8,325
Income Deluxe
$7,720 (8% of bill)
$11,250
PRUExtra Premier CoPay
$4,825 (5% of bill)
$8,325
Singlife Health Plus Private Prime
$4,825 (5% of bill)
$8,325
Raffles Key
$4,825 (5% of bill capped at $12,750)
$8,325
Riders before 1 Apr 2026
Rider type
Panel doctor
Non-panel doctor
Deductible
Co-insurance (% of bill)
Overall out of pocket
Deductible
Co-insurance (% of bill)
Overall out of pocket
AIA Max VitalHealth A
$0*
$3,000 (5% of bill capped at $3,000)
$3,000
$2,000
$4,900 (5% of bill)
$6,900
Great Eastern GREAT TotalCare P Signature
$0
$4,825 (5% of bill)
$3,000 (Capped at $3,000)
$3,500
$4,825 (5% of bill)
$8,325
HSBC Life Enhanced Care A
$0
$3,000 (5% of bill capped at $3,000)
$3,000
$1,500
$4,825 (5% of bill)
$6,325
Income Deluxe
$0
$3,000 (5% of bill capped at $3,000)
$3,000
$2,000
$5,000 (5% of bill)
$7,000
PRUExtra Premier CoPay
$175 (5% of deductible incurred under PruShield)
$4,825 (5% of bill)
$3,000 (Capped at $3,000)
$2,075 ($2,000 + 5% of deductible incurred under main plan in excess of $2,000)
$4,825 (5% of bill)
$6,900
Singlife Health Plus Private Prime
$0
$3,000 (5% of bill capped at $3,000)
$3,000
$1,000
$4,825 (5% of bill)
$5,825
Raffles Key
$0
$3,000 (5% of bill capped at $3,000)
$3,000
$0
$4,825 (5% of bill)
$4,825
* Applicable to non-panel doctors with pre-authorisation too
Riders with lower premiums and higher out of pocket co-payment
Riders after 1 Apr 2026
Rider type
Panel doctor
Non-panel doctor
Deductible
Co-insurance (% of bill)
Overall out of pocket
Deductible
Co-insurance (% of bill)
Overall out of pocket
Great Eastern Great TotalCare 2 P Prime
$3,500
5% of bill capped at $6,000 / yr
$8,325
$6,000
40% of bill
$43,600
Income Essential Care
7% of bill capped at $6,000 / yr
$9,500
$3,500
10% of bill
$13,150
PRUExtra Preferred Care
5% of bill capped at $6,000 / yr
$8,325
$3,500
10% of bill
$13,150
Riders before 1 Apr 2026
Rider type
Panel doctor
Non-panel doctor
Deductible
Co-insurance (% of bill)
Overall out of pocket
Deductible
Co-insurance (% of bill)
Overall out of pocket
AIA Max VitalHealth A Value
$3,500
$6,000 (10% of bill capped at $6,000)
$9,500
$3,500
$9,650 (10% of bill)
$12,650
Great Eastern Great Totalcare P Prime
$1,500
$6,500 (5% of bill capped at $6,500)
$8,500
$6,000
$37,600 (40% of bill)
$43,600
Income Classic Care
$0
$3,000 (10% of bill capped at $3,000)
$3,000
$2,000
$9,800 (10% of bill)
$11,800
PRUExtra Premier Lite CoPay
$1,750 (50% of deductible incurred under PruShield, capped at $1,750)
Rising cancer drug costs in Singapore are driven by both higher patient numbers (up 29% from ~22,500 in 2017 to ~29,100 in 2020) and higher drug prices—often 50% to 100% more than in countries like Australia and Taiwan.
How the framework works:
MSHL limits: Monthly claim caps per drug, typically ranging from $200 to $9,600, based on cost and clinical value.
Cancer Drug List (CDL): A list of approved treatments that are clinically effective and cost-efficient. Only drugs on this list are claimable under MediShield Life.
What this means for you:
Only CDL-listed drugs are claimable (unless your rider covers non-CDL drugs).
Claims are capped by the drug’s MSHL limit.
Most Integrated Shield Plan riders provide coverage as a multiple of the MSHL limit (e.g. 2×, 5×).
In practice, your total coverage depends on:
The MSHL limit of your prescribed drug, and
The multiplier from your insurance plan.
Please see the table below for details on cancer coverage available with the respective insurance riders.
Outpatient Cancer Treatment monthly limits for drugs on Cancer Drug List (CDL)
Outpatient Cancer drug services monthly limit
Outpatient Cancer drug treatment limits for drugs NOT on Cancer Drug List
AIA HealthShield Gold Max A with one of the following rider options:
AIA Max VitalHealth Pro A + Cancer Care Pro Booster
AIA Max VitalHealth A (or A Value) rider + AIA Max A Cancer Care Booster
AIA Max VitalHealth A Value rider + AIA Max A Cancer Care Booster
16x Medishield Life (MSHL) limit
10x MSHL limit
Up to $200,000 / yr
AIA HealthShield Gold Max A + AIA Max VitalHealth A (or A Value) rider
5x MSHL limit
5x MSHL limit
$0
Great Eastern GREAT SupremeHealth P PLUS with one of the following rider options:
Great TotalCare 2 P
Great TotalCare 2 P Prime
Great TotalCare P Optimum
20x MSHL limit
20x MSHL limit
Up to $200,000 / yr
HSBC Life Shield A with one of the following rider options:
Enhanced Care A II
Enhanced Care A
18x MSHL limit
15x MSHL limit
$30,000 / mth
Income Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred with one of the following rider options:
Optima Care
Essential Care
Deluxe Care
Classic Care
18x MSHL limit
5x MSHL limit
Up to $15,000 / mth
Prudential PruShield Premier with one of the following rider options:
PRUExtra Premier Care
PRUExtra Preferred Care
PruExtra Premier Copay
PruExtra Copay Lite
20x MSHL limit
20x MSHL limit
Up to $150,000 / yr
Singlife Shield Plan 1 with Cancer Cover Plus II rider
Up to $1.5million / yr
Singlife Shield Plan 1 with one of the following rider options:
Health Plus Plan 1
Health Plus Private Lite
Health Plus Private Prime
20x MSHL limit
5x MSHL limit
Up to $15,000 / mth
Raffles Health Insurance Shield Private + Cancer Guard Private rider
22x MSHL limit
19x MSHL limit
Up to $250,000 / year
Raffles Health Insurance Shield Private with one of the following rider options:
Choice Private
Key Private
5x MSHL limit5x MSHL limit
Up to $5,000 / year
Plan with applicable rider
Outpatient Cancer Treatment monthly limits for drugs on Cancer Drug List (CDL)
Outpatient Cancer drug services monthly limit
Outpatient Cancer drug treatment limits for drugs NOT on Cancer Drug List
AIA HealthShield Gold Max B + AIA Max VitalHealth B rider
21x MediShield Life (MSHL) limit
15x MSHL Life limit
Up to $100,000 / yr
Great Eastern GREAT SupremeHealth A PLUS + Great TotalCare A rider
15x MSHL limit
15x MSHL limit
Up to $175,000 / yr
HSBC Life Shield B + Enhanced Care rider
23x MSHL limit
20x MSHL limit
Up to $30,000 / mth
Income Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage + Deluxe Care (or Classic Care) rider
23x MSHL limit
5x MSHL limit
Up to $7,000 / mth
Prudential PruShield Plus + PruExtra Plus CoPay rider
20x MSHL limit
20x MSHL limit
Up to $150,000 / yr
Singlife Shield Plan 2 + Cancer Cover Plus II rider
Up to $1.5million / yr
Singlife Shield Plan 2 + Health Plus rider
20x MSHL limit
5x MSHL limit
Up to $15,000 / mth
Raffles Health Insurance Shield A + Key Rider + Cancer Guard rider
23x MSHL limit
20x MSHL limit
Up to $250,000 / year
Raffles Health Insurance Shield A + Key rider
5x MSHL limit
5x MSHL limit
Up to $5,000 / year
If you would like to enhance your existing cancer coverage, you can purchase Singlife Cancer Care Plus II even if you are not currently covered under a Singlife IP.
If your current IP does not provide sufficient coverage for cancer treatments, you can purchase this rider to enhance your benefits. This is especially beneficial for those with pre-existing conditions who are concerned about the costs of cancer treatment.
In the unfortunate event that you get hospitalised, the maximum claimable limit for surgeries is $2,600. Considering that surgery fees can often run into the thousands, it’s easy to see why many Singaporeans and PRs turn to Integrated Shield Plans to help cover the high costs of surgical procedures.
MediShield Life has fixed limits for wards, surgeries, and outpatient treatments. When you choose private or A-class wards, benefits are pro-rated to B2/C levels. An IP raises these limits and extends coverage to pre- and post-hospitalisation care.
Bill item
MediShield Life alone
With an Integrated Shield Plan
Surgical fees
Up to $3,900
Up to annual claim limit .e.g $2 Million
Annual limit
$200,000
Daily ward charges
$830 / day
Chemotherapy
$2,000 / mth for cancer drug treatment on CDL $1,200 / mth for cancer drug services
Up to 15x monthly MSHL limits
Pre- and post hospital medical expenses
$0
Up to 365 days pre- and 13 months post- hospital stay
Applicable 1 Apr 2025 onwards
Understanding Hospital Ward Types in Singapore
Each ward class differs in subsidy level, comfort, and privacy. Choosing wisely can balance cost and convenience.
Note: The diagram above is for illustrative purposes only. Please note that pro-ration applies to private hospital bills or public/restructured hospital class A/B1 ward bills under MediShield Life, as it is designed to cover class B2/C ward bills.
How to pay for Integrated Shield Plans and rider premiums
Premiums for MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) increase with age, reflecting the higher likelihood of medical treatment needs.
You can pay your IP premiums using MediSave, up to a limit called the Additional Withdrawal Limit (AWL). This limit applies per insured person, not per MediSave account, and can also be used to pay for your family members’ IPs.
Age
Additional annual withdrawal limit
40 and below
$300
41 to 70
$600
71 and above
$900
Example: Paul (age 39) and his wife (age 41) both have Integrated Shield Plans.
Paul can use up to $300 from MediSave
His wife can use up to $600 from MediSave
This gives them a combined MediSave limit of $900. If their total IP premiums come to $960, MediSave covers $900, and the remaining $60 is paid in cash.
Paying for Riders
Rider premiums must be paid in cash and increase with age. If your insurer uses Claims-based pricing, staying claim-free keeps your renewal cheaper. Riders are optional but ideal for those wanting predictable medical costs.
Here are some key points to note when utilising your insurance.
IPs work on a reimbursement basis, meaning you will need to pay upfront and claim from your insurance later. There are ways to minimise the need to pay a huge sum initially.
Your claim limits will vary depending on whether you have a rider and if you are treated by the insurer’s approved panel doctor. For more details, refer to the section above.
Pre-authorisation (Must do if it’s not an emergency)
If you are planning a procedure in advance, it’s recommended to get a pre-authorisation before the day of admission.
Benefits of pre-authorisation:
Cashless admission: The bill will be sent directly to the insurer, requiring little to no cash payout from you.
Increased claim limits: This includes longer pre- and post-hospitalisation durations, as well as higher overall claim limits.
Letter of Guarantee to waive off deposit (Only for Singaporeans and PRs)
A Letter of Guarantee (LOG) is issued by insurers to selected hospitals, allowing them to fully or partially waive the upfront cash deposit for hospitalisation or surgeries, based on the estimated portion of the bill covered by your insurance.
You can apply for an LOG through the “Electronic-filing” process during admission at the hospital. This helps reduce the upfront cash deposit you need to pay to the hospital.
All IP insurers provide LOGs. You can check with your IP insurer for more information.
If the bill exceeds the LOG amount, you may still be required to settle the remaining balance with the hospital upon discharge. After your insurer assesses your claim, they will make payment directly to the hospital, and you will be reimbursed by the hospital.
Common reasons for not providing a Letter of Guarantee:
The estimated bill size is below the deductible.
The duration between policy inception and LOG application is shorter than insurer's minimum eligibility period.
The medical condition is a pre-existing condition that existed before the policy’s commencement.
The medical condition is excluded from the policy.
General exclusions, such as pregnancy and maternity expenses.
Filing of claim
If you are a Singapore citizen or PR, the LOG “Electronic-filing” typically indicates that your claim has been filed. If you are a foreigner, in most cases, you will need to pay for the bill upfront and seek reimbursement afterward, unless pre-authorisation is arranged.
For more details, refer to your IP to understand what is covered and what is not.
How fast are the claims processed?
Claims processing speeds differ across insurers, but most are settled quickly.
Based on MOH data (1 Apr – 30 Jun 2025):
AIA, Great Eastern, HSBC Life, Income: same-day processing
The statistics refer exclusively to claims from the Integrated Shield Plan and do not include rider claims. They also do not provide information about the number of rejected claims or the challenges associated with pre-authorisation of claims.
Medical costs in Singapore have been increasing steadily. Research by the MOH shows that medical bills are about 60% higher when patients don’t pay anything out-of-pocket. To manage these rising costs, both MOH and insurers have introduced measures to encourage more responsible healthcare spending.
Fee Benchmarks Advisory Committee in January 2018
From 1st April 2021, all IP riders must include a co-payment of at least 5%.
MOH is actively monitoring doctors who charge excessive fees. Action will be taken against those found to be overcharging or over-servicing.
To further promote cost-conscious behaviour, several insurers have introduced claims-based pricing (CBP).
Under this system, policyholders who make no claims enjoy 20–25% discounts on their rider premiums upon renewal, while those who make claims may face higher premiums in the future.
Integrated shield plan riders & pricing models compared
Rider
Claims based pricing
AIA Max VitalHealth Pro A
No
AIA Max VitalHealth A
No
AIA Max VitalHealth A Value
No
AIA Max VitalCare
Yes, 25% discount for renewals if there are no claims. Premiums can increase up to 2 times after claims. Link to details
Great Eastern GREAT TotalCare 2 P Prime
No
Great Eastern GREAT TotalCare 2 P
No
Great Eastern GREAT TotalCare P Signature
Yes, 20% discount for renewals if there are no claims. Premiums can increase up to 2.5 times after claims. Link to details
Great Eastern GREAT TotalCare P Optimum (Not for sale wef 1 Oct 2025)
No
HSBC Life Enhanced Care A II
Yes, 10-20% discount for renewals if there are no claims. Premiums will not increase with claims.
HSBC Life Enhanced Care A
Yes, 10-20% discount for renewals if there are no claims. Premiums will not increase with claims.
Income Essential Care
No
Income Optima Care
No
Income Deluxe
No
Income Classic Care
No
PRUExtra Premier Care
Yes, 20% discount for renewals if there are no claims. Premiums can increase up to 2 times after claims. Link to details
PRUExtra Preferred Care
No
PRUExtra Premier CoPay
Yes, 20% discount for renewals if there are no claims. Premiums can increase up to 3 times after claims. Link to details
PRUExtra Premier Lite CoPay
No
Singlife Health Plus Plan 1
Yes, 20% discount for renewals if there are no claims. Premiums will not increase with claims.
Singlife Health Plus Private Prime
Yes, 20% discount for renewals if there are no claims. Premiums will not increase with claims.
Singlife Health Plus Private Lite
Yes, 20% discount for renewals if there are no claims. Premiums will not increase with claims.
Raffles Choice A
No
Raffles Key A
No
While CBP rewards healthy individuals, it’s important to plan for potential premium increases if you fall ill later on. When choosing your IP, balance the level of hospital coverage you need with your long-term budget and comfort preferences.
Frequently asked questions about IP
1. Is an Integrated Shield Plan worth it if I’m young and healthy?
Yes. Early sign-up ensures you get covered without any exclusions on pre-existing medical conditions.
2. Can I downgrade my Integrated Shield Plan later?
Yes. Downgrades require no underwriting, but upgrades or switches do.
3. Can I use MediSave to pay for premiums?
Yes, you may use MediSave up to the Annual Withdrawal Limit (AWL). Rider premiums must be paid by cash.
4. How does an IP cover cancer treatments under the new CDL?
IPs cover CDL drugs up to MOH limits, and riders can multiply or extend coverage.
5. What happens if I stop paying my IP premiums?
Your IP lapses and reverts to MediShield Life only, and reinstatement may need health checks.
6. Can I switch Integrated Shield Plans later?
Yes, but switching may trigger new underwriting. Choosing wisely early matters.
7. Is private hospital coverage worth it?
It depends on your budget, lifestyle, and expectations. We’ll walk you through real-world cost differences.
8. How do you know if you have one already?
To check your Integrated Shield Plan (IP) details, visit cpf.gov.sg and log in to my cpf Online Services. Next, navigate to the “My Messages” section and look for “Insurance”, which will show which insurer you are covered under. After that, log in to your insurer’s customer portal to view the full details of your Integrated Shield Plan and rider (if applicable).
