What Integrated Shield Plan?
Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) combine MediShield Life with private insurance to provide enhanced coverage for hospitalisation and treatments, including stays in private hospitals or higher-class public hospital wards. It consists of two parts:
- MediShield Life, a government-run scheme administered by the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board, which offers basic hospitalisation coverage for all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. It helps cover large medical bills and certain costly outpatient treatments.
- A private insurance component, provided by approved insurers, which extends coverage beyond MediShield Life. This additional coverage allows policyholders to claim higher benefits for stays in Class A or B1 wards in public hospitals or private hospitals, depending on their plan.
| Insurance Company | Integrated Shield Plan |
|---|---|
| AIA | HealthShield Gold Max |
| Great Eastern Life | GREAT SupremeHealth |
| HSBC Life | HSBC Life Shield |
| NTUC Income | Enhanced IncomeShield |
| Prudential | PRUShield |
| Singlife with Aviva | Singlife Shield |
What are the benefits of an Integrated Shield Plan?
MediShield Life helps to cover large hospital bills and selected high-cost outpatient treatments, including dialysis and chemotherapy for cancer. Compared to MediShield Life, Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) offer additional benefits, such as:
- Coverage for pre- and post-hospitalisation treatments
- Access to private specialists and hospitals
- Higher annual claim limits
- Coverage for private hospital stays or Class A/B1 wards in public hospitals
The specific benefits and coverage depend on the insurer and the plan you have chosen. The Ministry of Health (MOH) provides a comparison of Integrated Shield Plans to help you review the available options.
All IPs come with deductibles (up to $3,500) and co-insurance/co-payment (typically 10% of your medical bill). To better understand these terms, you can refer to MOH’s guide.
Premiums for IPs can be paid using MediSave, subject to withdrawal limits set by MOH and CPF.
What are IP Plan Riders?
The IP riders are plans that can be added to your IP to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses such as deductible and co-insurance. With IP Riders, these out-of-pocket expenses can be reduced (e.g. minimum of 5% of your medical bill – details may vary by insurer). These riders are optional add-ons to the main IP Plan, and rider premiums are paid in cash, not Medisave.
| Insurance Company | Integrated Shield Plan | IP Rider |
|---|---|---|
| AIA | HealthShield Gold Max | AIA Max VitalHealth |
| Great Eastern Life | GREAT SupremeHealth | Great TotalCare |
| HSBC Life | HSBC Life Shield | HSBC Life Enhanced Care Rider |
| NTUC Income | Enhanced IncomeShield | Deluxe Care Rider or Classic Care Rider |
| Prudential | PRUShield | PRUExtra Rider |
| Singlife with Aviva | Singlife Shield | Singlife Health Plus |
The IP rider plans would have better coverage (or lower out-of-pocket) expenses if you visit a panel specialist. There is still some coverage at non-panel specialist – details vary according to the insurance plan you have.
Some insurers have also introduced claims-based pricing on their IP Shield Rider plans similar to a No-Claim Discount (NCD) that gives motorists a discount on premiums if they have no claims). This means that policyholders who do not make a claim will enjoy a discount off their rider premiums.
What are the types of specialists under Healthway Medical Group on Integrated Shield Plan insurance panels?
Healthway Medical offers a range of comprehensive specialist disciplines through the Nobel, SBCC Baby & Child Clinic, SBCC Women’s Clinic and Island Orthopaedics brands. We have more than 30 specialists across various disciplines on IP panels to provide patients access to continuity of care and to meet their medical needs.
The disciplines ranges from:
- Cardiology
- Otorhinolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat)
- Gastroenterology
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Ophthalmology
Our specialists, equipped with years of clinical training, advanced education, and experience in a specific area of medicine, aim to provide our patients with convenient access to specialised, comprehensive and holistic treatments.
FAQ
How do I know if I already have an Integrated Shield Plan?
You can check if you have an IP by logging into the CPF website (cpf.gov.sg) and reviewing your MediSave transactions under "Healthcare". If you have an IP, your insurer's name will be listed.
How can I find my preferred specialist on my insurer’s panel?
Find your preferred specialist on the respective IP insurance panels:
- AIA
- GE Life
- Prudential
- NTUC Income
- Singlife with Aviva
- AXA Shield
Can I use MediSave to pay for my Integrated Shield Plan premiums?
Yes, MediSave can be used to pay for IP premiums, but there are withdrawal limits (known as Additional Withdrawal Limits). If your premium exceeds the limit, you’ll need to pay the remaining amount in cash.
I have a Shield Plan, and my employer also has a medical insurance plan, who do I claim from first?
In general, you can submit your claims to multiple insurers, but the total payout from the combination of policies is limited to your actual medical expenses. Due to claims-based pricing from some IP insurers, you should claim from other insurances first (e.g. employers’ group medical insurance, personal hospital income insurance, etc). This may vary significantly from individual to individual, please discuss your personal circumstances with your insurer or financial adviser.
What is the claims process for an Integrated Shield Plan?
Most hospitals will submit claims directly to your insurer and CPF Board on your behalf. If you receive treatment at a private clinic or non-panel specialist, you may need to submit a claim manually.
