International Health Insurance for Expats in Singapore
Singapore has one of the finest public healthcare systems in the world. As a result, the people who live there enjoy excellent health. By nearly every measure, Singapore excels.
The country ranked 6th in the World Health Organization’s 2000 ranking of the world’s health systems, a position it has maintained to the present day.
The Economist Intelligence Unit placed Singapore 2nd out of 166 countries for health-care outcomes. The Bloomberg Global Health Index, which ranks 163 countries, placed Singapore 4th among the world’s healthiest countries.
And in 2019, Singaporeans had the world’s longest life expectancy at 84.8 years. No wonder Singapore is so popular with expats and digital nomads! Here is what foreigners need to know about health insurance in Singapore before they move.
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MediShield Life: National Health System
Singapore has a universal healthcare system that combines public and private facilities. Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PRs) are entitled to subsidized government healthcare services. This is because they contribute to the national mandatory savings plan.
All citizens and PRs are required to subscribe to an approved health insurance or medical care plan known as Medishield Life to access this subsidized healthcare.
Medishield Life subsidizes a significant portion of hospital bills and outpatient treatment costs. In general, Medishield Life policies include a deductible plan. Through this, patients either need to pay a minimum amount before any claims can be made or pay a certain percentage of the medical fees, while the insurer pays the rest.
This public healthcare is offered by government-run “polyclinics” and hospitals. Additionally, the government provides grants and further subsidies, such as the CHAS card, which offers subsidized medical treatment, to assist those who cannot afford premiums and co-payments.
For those who don’t pay their Medishield Life premiums, the penalty is severe. This may involve paying back the interest lost to the Medishield Life Fund, recovering the amount from the individual’s employer or bank, or even taking legal action against them.
Foreigners, such as expats and other short-term visitors to Singapore, receive health coverage through employer-provided international health insurance plans or purchased privately.
Pros and Cons of Using Singapore’s Local Health System
Foreigners don’t qualify for Medishield Life. Foreigners living in Singapore are exempt from contributing to the Central Provident Fund (CPF), which helps fund healthcare and social services.
However, as they are exempt from paying, they are thus unable to access government-subsidized health plans and related services. If they were to visit a public hospital, they’d have to pay.
In general, the cost of a simple medical appointment is not prohibitively expensive. Physicians in public hospitals speak English, have undergone extensive training, and provide excellent care.
However, medical and healthcare costs can quickly spiral upwards should you need any diagnostic tests, specialist consultations, or surgical procedures. In turn, private hospitals in Singapore offer shorter wait times and more comfortable, private facilities.
Are Expats Eligible for Singapore’s Health System?
In short: They can’t. In Singapore, only citizens and permanent residents (PRs) are covered by public healthcare. The term “permanent resident” has a different meaning in Singapore than it does in Europe, where permanent residency is relatively easy to obtain.
Singapore’s PRs have a particular status that can only be acquired after years of residency and an application to the Ministry of Manpower. Most expats in Singapore aren’t PRs, and they never will be.
They’re people who hold visas such as the Employment Pass, the Dependant Pass, and the S-Pass. As such, they aren’t able to contribute to the Central Provident Fund (CPF), which helps fund public healthcare.
For all intents and purposes, foreigners aren’t covered by national Singapore insurance. They don’t qualify for Medishield Life as they are not citizens or permanent residents.
They must pay entirely out of pocket for their medical care unless they have private health insurance, either purchased privately or provided by their employer.
Best Health Insurance for Expats and Foreigners in Singapore
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- Flexible plans tailored to your needs and budget
- 1.5M+ providers in 200+ countries
- 24/7 multilingual customer support
IMG Global Medical Plan
- Affordable global coverage with flexible options
- Coverage area options based on where you live or work
- Visit any doctor or hospital worldwide
Best Global Medical Plan for US Citizens Living in Singapore
BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier
- Unlimited annual and lifetime coverage
- Pre-existing conditions covered with prior insurance
- For U.S. citizens abroad or foreign nationals in the U.S.
What You Need To Know About Processes
If you’re a foreign national on a work permit or S-pass, your employer is required to provide you with health insurance of at least S$15,000 per year. This must be paid for by the employer, except for a possible co-payment component for non-work-related health claims.
The Government of Singapore takes this coverage seriously. If your employer doesn’t comply, they could face substantial fines and even possible imprisonment. Employees, however, are protected and aren’t penalized for the employer’s actions.
Unfortunately, those on an employment pass aren’t covered by their employer’s mandatory insurance. While these workers aren’t required to purchase their own insurance policy, it’s highly recommended that they do so.
Benefits of a Global Medical Insurance Plan
For Singapore citizens and PRs, Medishield is only the beginning of the different insurance options available to the public. A large proportion of people also carry private healthcare insurance that can protect them against long-term care needs, disability care, and income needs, as well as critical illness expenses and lost wages during hospitalization.
Foreigners, however, enjoy none of this. It is their responsibility to source private insurance. Employers often cover this, or it can be purchased from private insurers before moving overseas. While the standard of living in Singapore is very high, so is the cost of living. It’s a brilliant idea to protect yourself against unexpected medical expenses related to loss of health.
While public health standards in Singapore are generally excellent, the healthcare system has struggled with hospital overcrowding and longer wait times for medical care and procedures in recent years. A global medical plan covers you to see a wide range of doctors across multiple facilities, minimizing your waiting times.
How Routine Doctor Visits Work
Unlike some countries, in Singapore, it isn’t necessary to see the same family physician for every visit. That said, most people do stick with the same doctor. They better understand your medical history, and over time, you build trust and strong communication.
Family physicians play an important role in referring patients to specialists and providing the specialist’s office with copies of relevant tests and reports.
However, there are some specialists whom a patient can approach directly. For the most part, these are for elective procedures, such as cosmetic surgery or laser eye procedures. Costs can vary widely for these kinds of appointments, and it pays to shop around.
How To Find A Family Physician in Singapore
You don’t need to register with a family doctor in advance in Singapore. The process is as simple as locating a clinic that’s convenient for you and asking the staff for an appointment. Generally, appointment-based clinics are preferable to walk-in clinics. There, the waiting period could be an hour – or even longer.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Joe Cronin, President of ICI, is a leading expert in international health, life, and travel insurance. An MBA and founder of multiple global businesses, he helps expatriates and travelers access trusted, comprehensive insurance solutions worldwide.
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