Health Insurance Plans in Singapore

Why is it important to have a comprehensive health insurance plan? 

All Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are covered under MediShield Life², a basic health insurance plan administered by the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board which helps to pay for large hospital bills and selected costly outpatient treatments). 

However, medical bills can be expensive and additional private medical insurance can help to minimise financial impact on your quality of life when you are unwell or not fit for work. 

For example, Critical Illness (CI) Insurance pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a critical illness after having undergone a type of surgery covered by the insurance plan³. You may choose to use the payout to pay for medical expenses or treatments that aren't covered by your hospitalisation insurance or MediShield Life. You may also use the payout to cover non-medical costs related to the illness, such as transportation, childcare or engaging a domestic helper.

How much health insurance do I need? 

To know how much health insurance you need, you need to know your protection gap. A protection gap indicates a shortfall in insurance coverage and potential financial vulnerability that can lead to sizable financial burden in the situations of CI, disability and/or death, if you are unprepared. According to a Life Insurance Association Singapore (LIA) study⁴ done in 2022, Singaporeans have a 74% Critical Illness (CI) protection gap. 

How to choose a health insurance plan?

When you are afflicted by a serious illness, you should assume that you would not be able to work for a certain period. Hence you will need to choose a good private medical insurance plan that can provide much-needed financial support in such difficult times. For instance, Critical illness insurance is designed to ease your financial burden during this period as it provides a lump sum payout to ensure that your needs and those of your family continue to be met during your recovery period.   

You can always choose the health insurance plan which best fits your needs after comparison. Find out how to choose between different types of health insurance plans.

What is "waiting period" in a health insurance policy?

A waiting period refers to a specified timeframe during which certain benefits are not immediately available after purchasing a health insurance policy. It is a predetermined period where the policyholder must wait before they can claim coverage for specific medical conditions, treatments, or services. It is essential to review the policy terms and conditions to understand the waiting period associated with different aspects of the health coverage.

What is "pre-existing condition" in a health insurance policy?

A pre-existing condition refers to any medical condition or illness that an individual already has before obtaining a health insurance policy. These conditions can include chronic ailments, injuries, or diseases that have been diagnosed or treated prior to purchasing the insurance policy. Insurance providers often impose limitations or exclusions on coverage for pre-existing conditions, either through waiting periods or by offering coverage with specific terms.

Why choose Manulife's health insurance plans?

Our wide range of health insurance policies are designed to help you overcome financial setbacks when you fall ill. From customisable Critical Illness plans to award-winning Maternity plan, there is a plan suitable for every need.