Many Singaporeans have Integrated Shield Plans (IPs), which are private insurance plans for hospitalisation, typically sized to cover treatment at Class A / B1 wards in public hospitals or private hospitals. 

What are IPs? 

IPs comprise two components:  

• The first component is MediShield Life, administered by the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board. MediShield Life is a basic health insurance plan sized for subsidised treatment in public hospitals. MediShield Life provides protection for all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents for life, including for any serious pre-existing conditions. 

• The second is an additional private insurance component administered by private insurers. This component provides additional coverage, typically to cover Class A/B1 wards in public hospitals or private hospitals, and may also provide additional benefits (e.g., coverage for pre-/post-hospitalisation). 

 If you have an IP, you already have MediShield Life coverage and there is no duplicate coverage. The private IP insurers act as a single point of contact for IP policyholders, working with the CPF Board on premium collection and MediShield Life claims disbursement. 

 As the private insurance component provides additional coverage, you will have to pay additional premiums on top of MediShield Life premiums. These additional premiums are payable by MediSave up to the Additional Withdrawal Limits (AWLs) below.  

AWLs for IP Policyholders  

The list of IPs and comparison of their coverage and premiums can be found here.  
 

Factors to Consider when Buying or Switching IPs  

• Ward class: Whether you are likely to stay in a Class B2/C-class ward, or choose to go to a higher-class ward in a public hospital or a private hospital. Choose a plan that is sized to cover your preferred ward class. 

• Doctor / provider: Whether you are fine with any doctor in the public hospital. If you want to choose your own doctor, you have to opt for unsubsidised care, and having an IP would therefore help cover the higher bills. 

• Additional benefits: IPs may cover additional treatments and services such as pre-/post-hospitalisation and emergency overseas treatments. Consider whether the additional premiums are worth the additional coverage.  

• Pre-existing medical conditions: Check whether the private insurer will cover all your pre-existing medical conditions. Insurers may exclude these conditions from coverage or charge higher premiums to cover them, depending on their own actuarial and commercial considerations.      

• Premiums: Most importantly, consider whether you can afford an IP in the long run. As you age, your premiums will increase and may strain your finances if not planned for adequately, leading to affordability issues in later years. You can refer to MOH’s website for a comparison of premiums you will have to pay in your lifetime, across different IPs. 

Use the Health Insurance Planner (HIP) to visualise long-term, personalised projections of your MediSave savings and health insurance premiums, and compare IPs for your preferred ward class. 

Regardless of IP coverage, all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are covered by MediShield Life for life, including for any serious pre-existing conditions.