Contents

12

14

What You Need to Know About MediShield Life

Examples of MediShield Life Benefits

MediShield Life Premiums and Subsidies

Premium Impact on Some Households

Integrated Shield Plans

What You Need to Know

About MediShield Life

01

What is MediShield Life? What is the difference between

MediShield and MediShield Life? How does it benefit me?
MediShield is a basic healthcare insurance that helps to pay for large hospital
bills and expensive outpatient treatments such as dialysis and chemotherapy for
cancer. It is basic because it targets Class B2/C wards and subsidised treatment
in the public hospitals.
MediShield Life, which will be implemented from end-2015, will offer:
BETTER PROTECTION and higher payouts, so that patients pay less
Medisave/cash for large bills
FOR ALL
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, including the very elderly and
those who have pre-existing illnesses
FOR LIFE

02

What is universal coverage?

Universal coverage refers to the provision of MediShield Life coverage for all
Singaporeans for life, regardless of pre-existing conditions or other reasons that
they may not be covered under MediShield today.
With MediShield Life, all Singaporeans will be covered regardless of their
health condition and life circumstances. Those who are currently insured under
MediShield but have exclusions for pre-existing conditions will also have their
exclusions lifted and be fully covered under MediShield Life.

03

How will MediShield Life benefit me?

MediShield Life will pay more of your hospital bills:
Higher claim limits for hospital bills and chemotherapy
No more lifetime claim limit
You will pay less.

MediShield Life

Better Protection. For All. For Life.

04

How much are my MediShield Life premiums?

Please refer to www.medishieldlife.sg/calculator to calculate your estimated
MediShield Life premiums after the applicable premium subsidies.
MediShield Life premiums will be affordable, and can be fully paid from
Medisave. Please refer to page 10 on MediShield Life premiums and subsidies
for more details.

05

What are the different MediShield Life premium

subsidies and who are eligible for them?
Government will provide significant support to Singaporeans to keep premiums
affordable:
Premium subsidies for the lower- to middle-income (covering up to twothirds of households)
Transitional subsidies for all Singapore Citizens
Special premium subsidies and Medisave top-ups for the Pioneer
Generation for life
Premium subsidies for lower- and middle-income households are applicable
to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents with monthly Per Capita
Household Income (PCHI) of up to $2,600 per month and living in residences
with an Annual Value of $21,000 or less. Refer to question 8 on how to
calculate PCHI.

06

How will the Government help those who cannot afford

their MediShield Life premiums?
For Singaporeans who are unable to pay their share of premiums even after
premium subsidies, the Government will provide additional premium support. No
Singaporean will drop out of MediShield Life due to inability to pay for premiums.

MediShield Life

Better Protection. For All. For Life.

07

Do I need to apply for MediShield Life?

You do not need to. All Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents will be
automatically covered under MediShield Life when it is implemented in end-2015.
CPF Board will inform you of the details nearer to the implementation date.

08

What is Per Capita Household Income?

Per Capita Household Income is the total amount of income earned by a family
staying under one roof, divided by the number of members of that family. So,
if the total income earned by family members is $10,000, and there are four
members in the family, then the Per Capita Household Income is $2,500.
Using Per Capita Household Income to calculate the need for subsidies will
ensure that those who need help most will receive adequate support. This is
because the amount they can spend on each family member will be lower if
there are more family members.

09

I already have an Integrated Shield Plan. How is

MediShield Life relevant to me?
Please refer to page 14 on Integrated Shield Plans (IP).

10

I am a pensioner retired from the civil service.

Can I opt out of MediShield Life?
All Singaporeans will be covered by MediShield Life.
If you are a pensioner, you will also be covered under MediShield Life.
[Pensioners on Comprehensive Co-payment scheme will get 2% additional
Medisave contribution. For those who are on older medical benefits schemes,
which already provide better coverage than what MediShield Life will be
providing, Government will pay for the premiums for this group so that these
pensioners will be no worse off and will benefit from MediShield Life coverage.
Public Service Division will be writing to pensioners with the details.]

MediShield Life

Better Protection. For All. For Life.

Examples of
MediShield Life Benefits

Example

01

Patient who had a heart attack

Hospitalised for 10 days in B2 Ward

Mr Tan
60 years old

Comparison of MediShield & MediShield Life Coverage

MediShield
Benefits (Now)
Bill after Government Subsidy
Maximum coverage based on
hospitalisation and surgical
claim limits
Deductible
Co-insurance
MediShield/MediShield Life Pays
Patient Pays (Medisave/Cash)

MediShield Life
Benefits (New)

$8,100
$6,050

$8,100

$2,000 for B2
$605
$3,445 (43%)
$4,655 (57%)

$455
$5,645 (70%)
$2,455 (30%)

With MediShield Life, patients pay less

MediShield Life

Better Protection. For All. For Life.

Example

02

Patient who had a stroke

Hospitalised for 10 days in B2 Ward and 4 days in ICU
for stroke due to brain haemorrhage

Mr Yee
48 years old

Comparison of MediShield & MediShield Life Coverage

MediShield
Benefits (Now)
Bill after Government Subsidy
Maximum coverage based on
hospitalisation and surgical
claim limits
Deductible
Co-insurance
MediShield/MediShield Life Pays
Patient Pays (Medisave/Cash)

With MediShield Life, patients pay less

6

MediShield Life

Better Protection. For All. For Life.

MediShield Life
Benefits (New)

$10,100
$8,100

$10,100

$2,000 for B2
$810
$5,290 (52%)
$4,810 (48%)

$550
$7,547 (75%)
$2,553 (25%)

Example

03

Patient who had cancer

Underwent 4 cycles of chemotherapy treatment for cancer

Mdm Kamla
63 years old

Comparison of MediShield & MediShield Life Coverage

MediShield
Benefits (Now)
Bill after Government Subsidy
Maximum coverage based on
hospitalisation and surgical
claim limits
Deductible
Co-payment
MediShield/MediShield Life Pays
Patient Pays (Medisave/Cash)

MediShield Life
Benefits (New)

$6,800
$4,960

$6,120

$0 for outpatient treatment

$1,840
$4,960 (73%)
$1,840 (27%)

$680
$6,120 (90%)
$680 (10%)

MediShield Life

Better Protection. For All. For Life.

MediShield Life Premiums

and Subsidies
Figure 1: Premium Subsidies for Lower- to Middle-Income (Non-Pioneer Generation)

Age Next Birthday

Subsidies1 as Percentage of Premiums (for Singapore Citizens)

Lower-Income2

Lower-Middle-Income3

Upper-Middle-Income4

25%

20%

15%

30%

25%

20%

35%

30%

25%

40%

35%

30%

45%

40%

35%

50%

45%

40%

1 20
21 30
31 40
41 50
51 60
61 65
66 70
71 73
74 75
76 78
79 80
81 83
84 85
86 88
89 90
>90

(a) These subsidy rates are applicable to Singapore Citizens who live in residences with an Annual Value of $13,000 or less. Those with an Annual Value between
$13,101 to $21,000 will receive 10 percentage points less than these subsidy rates. Those with an Annual Value of above $21,000 will not receive these subsidies;
(b) Permanent Residents receive half of the subsidy rates applicable to Singapore Citizens.
2
Lower-income refers to individuals with monthly per capita household income of $1,100 or less
3
Lower-middle-income refers to individuals with monthly per capita household income of $1,101 to $1,800
4
Upper-middle-income refers to individuals with monthly per capita household income of $1,801 to $2,600
1

Figure 2: Premium Subsidies for Pioneer Generation

Age in 2015

Pioneer Generation Subsidies1 as Percentage of Premiums

66 - 69

40%

70 79

45% 54%

80 89

55% 59%

90

60%

Pioneer Generation subsidies are applicable to all Pioneers, regardless of income level.
The subsidy rates are subject to change every year to ensure the commitment for Pioneers are met.
1

MediShield Life

Better Protection. For All. For Life.

Figure 3: Current MediShield and MediShield Life Premiums in 2015

Medi2015 MediShield Life Premiums after Subsidy1
Shield
Current
Life
Annual
Lower-MiddleUpper-MiddleLower-Income
High Income
Annual
Age Next
MediIncome
Income
Birthday
Shield Premiums
Premiums before
Annual Monthly Annual Monthly Annual Monthly Annual Monthly
Subsidy
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
1 20

50

130

60

61

62

66

21 30

66

195

82

84

86

92

31 40

105

310

131

11

134

11

137

11

146

12

41 50

220

435

237

20

241

20

246

20

263

22

51 60

345

630

364

30

371

31

377

31

402

34

61 65

455

755

462

39

470

39

477

40

515

43

66 70

540

815

530

44

546

46

554

46

595

50

71 73

560

885

563

47

572

48

581

48

625

52

74 75

646

975

634

53

653

54

663

55

712

59

76 78

775

1,130

678

57

735

61

778

65

846

71

79 80

865

1,175

705

59

764

64

823

69

927

77

81 83

1,123

1,250

750

63

813

68

875

73

1,148

96

84 85

1,150

1,430

858

72

930

77

1,001

83

1,206

101

86 88

1,190

1,500

825

69

900

75

975

81

1,252

104

89 90

1,190

1,500

825

69

900

75

975

81

1,252

104

>90

1,530

765

64

842

70

918

77

1,258

105

(a) Subsidies include premium subsidies for lower-to-middle income families and transitional subsidies for all Singapore Citizens. Premium subsidy rates in Figure 1
were used, and are applicable for those living in properties with an Annual Value of $13,000 or less. Those with an Annual Value of between $13,101 to $21,000
will receive 10 percentage points less than the subsidy rates in Figure 1. Those with an Annual Value of above $21,000 will not receive premium subsidies.
(b) Table applies to Singapore Citizens. For Permanent Residents, half of the relevant premium subsidy rates apply, but no transition subsidies apply.
1

* Premiums are subject to change depending on medical inflation and claims experience. Premiums are based on the indicative schedule of benefits and may be
further revised. The Central Provident Fund Board will inform all policyholders of their payable MediShield Life premium (after any applicable subsidies) in writing,
before premium deduction.

MediShield Life

Better Protection. For All. For Life.

Figure 4: Current MediShield and MediShield Life Premiums (Non-Pioneer Generation) in 2019
2019 MediShield Life Premiums after Subsidy1
MediShield
Current
Lower-MiddleUpper-MiddleLife
Lower-Income
High Income
Annual
Income
Income
Annual
Age
Medi- Premiums
Next
Shield
before
Birthday
Premiums Subsidy Annual Monthly Annual Monthly Annual Monthly Annual Monthly
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
in 2019
($)

1 20

50

130

98

104

111

130

11

21 30

66

195

146

12

156

13

166

14

195

16

31 40

105

310

233

19

248

21

264

22

310

26

41 50

220

435

305

25

326

27

348

29

435

36

51 60

345

630

441

37

473

39

504

42

630

53

61 65

455

755

491

41

529

44

566

47

755

63

66 70

540

815

530

44

571

48

611

51

815

68

71 73

560

885

575

48

620

52

664

55

885

74

74 75

646

975

634

53

683

57

731

61

975

81

76 78

775

1,130

678

57

735

61

791

66

1,130

94

79 80

865

1,175

705

59

764

64

823

69

1,175

98

81 83

1,123

1,250

750

63

813

68

875

73

1,250

104

84 85

1,150

1,430

858

72

930

77

1,001

83

1,430

119

86 88

1,190

1,500

825

69

900

75

975

81

1,500

125

89 90

1,190

1,500

825

69

900

75

975

81

1,500

125

>90

1,530

765

64

842

70

918

77

1,530

128

(a) Subsidies include premium subsidies for lower-to-middle income families. Premium subsidy rates in Figure 1 were used, and are applicable for those living in
properties with an Annual Value of $13,000 or less. Those with an Annual Value of between $13,101 to $21,000 will receive 10 percentage points less than the
subsidy rates in Figure 1. Those with an Annual Value of above $21,000 will not receive premium subsidies.
(b) Table applies to Singapore Citizens. For Permanent Residents, half of the relevant premium subsidy rates apply, but no transition subsidies apply.

* Premiums are subject to change depending on medical inflation and claims experience. Premiums are based on the indicative schedule of benefits and may be further
revised. The Central Provident Fund Board will inform all policyholders of their payable MediShield Life premium (after any applicable subsidies) in writing, before
premium deduction.

10

MediShield Life

Better Protection. For All. For Life.

Figure 5: MediShield Life Premiums in 2015 for Pioneer Generation Members1

MediShield Life Premiums2 ($)
Age

Current MediShield
Annual Premiums ($)

66 69

Annual Premiums
Before Subsidies

Annual Premiums
With Pioneer
Generation
Subsidies

Monthly Premiums
With Pioneer
Generation Subsidies

540

815

489

41

70 72

560

885

491

41

73 74

646

975

497

41

75 77

775

1,130

517

43

78 79

865

1,175

537

45

80 82

1,123

1,250

566

47

83 84

1,150

1,430

615

51

85 89

1,190

1,500

615

51

90

1,530

612

51

Premiums stated are for Pioneers age in 2015 and will change corresponding to his age. There will be additional premium of 30% if the Pioneer has pre-existing
conditions.
2
Figures shown have not included Pioneer Generation Medisave top-ups, which range from $200$800 depending on birth cohort and can further offset premiums.
With the top-ups, Pioneers aged 80 and above in 2014 will not incur any payables, while Pioneers aged 79 and below in 2014 will pay less than current premiums.
These assurances will also be valid in 2019.
1

* Premiums are subject to change depending on medical inflation and claims experience. Premiums are based on the indicative schedule of benefits and may be
further revised. The Central Provident Fund Board will inform all policyholders of their payable MediShield Life premium (after any applicable subsidies) in writing,
before premium deduction.

MediShield Life

Better Protection. For All. For Life.

11

Premium Impact on
Some Households

Lower-income nuclear family

Mr and Mrs Koh (mid 30s) have 2 children (primary school).
Mr Koh earns $2,000 a month.
He receives $180 a month in Medisave contributions.

Premiums
fully payable
by Medisave
inflows

Coverage

Total Premiums for Koh household

Current MediShield

$26/month

MediShield Life (2015)

$32/month with transitional subsidies

MediShield Life (2019)

$55/month

Middle-income nuclear family

Mr and Mrs Muthu (mid 30s) have 2 children.
Mr Muthu earns $5,000 a month as a project manager.
They receive $450 a month in Medisave contributions.

Premiums
fully payable
by Medisave
inflows

Mrs Muthu is a housewife.

12

Coverage

Total Premiums for Muthu household

Current MediShield

$26/month

MediShield Life (2015)

$33/month with transitional subsidies

MediShield Life (2019)

$59/month

MediShield Life

Better Protection. For All. For Life.

Premiums
fully payable
by Medisave
inflows

Middle-income extended family

Mr and Mrs Zakir (mid 30s) have 2 children and
care for 2 retired parents (early 60s).
Mr and Mrs Zakir earn $8,000 a month as project managers.
They receive $720 altogether each month in Medisave contributions.
Coverage

Total Premiums for Zakir household

Current MediShield

$102/month

MediShield Life (2015)

$111/month with transitional subsidies

MediShield Life (2019)

$147/month

Retired Pioneer Generation family

Mr and Mrs Ng (retirees, mid 70s) are part of the Pioneer Generation.
Premiums are supported by
Pioneer Generation Medisave Top-ups
Coverage

Total Premiums for Ng household

Current MediShield

$93/month

MediShield Life (2015)

$82/month

MediShield Life

Better Protection. For All. For Life.

13

Integrated Shield Plans

Integrated Shield Plan

All Integrated Shield Plan holders are covered by MediShield

Enhanced
Benefits
Provided by
Private Insurer

The top-up portion of an Integrated Shield Plan is

managed by a private insurer and offers enhanced
benefits e.g. additional coverage for Class A/B1 in
public hospitals, or in private hospitals.

MediShield
(MediShield
Life in Future)

The basic MediShield portion of an Integrated

Shield Plan is managed by the Central Provident
Fund Board and is targeted to help with large
hospitalisation expenses at the Class B2/C level in
public hospitals. This will become MediShield Life
in future.

Medisave can be used to pay for Integrated Shield Plan premiums.

5 private insurers are approved by MOH to sell Integrated Shield Plans.

A member of the OCBC Group

Not all insurance plans sold by these insurers are Integrated Shield Plans. Please check
with your insurer if you are unsure whether your insurance plan is an Integrated Shield Plan.

14

MediShield Life

Better Protection. For All. For Life.

How do MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans work together?

Paying Premiums:
Policyholder
Pays
Premium

Integrated
Shield
Plan
Insurer

One Single
Integrated
Shield
Plan
Premium
with TWO
Parts

Premium for
Enhanced
Benefits
provided by
Integrated
Shield Plan
Insurer
Premium for
MediShield
Benefits
provided
by CPFB

MediShield
Portion
Managed
by CPFB

Making Claims:
Submits
Claim

HOSPITAL

Claim Settled
by Insurer

Integrated
Shield
Plan
Insurer

Portion of Claim
Payable from
Enhanced
Benefits
(Integrated
Shield Plan
Insurer)
Portion of Claim
Payable from
MediShield
Benefits
provided by CPFB

MediShield
Portion
Provided
by CPFB to
Insurer

More resources on Integrated Shield Plans are available at www.moh.gov.sg/integratedplans

MediShield Life

Better Protection. For All. For Life.

15

Frequently Asked Questions

01

I already have an Integrated Shield Plan. How will MediShield Life

benefit me?
If you are currently covered under an Integrated Shield Plan, you enjoy the combined benefits
of MediShield, which is run by the Central Provident Fund board, and the enhanced benefits
of the top-up portion, which is run by your private insurer. When implemented, MediShield
Life will automatically replace the current MediShield portion in your Integrated Shield Plan.
Hence, you need not worry about duplicate coverage between MediShield Life and your
Integrated Shield Plan.
As MediShield Life will cover all pre-existing conditions, all Integrated Shield Plan policyholders
will also enjoy MediShield Life coverage for life, for any pre-existing conditions. This will
apply even if your pre-existing condition is excluded from the top-up coverage by your private
insurer. You will have peace of mind that you will continue to remain covered at the basic
level, even if you have exclusions on your Integrated Shield Plan cover or you have to drop
your Integrated Shield Plan cover.

02

Will I still be eligible for the premium subsidies?

Yes, for as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. Premium subsidies are provided to help the
lower- to middle-income households with their MediShield Life premiums. Pioneer Generation
subsidies are applicable for the rest of the Pioneers life.

03

Do I still need an Integrated Shield Plan?

MediShield Life will provide coverage for all Singaporeans with large hospitalisation expenses,
regardless of which class ward they choose. The level of benefits is based on expenses in B2/C
class wards in public hospitals. You will get the same level of benefits, pegged to the estimated
B2/C class expenses, if you choose to stay in a B1/A class ward or in private hospitals.
You can sign up for an Integrated Shield Plan if you want additional coverage of bills in these
higher class wards or in private hospitals. However, premiums will be higher. Carefully
consider your preferred ward class and premiums over the lifetime, and plan your insurance
coverage accordingly.

16

MediShield Life

Better Protection. For All. For Life.

For more information, visit www.medishieldlife.sg.

July 2014 | All information in this booklet is correct at the time of printing.