Frequently Asked Questions

IncomeShield

MediShield Life and Enhanced IncomeShield

  • Q:What is MediShield Life?

    A:

    MediShield Life is a compulsory national health insurance for all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents providing better protection than MediShield.
    MediShield Life offers:

    • 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

  • Q:What is an Integrated Shield Plan (IP)?

    A:

    An Integrated Shield Plan (IP) consists of two parts – the MediShield Life portion which is managed by the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board and an additional private insurance coverage portion offered by a private insurer.

    The MediShield Life portion is designed for Class B2/C wards stays in public hospitals. The additional insurance coverage offered by the private insurer will increase your level of protection beyond medical care provided at Class B2/C wards in public hospitals.

    Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield are IPs offered by Income.

  • Q:I feel that MediShield Life gives me sufficient coverage. Should I keep my Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield cover?

    A:

    The MediShield Life portion is designed to cover treatment in Class B2/C wards in public hospitals and pays only up to MediShield Life benefit limits, when you stay in higher class wards in public hospitals or private hospitals. With lower or no government subsidies, treatments at higher class wards in public hospitals or private hospitals are more expensive.

    Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield helps to provide Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who wish to stay in higher ward classes with additional coverage so that policyholders can be more adequately protected.

    Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield also covers you for certain benefits that are not included under MediShield Life. This includes coverage for pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses, emergency overseas treatment, and the option to purchase riders to cover deductibles and co-insurance. With these benefits, Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield takes care of your hospital and surgical expenses and provides you with peace of mind while you recuperate. With higher benefits, Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield premiums are also higher than MediShield Life premiums.

    We encourage you to decide on a plan that meets your needs, taking into consideration your preferred ward class and level of benefits, and affordability of premiums over the long-term.

  • Q:Is there duplicate coverage between MediShield Life and Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield and do I have to pay double premiums?

    A:

    There is no duplicate coverage between MediShield Life and Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield.

    Policyholders covered under Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield will enjoy the combined benefits of MediShield Life which provides hospitalisation coverage targeted at Class B2/C wards and the additional private insurance coverage targeted at higher class wards in public or even private hospitals depending on your plan.

    Your Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield premium is made up of the MediShield Life premium and an additional private insurance coverage premium. Hence, you are not paying double premiums.

  • Q:Are Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield policyholders eligible for premium subsidies?

    A:

    Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield policyholders will receive the applicable MediShield Life subsidies for the MediShield Life portion.

    The MediShield Life subsidies are:

    • Premium Subsidies for the lower- to middle-income
    • Pioneer Generation Subsidies for the Pioneer Generation
    • Transitional Subsidies to ease the shift to MediShield Life (for Singapore Citizens only)

  • Q:With MediShield Life now providing universal coverage, would my Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield also cover my pre-existing conditions?

    A:

    MediShield Life is able to cover pre-existing conditions because the cost of providing such coverage is shared among those with pre-existing conditions, the community and the government, which bears the bulk of the costs (about 75%). 

    Unlike MediShield Life, private insurers are unable to provide cover for pre-existing conditions.  Hence, these pre-existing conditions will continue to be excluded from the additional private insurance coverage portion under your Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield.

  • Q:Are Riders (Plus, Assist, Daily Cash and Child Illness Rider) part of Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield policy? How are Riders relevant to MediShield Life?

    A:

    Riders are not part of Integrated Shield plans (IPs), as they are not approved by Ministry of Health (MOH) for Medisave use.

    Riders are complementary products introduced by private insurers to cover the co-insurance and deductible portions of your bill when you make a claim under your Integrated Shield Plan (IP). Some riders also provide additional benefits e.g. cash benefits when you are hospitalised.

    As Riders are not Medisave-approved plans, policyholders will need to pay for them separately by cash.

  • Q:How do the changes to the Medisave withdrawal limit affect me?

    A:

    With the launch of MediShield Life, there will be two parts to Medisave’s use for IP premiums.

    • The first part is for MediShield Life premiums which can be fully payable by Medisave.
    • The second part is called the Additional Withdrawal Limit (AWLs), which is the maximum Medisave limit that you can use for your Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield’s additional private insurance coverage premiums.
    • If your additional private insurance coverage premium costs more than the AWL, you will have to pay the balance in cash. You can refer to the Cash Outlay indicated in your payment notice letter. With the new AWLs, Singaporeans will be able to use the same amount or more of their Medisave to pay the additional private insurance coverage component of their IP premiums than before. This is provided that there is no change in plans or age bands.
Product Coverage

  • Q:What is Deductible and Co-insurance?

    A:

    Deductible is the amount that you will need to pay first before any claim is payable. Co-insurance is the amount that you need to co-insure after the Deductible is met.

  • Q:If I develop a medical condition a few years after my insurance has started, will my insurance coverage be affected?

    A:

    No, Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield is guaranteed renewable for a lifetime. This means that after you have been accepted, any change to your health status does not affect your current insurance coverage.

Upgrading to Enhanced IncomeShield

  • Q:How do I upgrade my plan?

    A:

    For existing IncomeShield policyholders, you can choose to upgrade your plan to enjoy better benefits. You will need to meet the entry requirements (e.g. maximum entry age) of the plan you wish to upgrade to. Any upgrade of plans will require underwriting.

  • Q:I upgraded to a higher plan with exclusion of certain medical conditions. Will I lose the cover for these medical conditions that were previously covered?

    A:

    No, you will continue to enjoy cover up to the benefit limits of your previous plan for these medical conditions. For your upgraded plan, you will be covered for any other medical conditions that you are not excluded from.

  • Q:Do I need to wait till my renewal for the upgrade to be effective?

    A:

    No, upon approval of your upgrade application, we will issue you a new policy contract. The change will take effect on the start date indicated on your policy contract. To upgrade to Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield, you need to be 75 years old and below (age next birthday).

  • Q:What will happen to my existing cover if I request for an upgrade of plan?

    A:

    Upon a request to upgrade your plan, the current policy will be terminated and a new set of policy document will be issued to you. Any unused premiums from the terminated policy will be refunded to you through your respective mode of payment.

  • Q:Why is the same policy number used for my upgraded plan?

    A:

    We are using the same policy number for your new plan as it is essentially a conversion or upgrade of plan. This will make it easier for you to remember your policy number.

  • Q:I have upgraded my plan recently. Can I upgrade again to a higher plan?

    A:

    If you wish to upgrade to a higher plan after your first upgrade, you can do so after 40 days from the start date of your upgraded plan.

  • Q:I have already upgraded to a higher plan but have yet to receive my pro-rated refund for the previous plan. Why is this so?

    A:

    The refund of your pro-rated premium for your previous plan can only be processed after CPF Board confirms on the activation of your upgraded plan. Furthermore, refunds are processed in batches. Therefore, your refund for your previous plan and your premium deduction for your upgraded plan may not coincide.

  • Q:I submitted my upgrade form together with my whole family. Why am I the only one to receive the Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield policy contract?

    A:

    Each insured person is issued an individual insurance policy. Therefore, each upgrade is processed independently and may result in a time difference when receiving your policy contracts.

  • Q:I submitted an application to upgrade my plan. Can I change my mind to upgrade my plan later?

    A:

    Yes, you can. However, you should note that re-application will be subject to Income’s underwriting and acceptance.

Applyinng For IncomeShield Riders

  • Q:Can I, as the insured person, purchase two or more Riders for myself?

    A:

    You are only able to purchase either Plus or Assist Rider and only one Daily Cash Rider and one Child Illness Rider.

    For example, you can purchase three Riders (Plus Rider, Daily Cash Rider and Child Illness Rider).
    However, you cannot purchase two Daily Cash Riders under one insured person.

  • Q:If I have an Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield policy, how do I apply for a new Rider?

    A:

    Please call our hotline at 6788 3113 or visit any of our branches to find out more.

    • If you are upgrading or adding Riders to Enhanced IncomeShield plans (Enhanced Preferred/Advantage/Basic/Enhanced C).
    • If you are adding Riders to IncomeShield plans (Plan P/Plan A/Plan B/Plan C).

    If the start date of the new Rider is not aligned with the Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield policy renewal date, a pro-rated premium will be charged for the new Rider. Upon the renewal of the Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield policy, the Rider renewal dates will be aligned with that of the Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield policy.

  • Q:Are the exclusions under the Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield main plan applicable for the Riders?

    A:

    All the exclusions under the Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield plan will apply to the Riders. Additional exclusions under the Riders will be specified under the Rider contract.

Assist Rider

  • Q:How can I keep my hospital bill to a minimum?

    A:

    With the Assist Rider, you will only need to pay 10% of the claimable amount if you are admitted to your entitled ward or lower. The amount that you need to co-pay will not be more than the amount stated in the table below.

    Maximum co-payment per policy year

    Preferred/Plan PAdvantage/Plan ABasic/Plan BEnhanced C/Plan C
    $3,000$2,500$2,000$1,500

    You can use your Medisave (subject to the maximum limit set by the government) to cover this co-payment.

  • Q:If I am currently covered under the Enhanced IncomeShield and Assist Rider, are there any cash benefits if the ward I am admitted to is lower than my entitled ward?

    A:

    You will enjoy a hospital cash benefit, if the ward you are admitted to is lower than your entitled ward.

    Enhanced IncomeShield PlanAdmitted WardHospital cash benefit (each day)
    PreferredRestructured Hospital Ward B1/B2/C$150
    PreferredRestructured Hospital Ward A$125
    AdvantageRestructured Hospital Ward B1/B2/C$100
    BasicRestructured Hospital Ward B2/C$75

     This hospital cash benefit will apply to the Enhanced IncomeShield plan only.

Daily Cash Rider

  • Q:If I am on Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage plan, which Daily Cash Rider can I apply for?

    A:

    The Daily Cash Rider that you are eligible to apply for depends on the Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield plan you are insured under. If you are on Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage plan, the daily cash benefit and get-well benefit under your Daily Cash Rider will be $100 and $250 respectively.

    Benefit TypePreferred/Plan PAdvantage/Plan ABasic/Enhanced C Plan B/Plan C
    Daily cash benefit(each day)$150$100$50
    Get-well benefit$300$250$100

  • Q:Under Enhanced IncomeShield, the Plus and Assist Rider provides hospital cash benefit if the ward I am admitted to is lower than my entitled ward. Why is there a need to purchase the Daily Cash Rider?

    A:

    The daily cash benefit is paid based on the number of days of hospitalisation, regardless of your ward type. This benefit may be used to minimise the co-payment under the Assist Rider.

  • Q:Will benefits be payable for Day Surgery in a clinic?

    A:

    For Day Surgery, the Daily Cash benefit will be paid only if the surgery is done in a Restructured or Private Hospital in Singapore, with at least one day Room and Board charged.

  • Q:How long must I be hospitalised before I can claim for the get-well benefit?

    A:

    You must be hospitalised for at least 48 hours in order to claim for the get-well benefit. You must also survive the hospitalisation.

  • Q:What is the waiting period under the Daily Cash Rider?

    A:

    The waiting period is 30 days from the start Date of the Daily Cash Rider.

  • Q:Can I claim under the Daily Cash Rider if I am hospitalised overseas?

    A:

    You can claim under the Daily Cash Rider for hospitalisation in Singapore only.

  • Q:What are the benefits currently covered under IncomeShield but are excluded under the Daily Cash Rider?

    A:
    • Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment
    • Pregnancy Complication
    • Congenital Abnormalities
    • Emergency Overseas Treatment

  • Q:I am warded in two different hospitals for a day, how much will be payable to me under the Daily Cash benefit for that day?

    A:

    The Daily Cash Rider will only pay for one day under the Daily Cash benefit.

  • Q:If I am hospitalised for two separate periods of 200 days each for the same illness/accident, would the maximum benefit limit of 365 days for the Daily Cash Rider apply?

    A:

    If you have been discharged from the hospital for a continuous period of more than 90 days, any subsequent hospitalisation for the same accident or illness from the same confirmed diagnosis will be treated as arising from a separate or different accident or illness.

    Scenario A: Your 1st hospitalisation is 200 days. After you get discharged, more than 90 days has passed before your 2nd hospitalisation of 200 days. The benefit payable will be 400 (200+200) days.

    Scenario B: Your 1st hospitalisation is 200 days. After you get discharged, 90 days or shorter has passed before your 2nd hospitalisation of 200 days. The benefit payable will be 365 days.

Child Illness Rider

  • Q:What is the waiting period under the Child Illness Rider?

    A:

    There is a 60 days waiting period from the start date of the Child Illness Rider, on the first diagnosis of the Child Illnesses covered (except for Leukaemia). For Leukaemia, the waiting period is 90 days from the start date of the Child Illness Rider.

Others

  • Q:I am currently under an Integrated Shield Plan with Income. What will happen to my MediShield Life cover if my EnhancedIncomeShield/IncomeShield plan is terminated?

    A:

    If you are a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident, even though you have terminated your Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield plan, you will contine to be covered under MediShield Life.

    We would like to highlight that by terminating your Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield plan, you will need to re-apply if you wish to be covered in the future. The acceptance of your new application will be subject to Income’s underwriting and acceptance. Before you terminate the cover, we hope that you will reconsider your decision as it is important for you to have catastrophic medical insurance coverage to help defray part of the large medical bills in the event of a serious illness or prolonged hospitalisation.

  • Q:If I have terminated my Enhanced IncomeShield/IncomeShield plan earlier and decide to sign up again, will I be entitled to the same coverage regardless of the health conditions developed after the termination?

    A:

    Your re-application for Enhanced IncomeShield will be subject to Income’s underwriting and acceptance. Depending on the underwriting assessment, your application may be:

    • Accepted at standard terms
    • Accepted with exclusions on any pre-existing medical conditions
    • Postpone or Decline