Singapore boasts a robust healthcare system that ensures no citizen falls behind. At the heart of this system is MediShield Life, a mandatory scheme that provides a baseline of security for all. However, as medical costs rise and personal preferences for hospital wards or specific doctors evolve, many of us find ourselves asking, “Is the basic coverage enough?”
At Raffles Health Insurance, we understand that navigating insurance jargon can be overwhelming. To help you make an informed decision for your future, we have broken down the fundamental differences between these two layers of protection and how we work to bridge the gap in your coverage.
The Foundation: MediShield Life
MediShield Life is the national health insurance scheme administered by the CPF Board. It is designed to cover large hospital bills and selected costly outpatient treatments, such as dialysis and chemotherapy.
The primary characteristic of MediShield Life is its inclusivity; it covers all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, including those with pre-existing conditions. The coverage is sized for stays in Class B2 or C wards in public hospitals. While this provides a vital safety net, those of us who prefer higher-tier wards (Class B1 or A) or private hospitals will find that MediShield Life only covers a small fraction of the total bill, leaving us with significant out-of-pocket expenses.
The Enhancement: Integrated Shield Plans (IPs)
An Integrated Shield Plan is a “top-up” provided by private insurers like us. It consists of two components: the MediShield Life portion and an additional private insurance coverage component.
When you opt for Raffles Health Insurance IPs, we provide you with the ability to seek treatment in private hospitals or Class A/B1 wards in public hospitals with significantly higher claim limits. This gives you the freedom to choose your preferred specialist and enjoy a higher level of comfort during recovery without the looming stress of a massive financial deficit.
Key Differences at a Glance
1. Choice of Healthcare Provider
MediShield Life is optimized for public hospital subsidized wards. If you choose a private hospital, the payouts are pegged to the costs of a public hospital B2/C ward. Conversely, our Integrated Shield Plans allow you to access private medical facilities and specific specialists while we ensure the majority of the bill is taken care of.
2. Benefit Limits
While MediShield Life has a yearly claim limit of $150,000, RHI’s Integrated Shield Plans often offer much higher annual limits, sometimes exceeding $1 million. This is particularly crucial for prolonged illnesses or complex surgeries where costs can escalate quickly.
3. Premium Payments
Premiums for MediShield Life are fully payable via MediSave. For an Integrated Plan (IP), the MediShield Life component is covered by MediSave, but the “additional private insurance” component has a limit on MediSave withdrawals. Any excess premium must be paid in cash—though we strive to keep our plans more affordable for every Singaporean.
Why Raffles Health Insurance?
Deciding between staying with basic coverage or upgrading to an IP depends on your financial situation and your expectations for medical care. If you value shorter waiting times and the ability to choose your doctor, RHI plans are designed to give you that peace of mind.
The Raffles Medical Group (RMG) network supports us as a leading healthcare insurance specialist at Raffles Health Insurance. We operate as a fully integrated healthcare organization, meaning we don’t just provide the insurance; we also own the family medicine clinics and the tertiary care private hospital, Raffles Hospital. This allows us to provide fully coordinated healthcare for our policy owners.
A key feature that differentiates us is Raffles Shield A+RH option plan, which includes the exclusive “Raffles Care Management Programme.” Through this initiative, our policyholders can retain their Integrated Shield Plan coverage even for chronic conditions such as Diabetes, Hypertension, and High Cholesterol.* Furthermore, the program partners you directly with our medical doctors to actively manage and monitor your health, ensuring you have professional support every step of the way.
We believe in being your preferred healthcare partner, specializing in providing financing solutions that cater specifically to your needs. By choosing us, you benefit from a streamlined experience where your recovery is our priority. Get in touch with RHI today.
*Applicable only to Diabetes, Hypertension and High Cholesterol. Subject to underwriting and/or loading, it may apply accordingly.
