Janil Puthucheary on ensuring fair practice from insurers for health conditions

All Singaporeans are eligible for healthcare subsidies of up to 80 per cent in public healthcare institutions. All Singaporeans and permanent residents are also covered under MediShield Life, regardless of pre-existing conditions, including mental health conditions. MediShield Life is sized to cover nine in 10 bills in the subsidised wards of public healthcare institutions. Individuals can also buy private Integrated Shield plans and other insurance plans. In making underwriting decisions, insurers are fully expected by the Ministry of Health and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to deal fairly with their customers. For example, insurers should not indiscriminately reject an application solely on the basis of declared personal information, such as occupation, income, disability or medical conditions, including mental health conditions. MAS will take action against insurers who breach its regulations or guidance. Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary said this in reply to MPs’ questions in Parliament on Tuesday (Sep 19).