What are the guidelines and changes 

1.  What are the guidelines from Ministry of Health (MOH) for insurers on the new Integrated Shield Plan (IP) riders?

New MOH guidelines on IP riders were announced on 7 March 2018 and effective from 8 March 2018.

With reference to the MOH guidelines, all new IP riders offered from 1 April 2019 will be required to incorporate the following features:

• Co-payment : New IP riders must incorporate a co-payment of 5% or more
• Co-payment cap: New IP riders will have a cap on the co-payment amount each year for treatments that are pre-authorised or provided by the insurer’s panel providers*

*For Great Eastern, panel providers are all Singapore Restructured Hospitals plus selected doctors in private hospitals. Please refer to Great Eastern Health Connect for more details.
 

2. Why are these new MOH guidelines being introduced?

Medical healthcare costs have been escalating significantly in Singapore. These guidelines are in line with a recommendation made by the Health Insurance Task Force (HITF) to ensure that healthcare and health insurance remain available and affordable in Singapore.

HITF was formed in February 2016 to ensure Singapore residents have access to affordable quality healthcare as a common objective. The task force comprises members from the medical community, insurance industry, consumer associations and is supported by Ministry of Health (MOH) and Monetary Association of Singapore (MAS).

3. When will the new IP riders be launched?

We are in the process of developing new IP riders with co-payment features; they will be launched no later than 1 April 2019. These new IP riders will not provide first dollar hospitalisation cover.

If I am an Existing Total Health and/or Total Health Plus customer:

1. How will these new MOH guidelines apply to me?

There will be no immediate change and you will continue to enjoy the benefits under your current plan. We will closely review, assess the need to make benefit changes and will inform you in due time.

2. Is there any action needed on my part?

No action is required as there is no immediate change.

For more information, you may:

• Visit Great Eastern’s website at www.greateasternlife.com/healthplan, or
• Call Customer Service at 1800 248 2888, or
• Contact your Great Eastern distribution representative

You can use Great Eastern Health Connect, our complimentary call-in service exclusively for our Supreme Health customers.

Features of Health Connect:

• Specialist Appointment – We help you schedule for an appointment with your preferred doctor from a selected panel of specialists across 20 different medical specialties
  
  
• Pre-authorisation – We assess and pre-authorise your medical expenses before hospital admission, to give you added assurance on your coverage
  
  
• Direct Claim Settlement – Enjoy hassle-free discharge as we settle your claim directly with the hospital

If you change your Total Health plan type to one with reduced benefits, the new MOH guidelines will not apply. 

If I am a New Total Health and/or Total Health Plus customer who purchase the plans on or after 8 March 2018:

1. How will these new MOH guidelines apply to me?

You will continue to enjoy the benefits under the current plan (i.e. without co-payment features). However, at your policy renewal from 1 April 2021, your policy benefits will be revised to incorporate the new co-payment features.