HI MediShield Life 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'co-insurance' under MediShield Life?
- Having two insurance policies
- The percentage of the claim amount (after deductible) that the policyholder must pay, with MediShield Life covering the remainder (Correct answer)
- Insurance shared between two people
- A type of reinsurance
Correct answer: The percentage of the claim amount (after deductible) that the policyholder must pay, with MediShield Life covering the remainder
After the deductible is met, co-insurance applies: the patient pays a percentage (typically 3-10% depending on the bill size and ward class) and MediShield Life covers the rest.
Question 2: What types of treatments are covered under MediShield Life?
- Only surgical procedures
- Hospitalisation, day surgery, selected costly outpatient treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, dialysis), and some outpatient treatments at approved institutions (Correct answer)
- Only emergency treatments
- Only inpatient care
Correct answer: Hospitalisation, day surgery, selected costly outpatient treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, dialysis), and some outpatient treatments at approved institutions
MediShield Life covers inpatient hospitalisation, day surgery, and selected expensive outpatient treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, renal dialysis, and some approved outpatient procedures.
Question 3: How does MediShield Life handle claims for stays in higher-class wards?
- Full coverage regardless of ward class
- Claims are pro-rated if the patient chooses a ward class higher than B2/C, meaning the patient pays more out of pocket (Correct answer)
- Higher ward stays are not covered at all
- Only A-class wards are covered
Correct answer: Claims are pro-rated if the patient chooses a ward class higher than B2/C, meaning the patient pays more out of pocket
MediShield Life is designed for B2/C ward (subsidised) stays. If a patient chooses a higher ward class (B1, A, or private), claims are adjusted downward (pro-rated) to the B2/C equivalent.
Question 4: What is the MediShield Life claim procedure in Singapore?
- Patients must submit claims manually to CPF
- Claims are typically processed directly between the hospital and CPF Board, with automatic deduction from Medisave (Correct answer)
- Only insurance agents can submit claims
- Claims must be submitted within 24 hours
Correct answer: Claims are typically processed directly between the hospital and CPF Board, with automatic deduction from Medisave
Most MediShield Life claims are processed seamlessly — hospitals submit claims directly to the CPF Board, and eligible amounts are deducted automatically from the patient's Medisave account.
Question 5: What government assistance is available for Singaporeans who cannot afford MediShield Life premiums?
- No assistance is available
- Premium subsidies, Medisave top-ups through government schemes (like GST Voucher), and Medifund for the very needy (Correct answer)
- Only interest-free loans
- Only for citizens over 65
Correct answer: Premium subsidies, Medisave top-ups through government schemes (like GST Voucher), and Medifund for the very needy
The government provides tiered premium subsidies (up to 50% for lowest-income groups), Pioneer/Merdeka Generation benefits, Medisave top-ups through various schemes, and Medifund as a safety net for the very needy.
Question 6: What is the difference between Medisave, MediShield Life, and Medifund?
- They are all the same scheme
- Medisave is personal healthcare savings; MediShield Life is basic health insurance; Medifund is a government safety net for those who cannot afford bills even after Medisave and MediShield Life (Correct answer)
- Only Medifund provides insurance
- Medisave is for dental care only
Correct answer: Medisave is personal healthcare savings; MediShield Life is basic health insurance; Medifund is a government safety net for those who cannot afford bills even after Medisave and MediShield Life
Singapore's healthcare financing has three layers (3Ms): Medisave (personal savings in CPF), MediShield Life (basic insurance), and Medifund (government endowment fund for the needy who exhaust other options).
HI MediShield Life 2
What is 'co-insurance' under MediShield Life?