Written Answer to PQ on Unpaid medical bills incurred by Work Permit and S Pass Holders

NOTICE PAPER NO. 229 OF 2025 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 5 NOVEMBER 2025
QUESTION NO. 819 FOR ORAL ANSWER

MP: Dr Hamid Razak

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) for each of the past three years, what are the total amount and number of cases of unpaid medical bills incurred by Work Permit and S Pass holders in public healthcare institutions; and (b) what further measures are in place to ensure timely payment and financial responsibility among employers and insurers.

Answer:

1. Between 2022 and 2024, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) handled an annual average of 19 substantiated cases of unpaid medical bills incurred by Work Permit and S Pass holders. The average unpaid medical bills across the same period was about $12,000. For such cases, we will typically remind employers of their obligations to bear the full cost of their workers’ medical treatment. Most employers pay up after the reminder, and enforcement actions will be taken against those who fail to do so.

2. MOM regularly reviews the mandatory medical insurance (MI) coverage to protect employers from large hospital bills. Since 1 July 2023, the minimum annual MI coverage per worker was increased from $15,000 to $60,000, which will cover approximately 99% of inpatient and day surgery bills incurred by Work Permit and S Pass holders. Employers are also encouraged to assess their needs and consider purchasing additional coverage beyond the minimum MI coverage, to safeguard against higher medical expenses.

3. For insurance policies starting from 1 July 2025, insurers are required to make direct payments to the hospitals upon the admissibility of the medical claims. This is to remove the need for employers to make upfront payment and seek reimbursement from insurers thereafter.