Introduction of Employer-Financed Medical Insurance Requirement for Foreign Workers

The Ministry of Manpower will require employers to purchase and maintain insurance for the medical expenses of foreign workers from 1 January 2008. This requirement is being implemented in tandem with the withdrawal of healthcare subsidies for foreigners , which was previously announced by the Ministry of Health. The requirement will apply to:

 

• All new and existing foreign workers on Work Permit or S Pass from 1 January 2008.
• All new foreign domestic workers, and existing foreign domestic workers when employers renew their Work Permits, from 1 January 2008.

Medical Insurance Requirement

2.   The coverage must be at least $5,000 a year for each worker's inpatient care and day surgery during his/her stay in Singapore. The coverage amount is set at a basic level, and will be sufficient to cover nine out of every ten hospital bills for foreign workers, based on statistics from the Ministry of Health.

3.   The requirement to purchase and maintain medical insurance will be included as a condition of a Work Permit or S Pass. This is in line with the employers' existing responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of their foreign workers, including the provision of medical treatment.

Medical Insurance Plans

4.   To help employers meet the medical insurance requirement, MOM has worked with insurers to make available suitable plans. Employers may consider purchasing insurance plans from NTUC Income Insurance Co-Operative Ltd, Great Eastern Life Assurance Co Ltd, or Overseas Assurance Corporation Ltd (as indicated below). These insurers have responded to MOM's Request for Proposal exercise with competitive plans. Employers may also choose other plans offered by any insurer, so long as it meets the coverage criteria.

Available plans for foreign workers:

• Medical Insurance Scheme for Foreign Workers, by NTUC Income Insurance Co-operative Ltd (from as low as $58 per 12-month policy period)
• Foreign Workers Group Hospital and Surgical Plan, by Great Eastern Life Assurance Co Ltd (from as low as $80 per 12-month policy period)

Available plans for foreign domestic workers:

• Medical Insurance Scheme for Foreign Domestic Workers, by NTUC Income Insurance Co- operative Ltd (from as low as $120 per 26-month policy period)*
• OAC Maid Supreme, by Overseas Assurance Corporation Ltd (from as low as $110 per 26-month policy period)

5.   Further details on the medical insurance requirement will be sent to employers of foreign workers and foreign domestic workers. More information is also available on the Ministry's website or call call MOM Contact Centre at (65) 6438 5122.

(* Note: See Annex A for details. These are indicative prices, and direct comparisons are not meaningful because of different product features. Employers can contact the insurers for a detailed quotation.)

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¹ Hospital subsidies for foreigners (including foreign workers) will be withdrawn with effect from 1 January 2008

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Annex A

 

AVAILABLE INSURANCE PLANS FOR EMPLOYERS OF FOREIGN DOMESTIC WORKERS

(MOM's requirements are in Bold Italics - employers are free to decide on the other parameters, which could lower premium costs)

 

A.                  Medical Insurance Scheme for Foreign Domestic Workers

Name of Insurance Company	:	NTUC Income Insurance Co-Operative Ltd
Premium Rates	:	From $120 (inclusive of GST), per 26-month policy period
Maximum Limit	:	$5,000 per year
Co-insurance/ Deductible	:	Nil
Benefits	: : :	Inpatient Care Day Surgery 90 Days Pre- and 90 Days Post-Hospitalisation Diagnostic Services and Treatment
Available Riders	: : : :	Specialist Outpatient Care Increase in Benefit Limit, up to an additional $5000 Funeral Expense of up to $3,000 Critical Illness of up to $10,000 per policy year
Useful Information Product Hotline Email Website	: : :	(65) 6332 1133 (available 24 hours, 7 days a week) gh@income.com.sg www.income.com.sg
Note: 1.      The premium rates provided above are for general information and are non-guaranteed. 2.      The above are subject to other terms and conditions as may be specified by NTUC Income Insurance Co-Operative Ltd. 3.      For any enquiries or quotation, please contact NTUC Income Insurance Co-Operative Ltd.

 

B.                  OAC Maid Supreme 

Name of Insurance Company	:	Overseas Assurance Corporation Ltd
Premium Rates	:	$110 (inclusive of GST), per 26-month policy period
Maximum Limit	:	$5,000 per year
Co-insurance/ Deductible		Nil
Benefits	: : : :	Inpatient Care Day Surgery Surgery 90 Days Pre- and 90 Days Post-Hospitalisation Diagnostic Services and Treatment
Useful Information Hotline Fax Email Website	: : : :	(65) 6248 2608 (Mon-Fri, 9am – 5pm) (65) 6327 3012 general@oac.com.sg www.lifeisgreat.com.sg
Note : 1.      The premium rates provided above are indicative and for general information.  They are non-guaranteed. 2.      The above are subject to other terms and conditions as may be specified by Overseas Assurance Corporation Ltd.  3.      Other plans are available.  For any enquiries or quotation, please contact Overseas Assurance Corporation Ltd.