Additional Medishield Life premiums await residents with serious pre-existing illnesses

About 25,000 people will need to pay 30% additional premiums.

Medishield Life, which will be implemented starting November this year, will cover all Singapore Citizens (SCs) and Permanent Residents (PRs) for life, including those with pre-existing conditions that are not covered under the current MediShield, the Ministry of Health said today.

However, roughly 25,000 individuals with serious pre-existing conditions will need to pay 30% additional premiums for 10 years under Medishield Life. After the 10-year period, they will pay the same standard premiums as the rest in their age group, regardless of their health condition in future.

The serious conditions include sickenesses that require intensive medical intervention to treat or manage; or have high risk of future complications or recurrence and therefore may require prolonged treatment.

Medical conditions that develop after the start of the individual’s MediShield (or IP) cover are not considered to be pre-existing conditions and will not be subject to Additional Premiums.

The CPF Board will write to inform individuals of their need to pay Additional Premiums from today until late October.