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Health Insurance in Singapore: What Every Expat Needs to Know About Employer Coverage
1. Before You Sign the Contract: Ask the Right Questions
For many expatriates relocating to Singapore, health insurance is bundled into the job offer — but few take the time to understand what’s really included. A 2024 survey by Interexpat revealed that 79% of employer-provided medical plans for expats in Singapore fail to provide adequate protection for major medical expenses. In a city known for both high quality healthcare and high living costs, this can pose a serious financial risk.
Before accepting any offer, it’s essential to ask:
- What exactly does the health plan cover?
- Is it a local or international policy?
- Are family members included?
- What are the annual coverage limits?
2. Understanding the Hidden Limitations
Even when employer coverage exists, it often comes with critical limitations:
- Coverage caps that may not match Singapore’s private healthcare costs.
- Pre-existing condition exclusions.
- Limited or no support for dental, optical, maternity, or mental health services.
- Coverage ends immediately when you leave your job or relocate.
In many cases, you may be able to:
- Negotiate a cash allowance in lieu of the default plan.
- Ask your HR department or company’s broker about optional enhancements or family coverage.
- Contact the insurance broker directly (usually listed in HR documents) by email or phone to explore add-ons or better options.
3. Why Individual Coverage Still Matters — Even with a Job
One of the least recognised risks is what happens if you fall ill under your employer’s plan — and then leave the company. Once a condition is diagnosed, getting private insurance later can be:
- Difficult (you may be declined),
- Expensive (due to loadings),
- or incomplete (due to exclusions).
This is why individual coverage, separate from your job, remains the only way to secure long-term insurability — particularly for families with children.
SOURCE: Interexpat
