Do I need a private Integrated Shield Plan (IP)?
All Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are covered under MediShield Life no matter how long you live, regardless of age or health condition. MediShield Life helps to pay for large hospital bills and selected costly outpatient treatments such as dialysis and chemotherapy for cancer. It is sized for subsidised treatment in B2/C wards of the public hospitals.
You do not need an Integrated Shield Plan (IP) if you plan to stay in B2/C wards in public hospitals which are heavily subsidised. In fact, majority of Singaporeans, even those who had bought IP, chose to stay in B2/C wards. In particular, eight in 10 seniors choose B2/C wards when they are hospitalised.
If you buy an IP but choose to stay in B2/C wards in public hospitals, you might want to reconsider whether you should pay for additional private insurance.
However, if you are firm in choosing B1/A wards in public hospitals or seeking treatment at private hospitals, you can consider getting an IP that matches your ward preference. If so, you should be prepared to pay additional premiums for the additional coverage.
