Singapore: Enhanced Medical Insurance Requirements for Work Permit and S Pass Holders
April 4, 2023
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At a Glance
- The Singapore government announced that it will enhance the minimum medical insurance requirements for all new and existing Work Permit (including migrant domestic workers) and S Pass holders in two stages.
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- Starting July 1, 2023 (Stage 1), employers will be required to co-pay 25% for claim amounts above the first SGD 15,000, with a new increased annual claim limit of SGD 60,000.
- Starting July 1, 2025 (Stage 2), the Singapore government will standardize allowable exclusion clauses, introduce age-differentiated premiums, and mandate direct reimbursement from insurers to hospitals.
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- The government recommends that employers engage with insurers early ahead of the above implementation dates to avoid any inconvenience.
The situation
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced that it will enhance the minimum medical insurance (MI) requirements for all new and existing Work Permit and S Pass holders in two stages.
A closer look
| Effective Date | Details | Impact |
| Stage 1 - Starting on July 1, 2023 |
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| Stage 2 - Starting on July 1, 2025 |
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Background
- Improvement and standardization of insurance requirements. The changes are in line with the government’s policy of enhancing the protection of foreign national workers by ensuring increased access to medical care for foreign nationals.
- Regular review and enhancement of work pass requirements. The MOM continues to review and implement enhancements to work pass conditions and requirements. Recently, the MOM introduced new verification requirements for Employment Pass applicants’ educational qualifications.
Looking ahead
It is likely that the Singapore government will continue introducing changes to work pass application requirements as it continues to improve various immigration pathways, which may include increased MI contributions for Employment Pass applicants as well in the future.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
