Earlier this year, the government announced that patients who buy new Integrated Shield Plan (“ISP”) Riders must make 5% co-payment, with an annual cap of $3,000. This is a change from the previous position whereby purchased riders could potentially waive the entire hospitalization bill. This intervention from the government left many private insurers scrambling as they have until 1 April 2019 to roll out new riders that include the co-payment and cap.
Heartland Boy was caught with his pants down too as he only had an ISP with no riders. For too long, he had always felt comfortable enough to rely on the Health & Surgical insurance coverage provided by his company. However, some life changing events and this particular announcement from the government set him thinking. Therefore, he decided to purchase an Assist Rider for his existing NTUC Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage plan.
