Medical Insurance Coverage for Foreign Domestic Workers

31 Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked the Minister for Manpower (a) how many foreign domestic workers are currently covered by additional medical insurance beyond the compulsory coverage of $15,000 for inpatient care and day surgery per annum; and (b) whether the Ministry will require the compulsory medical insurance to also cover outpatient care.

Mrs Josephine Teo: We do not track the number of employers who purchase medical insurance above the required $15,000 coverage for their Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs). In the past three years, 96% of FDW medical bills were below $15,000. Employers who had not opted for additional insurance coverage and have difficulty paying medical bills for their FDWs can approach the hospitals for assistance.

Outpatient bills, which are typically lower, are often managed by FDW employers without the need for insurance. Requiring FDW insurance to cover outpatient care will increase insurance premiums for employers across the board and may not be welcome by all.