Mental Health Insurance Coverage
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the consistency of mental health insurance coverage among Integrated Shield Plan (IP) providers and the improvement of underwriting processes through better data assessment. Dr Wan Rizal and Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling inquired about addressing coverage disparities, developing industry guidelines, and incentivising private insurers to expand their mental health offerings. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung responded that MediShield Life provides universal inpatient coverage, while private IP enhancements remain subject to insurers' commercial and actuarial considerations. He explained that outpatient mental health costs are primarily managed through Government subsidies and MediSave, with MediFund serving as a safety net for the needy. The Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung affirmed that the Ministry of Health will continue reviewing financing schemes to keep pace with evolving patient needs.
Transcript
46 Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Health (a) whether actions are being considered to address the disparities in mental health coverage among the six Integrated Shield Plan (IP) providers and, if so, what are they; and (b) whether the Ministry will develop any guidelines or standards to ensure a basic level of mental health coverage across all IP providers.
47 Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Health (a) whether there are initiatives to bolster data collection and risk assessment concerning mental health to aid the underwriting processes of insurance companies and, if so, what are they; and (b) whether the Ministry collaborates with private insurers to foster a better understanding and objective assessment of mental health risks.
48 Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Health (a) what measures are being taken to enhance public awareness regarding the availability and advantages of mental health insurance coverage; and (b) whether there are plans by the Ministry to incentivise private insurance companies to broaden their mental health insurance offerings.
49 Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry will be providing guidelines to the insurance industry on the classification of mental health insurance as they develop the product coverage; and (b) whether there are sufficient independent assessors in the industry for objective assessments of mental well-being to help the insurers underwrite the coverage for mental conditions.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: All Singaporeans and Permanent Residents are covered under MediShield Life (MSHL). MSHL provides coverage for hospitalisation, including inpatient mental health treatments and selected costly outpatient treatments.
Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) and other private health insurance plans offer optional coverage on top of MSHL. Today, all IP insurers offer plans that cover inpatient mental health treatment, with varying claim limits. Coverage, underwriting decisions and premiums are subject to insurers’ actuarial and commercial considerations. Insurers assess risks based on reliable information relevant to the risks being insured, which may include medical reports, clinical surveys or studies.
Insurance is useful for financing costly but low-incidence treatments. For outpatient treatments that are more frequently accessed and less costly, for example, treatment for chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and mental health conditions, insurance may be less useful. Instead, individuals may tap on subsidies and MediSave.
If one is still unable to afford their mental health treatment despite Government subsidies, insurance and MediSave, MediFund is available at public healthcare institutions as a safety net to assist needy Singaporeans. The Ministry of Health will continue to regularly review our financing schemes to keep pace with evolving medical practice and patient needs.