Purchasing Primary Care Plans for Work Permit and S Pass Holders and Medical Insurance for Employment Pass Holders

37 Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Manpower (a) whether the Ministry is considering requiring employers to purchase the Primary Care Plan (PCP) for Work Permit and S Pass holders who do not stay in dormitories or work in the Construction, Marine Shipyard and Process sectors; and (b) whether the Ministry is considering requiring employers to purchase medical insurance for Employment Pass holders.

Dr Tan See Leng: The Primary Care Plan (PCP) is mandated only for Work Permit and S Pass holders who live in dormitories or work in the construction, marine shipyard and process sectors. This is because most of these workers live in communal dormitories and face a higher risk of infectious disease outbreaks. The PCP also improves accessibility of primary care as PCP clinics are usually located near where they stay. Employers may choose to purchase the PCP, which is under a fixed capitation rate, for their other migrant workers to have better cost certainty.

The Ministry of Manpower does not require employers to purchase medical insurance for Employment Pass holders, as they would have the means to purchase personal medical insurance or may be receiving medical benefits as part of their employment contract.