• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Property
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Work & Finance
        • soccer school sports - SJI International studentsWhich school sports to choose?
        • Transform borders Singapore immigration lawyer sulochanaTHE Singapore immigration lawyer to get your work permit
        • Driving in SingaporeDriving in Singapore – What you need to know
        • migration to AustraliaIs migration to Australia or NZ on your wish list?
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Things to do in SingpaoreWhat’s on this week and beyond
        • puzzles octoberPuzzle Pages – answers for October 2023!
        • horoscopes for julyMonthly Horoscopes – October 2023!
        • what's on in sydney theatre wickedA Wickedly Good Time – Things to Do in Sydney!
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • soccer school sports - SJI International studentsWhich school sports to choose?
        • special needs education clinic TLCNeed special needs education support for your child?
        • Yellow Aliens mascotWhere to rent Halloween costumes & more!
        • White Room photography studio in SingaporePortrait photography in Singapore: here’s some top studios!
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Furniture & Décor
      • Real Homes
        • Looking for the best outdoor furniture in Singapore?
        • Home News: New furniture, home décor & services
        • solo exhibition in singaporeAmazing 3D-style artwork by Zhuang Hong Yi
        • Where to buy antiques or vintage furniture – Reviews
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Australasia
      • Rest Of The World
        • migration to AustraliaIs migration to Australia or NZ on your wish list?
        • The Latest Travel News & Hotel Deals
        • what's on in sydney theatre wickedA Wickedly Good Time – Things to Do in Sydney!
        • stamp duty investing in property5 Reasons to Invest in Property in Sunny Spain!
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • New Nibbles: Foodie news!
        • Oktoberfest 2023 singapore - the places for food and beerHow to celebrate Oktoberfest 2023 in Singapore
        • Deviate wine bar in Dempsey Hill - we chat to owner Joe Keats of Petersons WinesThis Dempsey bar is a best-kept secret!
        • Crossroads cafe at Orchard - where to eat in Orchard Road - alfresco dining SingaporeTry alfresco dining & happy hour at this café at Orchard Road
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • anti-frizz hair treatmentFrizzy hair? We review keratin treatments and more
        • hairdressers in singaporeBest Hair Salons in Singapore for Haircut, Colour & De-frizz!
        • Fashion News and Sales in Singapore!
        • sensitive skin moisturiser skincare steps productsTried & Tested: Sensitive skin moisturisers, serums & more!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • soccer school sports - SJI International studentsWhich school sports to choose?
        • dental facial orthopaedic and clear aligners orthodontics in singaporeA star in alignment – orthodontics and charity work
        • mould service in singaporeChoose the right mould removal service in Singapore
        • allergic rhinitis, allergy medication and insuranceFast facts on allergies, symptoms & insurance
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • Close

Are your employee insurance benefits enough?

5th April 2022 by Amy Greenburg 3 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/are-your-employee-insurance-benefits-enough/

Chances are, your employee insurance benefits don’t offer enough coverage for you and your family. Here, our friends at Pacific Prime Singapore fill us in what to know about most group insurance plans, and why it’s important to consider top-up insurance as an expat living and working here in Singapore.

Group insurance vs individual insurance benefits

Provided by businesses and organisations, group insurance policies give people access to high-quality healthcare. Though it’s not a requirement in Singapore, many employers provide health insurance benefits for employees. That’s great news because medical treatments in Singapore can be quite costly; and health insurance premiums are some of the highest in the region. This is why basic insurance packages are an extra incentive for talented job candidates. 

So, what makes group insurance different from individual or family health insurance policies?

Group insurance policies typically cover pre-existing conditions. Even so, you can’t expect them to cover all of your needs. In fact, employer-provided group insurance plans aren’t as comprehensive as you might think. Many group insurance plans only offer a minimum level of insurance benefits for employees.

The problem with group insurance plans

Businesses must be smart about their costs, and group insurance can be a considerable expense. Placing restrictions on health insurance benefits for most employees can help make it more affordable.

top-up insurance to complement your employee insurance benefits

When it comes to employee insurance benefits, some of the most common cost control measures include:  

#1 Restricted network of healthcare providers

One common way of keeping costs down is to restrict coverage to a preselected network of providers. That way, policyholders have limited access to expensive medical facilities in the area – which Singapore has plenty of. 

#2 Low limits and coverage

It might look like your group health insurance plan covers everything you can think of. But how much it covers is another story. If your policy has low maximum benefits, all costs exceeding these limits will likely have to be paid out of your own pocket. 

#3 Excluded treatments

In some cases, group health insurance plans may cut out all benefits for certain treatments. This is usually based on the demographics of the group and the historical use of the plan. 

#4 Gaps in group insurance plans in Singapore

Having assisted many corporate clients in Singapore with their group health insurance solutions, Pacific Prime has noticed several areas where group insurance plans leave gaps. For example, where:

  • insurance coverage only applies in Singapore;
  • there is no portability option;
  • there are no dental, maternity or wellness benefits; and
  • there’s no vaccination coverage.

#5 Critical illness exclusions

Exclusions on pre-existing conditions are also common with group insurance plans in Singapore, removing the one thing that often makes these plans stand out. These are just some reasons that may lead you to realise your existing health insurance coverage simply isn’t enough – and top-up insurance may be the answer. 

top-up insurance can make up for the group insurance benefits you're lacking

How top-up insurance can help

Once you’ve decided your employee insurance benefits don’t offer the level of protection you need, it’s time to consider your options. The good news is that you might not have to purchase an entirely new health insurance policy when top-up insurance options are available. 

What is top-up insurance?

Top-up insurance is a tailored insurance solution that considers your existing insurance benefits and adds where your plan’s benefits are lacking. For instance, you could purchase a top-up insurance plan to add more coverage so you don’t have to pay for treatment out of pocket if you exceed the annual maximum limit on your group insurance plan. 

Similarly, you can add insurance benefits for conditions that aren’t covered, or additional features like dental, vision and maternity insurance. 

The benefits of top-up insurance for expats

Top-up insurance is ideal for anyone who feels their existing health insurance benefits may not be enough to protect them. However, as an expat, top-up insurance may be especially appealing, as you don’t have access to public healthcare options like Singaporeans do. It’s also important to consider whether you want coverage outside of Singapore since most group insurance plans don’t offer it. 

If you purchase a comprehensive international health insurance plan, you can have your medical costs covered in Singapore and around the world with just one plan. 

Having said that, in some cases, top-up insurance may be sufficient. The only way to know for sure is to carefully go over your options with a reputable insurance broker like Pacific Prime Singapore. Get in touch for impartial advice and a free plan comparison today. 

Written in collaboration with
Pacific Prime Singapore
18 Cross Street, China Square Central, #14-05
6346 3781 | pacificprime.sg


Read on for more about insurance and other
health and fitness topics in Singapore.

Categories: Health & Fitness Living in Singapore Medical Work & Finance Tags: Health Insurance Pacific Prime Singapore top-up insurance

Amy Greenburg

Originally from Los Angeles, Amy is passionate about Netflix, sipping rosé at rooftop bars, travelling, and all things health and wellness-related. She enjoys learning about different health topics through her writing, particularly critical health conditions, food allergies, alternative therapies, and pregnancy and postpartum-related issues

You May Also Like

dental facial orthopaedic and clear aligners orthodontics in singapore

A star in alignment – orthodontics and charity work

mould service in singapore

Choose the right mould removal service in Singapore

Plantar Fasciitis and knee injuries from running

How to avoid these 6 common running injuries

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2023 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.