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Health insurance for children in Singapore
Singapore is a fantastic place to raise a family for many excellent reasons, including personal safety, diversity, cleanliness, education, and recreation. It’s also a magnet for young travelers and expats planning to move to Singapore in 2021 or the near future. So if you already have a family or are planning on starting one after moving over, Singapore certainly ticks all the boxes as a place to live and raise your children.
While the Lion City also offers exceptional healthcare for adults and children alike, parents in Singapore still wonder if they should purchase health insurance for their children. This Pacific Prime Singapore article will discuss the reasons why health insurance for kids may be the right choice, as well as fundamental things to consider when choosing a suitable health insurance plan.
Why should kids in Singapore have health insurance?
There are potential health risks all around us, which can lead to medical issues or emergencies in a worst-case scenario. Whether it’s air pollution, sun exposure, or mold, environmental factors can have a severe impact on your child’s health.
Further reading:
Natural and artificial disasters can also occur at any time and result in serious injuries. Aside from environmental risks and unforeseen disasters, the following categories of risks to kids are present in Singapore.
Child illness
Even though Singapore is a safe place, it is still possible for injuries, illnesses, and other life-threatening events to occur. For example, infectious diseases like the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) are an obvious threat to your child’s health.
Regardless of where you go, the combination of a child’s relatively weak immune system and social interactions make them vulnerable to various illnesses. According to Health Hub, the ten most common pediatric medical conditions in Singapore are:
- Common cold
- Bronchitis and bronchiolitis
- Stomach flu (Gastroenteritis)
- Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD)
- Febrile seizures
- Chickenpox
- Eczema
- Asthma
- Allergic rhinitis (Allergies)
- Constipation
While colds and constipation are some of the least worrying health concerns for children, others like bronchitis and gastroenteritis are severe conditions that often require immediate medical attention. Additionally, chronic conditions like asthma can be ongoing issues that have to be dealt with long term. They also need regular medication for proper treatment.
Genetic disorders
Children aren’t just affected by the outside world. Our genetics can also be responsible for the development of an illness. In Singapore, the most common genetic disorders include:
- Congenital heart disease
- Down syndrome
- Autistic spectrum disorder
- Muscular dystrophy
- Haemophilia
- Thalassemias
The main concern regarding genetic disorders is that most don’t have an outright cure, while the rest are manageable at best. Therefore, anyone affected by genetic disorders may have to deal with them for their whole life. To top it off, some of these disorders significantly increase the chances of developing other health issues down the line. The medical costs of genetic disorders, along with associated conditions, can turn into a financial burden.
Parents who secure insurance for their child from birth can maintain their plan as the child gets older. However, once a diagnosis is established, many insurers will either exclude a disorder from coverage or not take on a prospective client because of the pre-existing condition.
Further reading:
Risk-prone activities
Engaging in physical activity is crucial for a child’s mental and physical development, but sports and other activities may result in injury. If your child enjoys sports, engaging in high-risk activities, or is restless in general, then health insurance can be ideal for them. Common injuries among children in Singapore include:
- Cuts
- Falls0
- Burns and scalds
- Cycling accidents
- Injuries caused by sharp objects
- Injuries caused by crushing and blunt instruments
Even kids who aren’t sporty or energetic can get injured anytime, anywhere. While cuts, scrapes, and burns are common childhood injuries, accidents like poisoning and eye injuries are more worrying.
Mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact everyone in many different ways, and children are no exception. In fact, kids of all ages in Singapore are at risk of feeling depressed and stressed from all the negative news surrounding the pandemic.
That’s why as parents, it’s essential to know how to talk to your children about mental health. With close supervision, children will cope better and learn how to stay healthy and happy. However, if left unattended, mental health concerns can grow to affect their physical health.
Further reading:
What to consider when selecting health insurance for children
The type of coverage your child needs depends on your situation. When it comes to choosing a policy, it’s essential to understand the benefits and exclusions. For example, some policies depend on your child’s age and whether you plan on having more. Here are some more considerations to think about when selecting health insurance for kids.
Inpatient treatment
Every expat health insurance plan in Singapore should include inpatient benefits. These benefits cover the cost of any treatments that require your child to stay in a hospital overnight, visit the ER, or undergo surgery. Children are generally covered for the expenses of common childhood illnesses and injuries, such as broken bones or tonsillectomy. This type of coverage is especially beneficial since these treatments can cost a substantial amount of money.
Outpatient treatment
You can typically add outpatient benefits to your inpatient insurance plan by purchasing a package. These benefits cover trips to your GP or a specialist, prescribed medications, and diagnostic tests or scans. While outpatient treatments are relatively inexpensive, the costs can add up if your child often gets sick.
Vaccination coverage
While vaccinations are crucial for young and newborn children, older children require extended vaccination schedules and booster shots. Vaccinations are often included in outpatient benefits, depending on the health insurance plan you choose. Be sure to check the annual limit coverage when selecting the best plan for your needs.
Further reading:
- Vaccines in Singapore: Protecting your child and your community
- Baby and child vaccination schedule in Singapore: What you should know
Parental accommodation
Parental accommodation is another benefit that parents with young children should be aware of in Singapore. This benefit covers the cost of a spare bed so you can care for your child during their stay in the hospital. International health policies tend to provide parental accommodation as part of inpatient benefits.
Further reading:
Adding a newborn
If you’re planning on adding another member to the family, you can add newborns to your family health insurance plan without medical underwriting. Adding a newborn to your existing plan allows your child to receive immediate coverage once you fill out a form with your insurer. Alternatively, you can also secure standalone newborn health insurance in advance of giving birth to your child.
What does newborn health insurance cover?
Health insurance for babies often includes a range of standard benefits, as well as coverage for some child-related matters, such as:
- Inpatient
- Private room for hospital admissions
- Outpatient (including GP consultations, specialist pediatric appointments, and diagnostics)
- Prescribed medication
- Direct billing
- Dental and vision
- Newborn vaccinations
Further reading:
Need a health insurance quote for your child?
Aside from offering extra protection against potentially expensive medical costs, securing a private health insurance policy for your child gives you invaluable peace of mind. Whether you are making sure your child’s healthcare needs are covered or planning for the future, Pacific Prime Singapore can help you choose the right health insurance for you and your family.
Contact us for answers to any of your health insurance questions or a free price quote today.
Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.
Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.
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