Singapore Health Insurance FAQ

Whether you've been living in Singapore your whole life, are a new arrival, just want to shop around to see what else is out there when it comes to health coverage, everybody does well to re-examine their coverage from time to time to make sure what they have is really filling their current needs. Because shopping around for health insurance is not always easy, we have put together a list of some of insurance agent Pacific Prime’s most commonly asked questions to give you some points to think on. Take a few minutes to review them while considering your current medical insurance coverage, your future needs, and, if you have any concerns, or just need a bit more clarity on how a particular element of coverage would relate to your specific situation, feel free to talk to one of their expert advisers who will happily answer any questions you have.

Q: Do your policies only provide coverage in Singapore?

A: No. In fact, Pacific Prime policies generally provide coverage far beyond just Singapore. All coverage plans available to our customers, both expatriate and Singaporean, include comprehensive coverage benefits that protect you both in Singapore and abroad.

Q: Does that mean that I'm covered whenever I travel, too.

A: Absolutely. Most plans comes with global coverage benefits as standard. This also means that they are portable if you decide to relocate elsewhere in the future.

Q: What about the USA, is that covered?

A: The majority of Pacific Prime’s policies do not include benefits while the insured is in the United States. This is because the cost of medical treatments is drastically higher than innearly any other country, and providing coverage for that location would unnecessarily raise annual policy premiums for many of our customers. However, if someone does need coverage in the USA, there are policies and add-on coverage options that can be purchased to provide that protection. Otherwise, a Traveler’s Insurance policy specifically for a single planned trip to the United States can serve its purpose very affordably.

Q: Does this coverage cover all accidents, or just hospitalization?

A: Policies cover both accidents and hospitalization - with no minimum stay required.

Q: Can I choose my own doctor?

A: Yes. Any doctor or hospital that honors your insurance is covered.

Q: Are alternative therapies and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) covered?

A: Pacific Prime has policies available that cover both of these treatment methods.This can extend to osteopathy, chiropractors, homeopathy and TCM, among other types of ‘softer treatments’

Q: What is an excess amount, or a deductible?

A: As with all forms of insurance, a policy deductible, sometimes called excess, is the amount of money the policyholder is required to pay either per condition or per year, depending on the specific plan, towards their own medical care. After that amount is met then the remainder of care is covered by the insurer up to the policy limit.Some policies or benefits can come with a ‘zero deductible’ meaning that the treatments will be reimbursed in full

Q: Can I cancel whenever I want?

A: Yes. If you are ever unhappy with your coverage, you are free to cancel at anytime and for any reason, but most policies would offer a refund only if no claims were made. Also, some companies charge admin fees or ‘short-term rates’ which are generally higher than standard premiums, i.e. some insurers charge for 2 months more than effectively used.

Q: Do I need a referral before seeing a physician?

A: This will depend on the specific policy that you select, but most of our plans do not require referral. Just let us know how much freedom you require and we will be sure to connect you with the right coverage for your situation.

Q: Can Pacific Prime cover my home and other property too?

A: Absolutely. Pacific Prime has coverage for home, motor, health, property and more. Just talk to us about your needs and our advisers can create a convenient coverage plan that covers as much or as little as you need.