A cataract is the most common eye condition in Singapore, and the only way to treat it is through surgery. Singapore cataract surgery is performed by a cataract surgeon in Singapore as a day surgery procedure, which means you will not be required to stay in the hospital after that. Typically, it takes 30 minutes to complete.Yes, in …
A cataract is the most common eye condition in Singapore, and the only way to treat it is through surgery. Singapore cataract surgery is performed by a cataract surgeon in Singapore as a day surgery procedure, which means you will not be required to stay in the hospital after that. Typically, it takes 30 minutes to complete.
Yes, in Singapore, cataract surgery is covered by Medishield and other insurance policies. Many patients have been able to recover the entire cost of their bill through Medishield and other personal or corporate insurance policies. While cataract surgery is a day surgery procedure, it is Medisave claimable up to the approved surgical limit. Furthermore, if you have an Integrated Shield Plan, you can claim a portion or all of your cataract surgery costs for both private and public hospitals. It depends on your insurance coverage.
What is the maximum amount of Medisave that you can use for cataract surgery?
Singapore’s national health savings plan, Medisave, is available to all Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. While working, a portion of your monthly earnings will be transferred to your Medisave account for future healthcare needs.
When it comes to cataract surgery, every Singaporean and Permanent Resident can claim up to $2450 from their Medisave account or the Medisave account of an immediate family member. The procedure for using your Medisave is straightforward, with the administrative work completed before your surgery.
What steps must you take to use your Medisave for cataract surgery?
To begin, the clinic arranging your surgery will require you to complete a medical claims authorization form. Once completed, you only need to pay the remaining balance (after deducting the Medisave claimable amount) in cash or by credit card. The clinic will handle the rest of the administrative work after your surgery, including submitting an e-file to claim the amount from your Medisave.
Can your Integrated Shield Plan (IP) be used for cataract surgery?
Integrated Shield Plans are private insurance plans that can be added to your basic MediShield Life plan, available to all Singaporeans and PRs. Depending on your IP selection, you will have additional coverage for B1 and A-class wards in public hospitals, as well as private hospitals.
If you purchased a rider for your Integrated Shield Plan, the claim limit would be higher depending on your rider plan. Individuals who purchased full riders before April 1, 2019, will not have to pay anything out of pocket for the surgery*.
*If you purchase your full rider after March 8, 2018, but before April 1, 2019, you will have full coverage on coinsurance and deductible portions of your bill until April 1, 2021. After this date, a 5% co-payment will be required. All full riders sold after April 1, 2019, will have a minimum co-payment of 5%.
How do you use your Integrated Shield Plan for cataract surgery?
The procedure for using your Integrated Shield Plan is straightforward and can be completed concurrently with using your Medisave for the surgery. Again, you must first complete the medical claims authorization form. Following that, you must pay a deposit (the amount of which depends on the type of IP you have) in cash or by credit card.
Again, the clinic will handle the rest of the administrative work after your surgery. It includes submitting an e-file to claim the amount from your IP and Medisave. If your insurance provides full coverage, the deposit you paid will be refunded to you within a few months.
Can I use Medisave and the Integrated Shield Plan for my surgery at the same time?
You can use MediSave to pay for the deductible and coinsurance portions of your medical bills that are not covered by your insurance policy, up to the applicable limits. The deductible is the initial fixed amount of the medical bill that you must pay before you can file a claim with your insurance company (the deductible is reset each policy year). Depending on the plan and ward class, the deductible ranges from $1,500 to $3,500.
After you pay your deductible, you may still be required to pay co-insurance. The amount you must split with your insurer after deducting the deductible from your medical bill is referred to as co-insurance. It is most commonly expressed as a percentage. For example, if you have a 10% co-insurance, you will pay 10% of the medical bill after the deductible, while your insurer will pay the remaining 90%.
Individuals who have purchased the full Integrated Shield Plan Rider will have their coinsurance and deductibles covered.
As an example:
| The cost of treatment | $10,000 |
|---|---|
| Deductible (for private hospital) | $3,500 |
| Co-insurance (10% of the balance amount from deducting the deductibles from treatment cost) | $650 |
| Total out-of-pocket expenses (Deductible + Co-insurance) | $4,150 |
Medisave claimable limit for cataract surgery: Up to $2,450
Net out-of-pocket expense: $1,700 (Cash or credit card accepted)
Your Integrated Shield Plan will cover the remaining costs of the surgery (IP). As previously stated, individuals who purchase the full Integrated Shield Plan Rider are fully covered for coinsurance and deductibles.
Are private hospital services covered by all Integrated Shield Plans?
Yes, private hospital services are covered by all integrated shield plans. The amount of coverage, however, is determined by the plan you choose. In terms of coverage, each insurer will have a slightly different percentage.
For example, if your integrated shield plan states that it covers “Restructured hospital for ward class B1 and below,” it will only cover up to 50%* of private hospital treatment fees after coinsurance and deductibles. After coinsurance and deductible portions, integrated shield plans that state “Restructured hospital for ward class A and below” only cover up to 65%* of private hospital treatment fees. If your integrated shield plan covers “Standard room in private hospital or private medical institution,” it will pay up to 100% of private hospital treatment fees after coinsurance and deductibles.
*The coverage percentage is taken from the NTUC IncomeShield website. Please consult with your insurer to fully understand your coverage.
If you recently got cataract surgery in Singapore, you can use Medishield for it.
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