Insurance coverage for mental health treatments in Singapore

Tips & Resources
Written By Siti Amirah

The prevalence of mental health issues has been on a concerning rise in recent years.

In Singapore, the National Population Health Survey released in September revealed an increase in reports of poor mental health, rising from 13.4 per cent in 2020 to 17 per cent in 2022 (Yong, 2023). 

Given the rising prevalence of mental health issues in Singapore, it is crucial to address not only awareness and stigma but also the accessibility of mental health services, including insurance coverage. It’s important for individuals to have sufficient support when seeking professional help. This involves knowing about the available insurance options for mental health conditions and having a comprehensive understanding of their coverage.

Note: Calm Collective Asia does not endorse or recommend any specific insurance plans. The following list is provided for informational purposes, and readers are advised to conduct their own research to make informed decisions based on their individual needs and circumstances.

Available Insurance Coverage for Mental Health in Singapore

1. MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans

MediShield Life is a basic health insurance plan that covers all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents for large hospital bills. Under this insurance plan, you are able to claim $160 per day for inpatient psychiatric treatment, up to 60 days per policy year. 

However, Do note that MediShield Life will only cover a certain portion of your bill for B2/C-type wards in public hospitals and only a small portion of your bill if you choose to stay in A/B1-type wards or private hospitals. 

Currently, MediShield Life only covers inpatient treatment. It does not cover post-hospitalisation treatment and outpatient treatment. 

If you would like to have additional coverage on top of the existing MediShield Life coverage, you may consider getting an Integrated Shield Plan. An Integrated Shield Plan covers the cost of A/B1-type wards or private hospitals. It is managed by private insurers at higher premiums cost. 


Find out more about MediShield Life and standard exclusions here.

Find out more about Integrated Shield Plans and the types available here.

2. AIA Beyond Critical Care 

AIA Beyond Critical Care is a health insurance plan that offers protection against major-stage critical illnesses, relapse and mental health conditions. There are also optional add-ons for additional coverage.

The key benefits of the plan include Holistic Critical Illness Protection, 100% Refund of Premium Benefit and Mental Well-being Benefit among others. Under the Mental Well-being Benefit, AIA pays an additional 20% of the coverage amount (up to $50,000 per claim) until age 75 for five mental health conditions– Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Tourette Syndrome (up to age 21). 

However, do note that you can make a maximum of 5 claims for the covered mental health conditions, subjected to a waiting period of 3 years between each claim.

Find out more about the full coverage, policy fine print and standard exclusions here.

3. Income SNACK Self Care Pack

NTUC Income has launched a standalone mental wellness insurance plan called ‘SNACK Self Care Pack’. It is a monthly subscription plan that is designed to be an ‘active recovery and preventive’ solution to support mental well-being and promote seeking early treatment. 

The key benefits of this plan is that it provides a coverage of up to $200 a month for psychiatric consultations and a coverage of up to $500 a month for psychotherapy sessions, not subjected to inpatient or post-hospitalisation conditions.

However, in order for subscribers to claim psychotherapy sessions, they will need to be referred by a psychiatrist to undergo psychotherapy. Subscribers with existing mental conditions and who are currently seeing a psychiatrist are also not eligible for claims within 12 months unless the coverage is for a diagnosis of a different condition. 

Find out more about the SNACK Self Care Pack here

Find out more about the policy conditions here

Workplace Insurance Coverage

Aside from the listed insurance coverages above, some employers may offer insurance coverage as part of employment benefits. These policies may include mental health coverage such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that provide confidential counselling services. It is advisable for individuals to verify with their employers whether their respective organisations provide insurance coverage for mental health support.

On a final note…

While a list of insurance coverage for mental health has been provided, the information is not exhaustive. There may be additional insurance options available in the market. It's important for individuals to thoroughly review the offerings of each insurance provider and consider factors such as coverage limits, exclusions and specific mental health services and conditions covered. If necessary, consult with insurance professionals to make choices that align with personal requirements. 

This article is meant to allow individuals to understand some of the available options and to be proactive in seeking the right coverage. In doing so, individuals can prioritise their mental well-being without shouldering financial strain.


References

Siti Amirah
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