The Government has thus far borne the COVID-19 medical expenses for pass holders, unless they left Singapore from 27 Mar 2020 despite the prevailing travel advisory.

Effective 1 January 2021, the Singapore Government will no longer be covering pass holders. returning to or entering Singapore for their treatment costs if they develop COVID-19 symptoms or test positive within 14 days of arrival in Singapore. This is regardless of when they left Singapore. As employers are responsible for their workers’ (Foreign Domestic Workers, Confinement Nannies, Work Permit, Training Work Permit and S Pass holders) medical expenses in Singapore, they must buy COVID-19 medical insurance for all these workers entering Singapore from 1 January 2021 to help manage these expenses.

The insurance must meet these requirements:

  • Covers at least $10,000 for medical expenses if the worker develops COVID-19 symptoms or tests positive within 14 days of arrival in Singapore.
  • Covers worker issued with work pass in-principle approvals (MOM IPAs).

Once the workers have obtained MOM’s entry approval, employers must buy the insurance before they arrive in Singapore. For all other pass holders (e.g. EP holders or dependants), they are encouraged to buy medical insurance with the appropriate coverage before entering Singapore as they are responsible for their own medical expenses if they develop COVID-19 symptoms or test positive within 14 days of arrival in Singapore.

With this development, most insurers are offering their Foreign Worker Medical Insurance policyholders an add-on Stay Home Notice (SHN) Covid-19 rider to cover up to a maximum of S$15,000 for hospitalization costs in Singapore Restructured and/or Community Hospitals if the insured worker is diagnosed with COVID-19 during his/her 14-day SHN period upon arrival in Singapore.

It is important to note the following:

  • Rider must be purchased before the worker’s arrival in Singapore and no back-dating is allowed.
  • Coverage is on named basis and MOM IPA is required to effect cover.
  • Standalone COVID-19 will not be offered. It will be an add-on/rider to new/existing foreign worker medical insurance.
  • Quarantine charges, Isolation facilities charges, COVID-19 swab tests and non-medical related charges are not covered.

ALLEGIANCE is a general insurance intermediary that has been serving commercial clients for more than 20 years. We go through a systematic process to help employers arrange a comprehensive foreign worker medical insurance at competitive prices. Find out more here.

For a quotation or more information, please contact us at 6513 6984 or email us at: client.service@allegiance.com.sg