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1. What are CareShield Life/ElderShield supplements?
CareShield Life and ElderShield insured can consider purchasing Supplements from private insurers (Singlife, Great Eastern, or Income Insurance) to have additional benefits such as higher payouts or higher disability coverage.
There are no restrictions on the number of supplement policies one can be covered. Supplement premiums can be paid using MediSave, up to a limit of $600 per calendar year per person insured. Premiums for Supplements range widely and commensurate with the type of benefits they offer. You may refer to the comparison of Supplement plans on the Supplements website for more information.
For more information on your CareShield Life/ElderShield Supplements, please contact your insurer:
Singapore Life Limited
Address: 4 Shenton Way, #01-01, SGX Centre 2, Singapore 068807
Website: singlife.com
Email: cs_life@singlife.com
Hotline: 6827 9933Income Insurance Limited
Address: 75 Bras Basah Road, Income Centre, Singapore 189557
Website: income.com.sg
Hotline: 6788 1777The Great Eastern Life Assurance Company Limited
Address: 1 Pickering Street #13-01, Great Eastern Centre, Singapore 048659
Website: greateasternlife.com
Email: wecare-sg@greateasternlife.com
Hotline: 1800-248-2888You can check your CareShield Life/ElderShield supplement plan by following these steps:
a. Visit the CPF website.
b. Log in using your Singpass.
c. Hover over "my cpf" and click on "Healthcare" under "My dashboards".
d. Click on “Long-term care insurance” on the anchor links or scroll down to the “Long-term care insurance” section.
If you are covered under a Supplement plan, this section will show the insurer of your Supplement plan (i.e. Singlife, Great Eastern, or Income Insurance). Do contact your insurer to find out which Supplement plan you are covered under.If you do not have any Supplement plan, this section will not reflect any information.
2. How do I check the types of supplementary plans which I have purchased for myself or dependants?
If you want to know the number or types of supplementary plans you have purchased, please contact your insurer(s) directly or log into your insurer's web portal.
3. Can the Supplements work with both CareShield Life and ElderShield?
Specific Supplements may work with either ElderShield, CareShield Life, or both schemes. Please approach your insurer or financial advisor for more information on the specific Supplement product.
4. Should I join CareShield Life if I already have an existing ElderShield & ElderShield Supplement plan that provides similar coverage, e.g. lifetime payouts?
Existing insureds’ Supplement plans will not be affected, even if you join CareShield Life. You will continue to pay the same premiums for your Supplements and enjoy the same benefits for as long as you are covered. You will also be able to make claims under both CareShield Life and your Supplement plan.
You may wish to refer to the CareShield Life Premium Checker e-Service to view your premium details and premium support, and also speak to your financial advisor on whether you should upgrade to CareShield Life.
5. Will the Supplement premiums that I have already paid, be taken into account when I join CareShield Life?
Supplement products are strictly run by the private insurers and the premiums that have already been paid for Supplements will not be taken into account when you upgrade to CareShield Life. These Supplement policies will stay in-force as long as you continue to contribute premiums and do not terminate their coverage.
Nonetheless, ElderShield premiums that ElderShield insureds have paid will be taken into account when computing their CareShield Life premiums.
6. If my Supplements overlap with CareShield Life, will insurers provide a refund if I join CareShield Life?
Your Supplement policies will stay in-force as long as you contribute premiums and do not terminate their coverage. Your existing Supplement policies will not be adversely affected because of CareShield Life. You will also be able to make a claim under both CareShield Life and your Supplement.
You may wish to speak with your financial advisor for further advice.
7. There are so many private disability insurance products. Where can I seek advice on which to buy?
If you are covered under CareShield Life/ElderShield, you may consider whether the benefits of the current CareShield Life/ElderShield scheme suits your long-term care preferences. If you wish to have additional coverage or benefits on top of the CareShield Life/ElderShield scheme, you may consider purchasing a Supplement plan.
You may refer here for a comparison of Supplement plans offered by private insurers (Singlife, Great Eastern, or Income Insurance). You may also wish to speak to a financial advisor from one of the private insurers who can share more about their Supplement plans with you.
8. I am born in 1980 or later. If I buy private insurance products/Supplements similar to CareShield Life, can I be exempted from universal coverage?
CareShield Life will be universal for all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents born in 1980 or later. Private insurance can still play a complementary role by providing additional benefits above and beyond such basic coverage.
9. What happens if I stop paying for my Supplements if I join CareShield Life?
Supplement plans will lapse if you stop paying premiums. Please refer to your specific Supplement policy documents or consult your insurer for more information.
10. May I upgrade CareShield Life to get better coverage?
CareShield Life is intended to provide basic financial protection for long-term care needs, together with other long-term care financing sources, such as Government subsidies and assistance schemes, community support, personal savings, family support and Government-funded safety nets. If you wish to have additional coverage on top of what CareShield Life provides, you may wish to discuss with your financial advisor on a supplement plan that private insurers offer.
11. Can I purchase CareShield Life Supplement(s) if I have pre-existing illnesses?
CareShield Life Supplements are products by private insurers who set the underwriting decisions based on commercial and actuarial considerations.
You may refer here for a comparison of Supplement plans offered by private insurers (Singlife, Great Eastern, or Income Insurance). You may also wish to speak to a financial advisor from one of the private insurers who can share more about their Supplement plans with you.
12. Will ElderShield insurers continue selling Supplements?
The ElderShield insurers will continue administering Supplements that complement the current ElderShield schemes.
13. Will the Government be allowing more insurers to sell Supplements for CareShield Life/ElderShield?
The Government will review the CareShield Life/ElderShield Supplement market and assess the entry of new insurers into the Supplement market, if there is interest from other insurers.
14. Can I claim from both CareShield Life/ElderShield and my private personal insurance?
You may submit claims for CareShield Life or ElderShield with Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), and your Supplement plan with private insurers. You may check with your private insurers on the claims process and payouts for Supplement plan.
15. I have Supplements for CareShield Life/ElderShield. How do I make claim in this case?
To submit CareShield Life/ElderShield Supplements claims, you may approach your respective private insurer for details and advice:
• Singlife (Hotline no: 6827-9933)
• Great Eastern (Hotline no: 1800-248-2888)
• Income Insurance (Hotline no: 6332-1133)
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