IP rider changes: Yet another stab at dampening claims and improving insurers’ results

[SINGAPORE] Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) are once again in the spotlight, and policyholders are likely – yet again – to find that the goalposts have shifted.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has just announced two major changes to IP riders from April next year: One, new riders will no longer cover the IP deductibles. Two, the co-payment cap – currently set at a minimum of S$3,000 a year since 2018 – will be raised to a minimum of S$6,000 per policy year.

Insurers may continue to sell existing rider plans from now till Mar 31, 2026, but new policyholders will transition to the new riders no later than their next policy renewal after April 2028. Insurers will study their own approaches for existing riders, and policyholders are free to switch to the new riders to save on premiums.