Health insurance for expat from UK

[DawnK]

Hi Everyone

I'd like some guidance on what a 23 year old male coming from the UK for 1-2 years work would need in terms of health insurance. No current health issues but would like to have piece of mind. Essential are hospital emergencies but is it worth getting GP/dental cover as well or are the costs lower than in the UK? Where is the best place to get insurance from? should I look for a broker here or are there some local providers that I should use instead?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Barnsley]

Hi Everyone

I'd like some guidance on what a 23 year old male coming from the UK for 1-2 years work would need in terms of health insurance. No current health issues but would like to have piece of mind. Essential are hospital emergencies but is it worth getting GP/dental cover as well or are the costs lower than in the UK? Where is the best place to get insurance from? should I look for a broker here or are there some local providers that I should use instead?

Thanks in advance for any help.

The company where you will be working will surely provide some form of insurance cover. You can get additional personal insurance if you wish as the company insurance may not cover everything.

Probably not for dental , but they may cover a couple of trips a year for check-up but defo not serious dental treatment. This they would probably have to get separate insurance if they so wish.

[Strong Eagle]

If your company doesn't provide any insurance, then it is possible to obtain a local insurance policy. However, be aware that such policies only cover you while in Singapore and if you are planning on traveling, you will also need to find a comprehensive medical traveler's policy.

More commonly, expats look at global health policies that cover the expat everywhere and offer things like evacuation if you're in a country with poor medical facilities and return home with permanent care for things like cancer.

[DawnK]

The company doesn't provide health cover unfortunately. I have had quotes from brokers in the UK starting at around £2K per year for Hospital/GP/Dental but wondered if the GP/Dental costs were worth covering. If I took out a local policy, I would take out further travel insurance for the trips abroad from Singapore.

Thanks for your response.

[archcherub]

hi there,
hospitalisation plan in Singapore's gonna probably cost you somewhere around 1200/year, depending on which insurer you sign up with. Unfortunately, GP/Dental insurance is only covered under corporate insurance. I understand that some companies here give their employees a certain amount of money to purchase their own policies. Is that what your company is essentially doing? This amount of money should already have been factored into your monthly income.

if my company does not offer clinic or GP coverage for my usual sickness, how can i encourage my HR department to cover for all of us? i am not exactly a high level executive, though i wish they can provide this coverage for all of us.
I tried to check for expat insurance coverage, but apparently, expat insurance is just private health insurance?

is there tax deduction for this? I really want to present a good case for my hr director to cover us. not sure if am paranoid but singapore is expensive.

[3carlos]

Answering the first post: Dental is normally an add-on to global health plans (you can't add it on to local health plans (only cover inpatient events like hospital stay or surgery). There are standalone plans that you co-pay 50% - can be handy for those expensive root canal treatments and routine dental checks.

Other than price, there is another big reason for expats to buy international health plans - local plans will always require you to pay first and be reimbursed later. That's ok for my $1xx accident&emergency treatment, but not for my $5x,xxx heart bypass treatment. International plans offer an option for direct billing (time must be given and some paperwork filled).

Answering archcherub: Honestly, no one can force a company to get cover for their employees. You have to pick and choose a company wisely at the start. Some companies give you an allowance to buy your own plan (taxable as part of your income). But in this particular situation, there is also a tax benefit for the company (IRAS gives a higher limit for plans which are portable for employees).

Companies can offer a few types of packages:
1. Local packages (normally at least hospital cover is provided, but can be upgraded to GP, Specialist, Dental)
2. Custom plans (companies can pick and choose what they want, e.g. make employees pay the first $5 for every GP visit)
3. Group international plans (for those with more budget, or have employees traveling around a lot)

Expat insurance is not exactly necessary from a company standpoint as normal Group Hospital & Surgical (GHS) like (1) and (2) cover you internationally (albeit with a rather low limit most of the time).