Medical Coverage

A few years back, there were several news articles which mention that in Singapore, we can all afford to die, but we cant afford to fall sick. I guess I need not spell out the reasons why.

In 1999, i had a major abdominal operation. I think the bill was around $6K++ (operation bills + ward + follow-ups + x-rays + endoscopy). Fortunately, I was a NSF then and everything was paid by SAF. I didn feel the pinch at all. And just before I ORD, I went to NUS for my medical screening, and was found with heart murmur. I went back to my SAF medical doctor, who refered me to CMPB medical board, and was subsequently given a radiography appointment 2 weeks later. However, i was going to ORD in just 3 days' time, meaning I will no longer be a NSF during my radiography. I was told I wud be charged $200++ for the treatment. Of cos, I didnt proceed as i didnt wanna pay the $200++.

7 yrs later, I was hospitalized again for abdominal pains. I chose to stay in Ward B1, and the medical bills amounted to 2K ++. Fortunately, I was fully covered by my company medical insurance.

However, my dad was not as fortunate. He had a kidney stone removal operation few months back and his hosp bills was $6K+. When he was younger and richer, he was very supportive of his insurance agent friends and he bought at least 5 insurance policies from them. Now, he business has ended and he has very limited savings left. He tried to contact his friends to ask for insurance claims, but found out NONE of his policies could cover his medical bills. All the policies he has bought are Life Plans, Disabilities and Critical Illness. And kidney stone does not fall within any of the 32 critical illness. I could see the great disappointment on his face upon learning he has to fork out the 6K++ himself. I felt cheated too, and felt my dad was too trusting in the past and took up watever his friends offered him. (They earn the most from Life Plans i guess).

After my dad's incident, I felt the need to buy medical insurance that will cover my hospitalization bills. I applied at least 6-8 polices from different companies. Most of them did not offer me 'standard condition' polices but counter offered me with 'conditioned' polices instead - meaning my coverage will exclude my pre-existing conditions, even though it was 7 yrs ago and I have 3 very thorough X-ray/ultrasound/scan to show that I am perfectly healthy! Fortunately, 1 company accepted me fully - and its not a v good policy actually. But at least I know i need not worry abt any hefty hosp bills, like my dad's case.

Hence to all friends out there, pls go and get yourself a medical/hospital insurance policy while u r still healthy. Firstly, our company policy may not be able to cover us completely. Secondly, we will nv know when we r going to fall sick (i have seen many ppl who keep a v healthy lifestyle but still fall very sickly). Most imptly, once u have any medical history record, u will run into problems like me. You may not even be offered any policy. And if suay suay kena the situation like my dad, then will have to fork out a large sum of money to pay for the hosp bills. And most imptly, this medishield is paid using our CPF, not cash. Tats why i feel its a NEED to buy :D