Expanding CareShield Life Coverage to More Persons under Age 30 or Permit Exceptional Coverage on Appeal

Mr Foo Cexiang asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider expanding CareShield Life coverage to include more persons aged below 30 years, or permit exceptional coverage on appeal, depending on the unique circumstances of each case.

Under CareShield Life, policyholders pay premiums during their working years, for protection against severe disability, which occurs mostly at the older ages. Mandatory enrolment and coverage begin at age 30 as most Singaporeans would have started work by then and have MediSave savings to pay for their premiums.

If we extend enrolment and coverage to below 30 on appeal, it will lead to adverse selection where those who more likely to make claims are more likely to opt in. This means pushing up premiums for everyone else. There is a clear trade off, and such a move needs to be considered very carefully.

Young Singaporeans with disability requiring assistance to perform their activities of daily living, can access other Government schemes besides CareShield Life. These include the Home Caregiving Grant, as well as MediFund.