Important Updates on AIA Shield Plan Coverage

In line with the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) announcement on the 24^th March 2020, Singapore residents, both citizens and permanent residents, and long-term pass holders, will not be able to claim under MediShield Life (MSHL) or Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) for treatments at both public and private hospitals if they:

1.         leave Singapore from 27^th March 2020, in disregard of prevailing travel advisories; and

2.         are admitted for suspected COVID-19; and

3.         have onset of symptoms during such travel within 14 days of returning to Singapore.

AIA Singapore is aligned with the government’s position on this matter, and support efforts to minimise the spread of COVID-19.  This includes discouraging actions which run counter to the government’s containment and mitigation efforts.  Hence with immediate effect, AIA HealthShield Gold Max will not provide cover for insured persons who meet the above criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does coverage for COVID-19 provided by AIA HealthShield Gold Max fit in with the funding for this already provided by the government?

The government is covering the cost of medical care for COVID-19 patients incurred in public healthcare institutions.  Private insurance policies complement this by covering additional expenses not paid for by the government, providing additional support for individuals affected by the virus.  This includes treatment at private hospitals, and pre- or post-hospitalisation expenses at private healthcare providers.

Most of the personal and group health plans in Singapore provide coverage for medical expenses related to COVID-19.  This includes Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) and IP riders – such as AIA HealthShield Gold Max and AIA Max VitalHealth; Group health plans and non-IP health plans.

More details are provided within the info-sheet on private insurance coverage available here: Infosheet: Life Insurance Association of Singapore Insurance Coverage for 2019-nCOVov(19^th February 2020)

On 24^th March 2020, MOH announced measures against Singapore residents and long-term pass holders who disregard travel advisories.  How does this affect my AIA HealthShield Gold Max coverage for COVID-19?

Despite clear advisories to defer all overseas travel, MOH has noted that there are still Singapore residents and long-term pass holders who are travelling abroad.  As the COVID-19 situation overseas is worsening, such travellers risk the health of other Singaporeans and residents when they return.

In light of this, MOH announced on the 24^th March 2020, that Singapore residents or long-term pass holders will be charged at unsubsidised rates for their inpatient stay at public hospitals, if they:

·                 leave Singapore from 27^th March 2020, in disregard of prevailing travel advisories; and

·                 are admitted for suspected COVID-19; and

·                 have onset of symptoms during such travel within 14 days of returning to Singapore.

Singapore residents, both citizens and permanent residents, and long-term pass holders meeting the above criteria will not be able to claim from MediShield Life or Integrated Shield Plans – such as AIA HealthShield Gold Max, for treatments at public or private hospitals.

Will I be able to claim for miscellaneous benefits such as Daily Hospital Incentives if I violate the travel advisory?

No, you will not.  Daily Hospital Incentive is a feature of some IP riders wherein policyholders receive a daily cash benefit if hospitalisation is in a ward class that is lower than their maximum eligibility based on plan type.  For Daily Hospital Incentive to be payable, the hospitalisation itself must be claimable.  As individuals who have contravened a travel advisory will not be allowed to claim if they are hospitalised for suspected COVID-19, the Daily Hospital Incentive will also not be claimable.

Will I be able to claim under my AIA HealthShield Gold Max’s Emergency Overseas (Outside Singapore) Medical Treatment Benefit if I am hospitalised overseas due to COVID-19, having left Singapore from 27^th March 2020 in violation of MOH’s travel advisory?

No.  MOH’s direction is that individuals who leave Singapore in violation of a travel advisory will not be covered under the Emergency Overseas benefit in the event that they are hospitalised overseas for suspected COVID-19.