How to claim from your hospital insurance (shield plan)

Note: This first appeared in the monthly newsletter (Pinnacle Wealth series) to my clients. 

(1) How/Where should I submit my claim?

For Singaporean & Permanent Residence, you are advised to do it via electronic filing, commonly known as E-File. You may request the admission office of the hospital you’re admitted in to do the electronic filing. This process only facilitates a direct billing to your insurer. It must not be mistaken as an approval of the admission claims.

For Foreigners, unless your health insurer provides a direct billing facility, you’re required to pay the bill on your own and, subsequently submit the claim for reimbursement.

(2) How may I request for a Letter of Guarantee if the hospital requires one?

Most Insurers provides electronic Letter of Guarantee, kindly speak with the hospital admission officer and they shall check and advise you on this. Most insurer works directly with hospitals for eLOG issuance. Please be aware that eLOG is by no means a claimsubmission or approval. It is simply a letter to reduce the upfront cash deposit by patients during admission and/or surgeries.

(3) Who should I submit my claim first?

While MOH FAQs recommends that you claimfrom your employer benefit insurance first before your ISP personal medical plans, based on our experience, e-filing under your ISP first often provides a seamless claim process.

(4) When should I submit my claim?

Upon discharge from the hospital. For day pre & post hospitalisation treatment or day surgeries, you can submit the claim after the procedure is done. However, it is best to do it within 3 months.

(5) What documents do I need to keep/submit?

Minimally, you should submit/keep the following documents:

  • Discharge Summary Letter
  • Hospital/Clinic’s Invoices & receipts
  • Duly signed Claim Form, if any
  • Duly signed Doctor Report, if any

Lastly, if you hold multiple health insurance policies, do note that:

  • You may claim from multiple policies as long as the total amount of reimbursement across all insurers shall not exceed total bill paid.
  • In the event there is any overlapping claimreimbursement across insurer, the insurer with first payor status shall reimburse the insurer with last payor status.
  • Medishield Life, Integrated Shield Plan reserve the last payor status, while company health insurance has the first payor status.

If you’re unsure about your entitlement/insurance benefit, do reach out to me via whatsapp/email.

Important: The information and opinions in this article are for general information purposes only. They should not be relied on as professional financial advice. Readers should seek unbiased financial advice that is customised to their specific financial objectives, situations & needs. This advertisement or publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Published By:

Lim Zhiwen Yvonne

I believe that “Worrying is not planning and Hope is not a good strategy”, and that the purpose of Financial Planning is to allow us to lead fulfilling lives while being financially wise.

As such, my role as a Certified Financial Planner CFP® is to help my clients build those sound financial strategies and design action plans that put them on track to their financial goals so that they can live the best possible life for themselves.

This is done via a systematic approach of ongoing cash flow management & asset allocation, as well as investment management, estate planning, and tax optimization.

I also ascertain that I stay up-to-date with industry trends and policies changes to ensure that my clients benefit from the latest strategies and opportunities available.

Over the years, I have developed a specialty in comprehensive financial planning for busy legal professionals & educators. I also particularly like assisting working mothers & young families to achieve their long term financial goals. Working with one of the largest financial advisory (FA) firm in Singapore also frees me from product pressures and allows me to only recommend solutions that suit my client’s needs. And client’s interest, is always the core of my FA business.

Being a wealth planner is my dream career and this is what I hope to do for a long time.

Other than financial planning & investment, I love to travel, read, bake and I am an adrenaline enthusiast. I am most looking forward to the day my children join me on my adventures.

 

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