Singapore insurers expand coverage for COVID-19 patients

The Life Insurance Association, Singapore (LIA Singapore) and General Insurance Association of Singapore (GIA Singapore) have expanded coverage for COVID-19 patients, as more Singaporeans continue to recover from the disease.

According to a joint statement by the industry bodies, insurers will continue to cover patients admitted to a community care facility (CCF) or community recovery facility (CRF) for up to 14 days after they are transferred from a hospital. This, the associations said, takes immediate effect and will last until the closure of the last CCF or CRF in Singapore. Benefits are subject to the existing policy terms and conditions of the respective insurers.

CCFs and CRFs are facilities, such as the Changi Exhibition Centre and Singapore Armed Forces camps, that have been repurposed to supplement hospitals’ capacity in treating COVID-19 patients. CCFs are for patients that are deemed lower-risk and exhibit mild symptoms, while CRFs house patients that have recovered from acute illnesses and are clinically stable.

Outpatient telemedicine claims will also be covered, with immediate effect, the announcement said. However, claims for daily hospital cash benefit by individuals who have violated government travel advisories will not be honoured.

“These are concerted efforts by insurers to provide additional support for policyholders amid the COVID-19 pandemic and especially in light of Singapore’s extension of the circuit breaker period June 01,” the statement said.

Individual policyholders were advised to seek information on coverage benefits provided by their policies from their financial advisor, insurance broker, or insurer through digital, email, and telephone channels to avoid face-to-face contact. Employers with group policies were also advised to engage their insurers about their specific corporate coverage.