It started with a hospital bill.
A mid-level employee was admitted over the weekend for emergency surgery. The total cost? $12,000.
HR was caught off guard — the staff had assumed she was covered under company insurance. But there was no Group Hospitalisation Insurance (GHS) in place.
And just like that, a single incident exposed a weak link in the company’s benefits policy. Many companies in Singapore mistakenly believe their employees are “already covered”. The truth is more nuanced.
Each group — Singaporeans/PRs, S Pass & Work Permit holders, and Employment Pass (EP) holders — comes with different entitlements and insurance limitations. GHS remains the only consistent, company-wide safety net that protects all.
Singaporeans & PRs: Protected, But Still Exposed
What they have:
- MediShield Life (basic compulsory scheme)
- 70% of locals also have an Integrated Shield Plan (IP), which allows access to Class A/B1 or private hospitals
The gaps:
- MediShield Life only covers public hospital subsidised wards (B2/C) — private hospital care is not covered
- Integrated Shield Plans often come with limits, co-payments, and no panel GPs or specialists unless upgraded
- Riders to cover co-pays are optional, and many choose not to add them due to cost
How GHS helps:
- Provides corporate-level access to private hospitals, often with broader limits
- Includes panel GP visits and specialist consultations, which IPs don’t cover
- Offers pre/post-hospitalisation coverage, often excluded or limited in IPs
GHS isn’t redundant — it complements existing cover and fills major outpatient & workflow gaps.
S Pass & Work Permit Holders: FWMI Coverage Is Basic
What they have:
- Employers are required to purchase Foreign Worker Medical Insurance (FWMI) — minimum $60,000 per year, for inpatient hospitalisation only
The gaps:
- No outpatient GP or specialist coverage
- No pre- or post-hospitalisation coverage
- Some FWMI plans also have sub-limits (e.g., per illness or treatment type)
- Claims are often paid to employers, not workers — causing transparency and trust issues
How GHS helps:
- Adds outpatient panel care and specialist referrals
- Covers consultations and diagnostics tied to a hospital admission
- Allows HR to streamline claims with one insurer, and often cashless panels
For Work Pass holders, GHS means better access, faster care, and less HR admin mess.
Employment Pass (EP) Holders: Falling Through the Cracks
What they have:
- No compulsory insurance from MOM
- Not eligible for MediShield Life or Integrated Shield Plans
- Many are unaware they are completely uninsured
The gaps:
- Hospitalisation costs must be paid entirely out-of-pocket
- No outpatient support
- Prone to delayed treatment or financial hardship if hospitalised
How GHS helps:
- Provides the only structured coverage for this group
- Covers hospitalisation, day surgery, and follow-ups
- Offers outpatient and specialist access via corporate panels
- Shows the company is forward-thinking and cares about its professional hires
Without GHS, EP holders are financially exposed — and companies are reputationally at risk.
GHS Goes Beyond Hospitalisation
Modern group hospitalisation insurance plans don’t just cover big events — they also include:
- Panel GP networks for regular visits
- Outpatient specialist referrals (even without hospitalisation)
- Pre- and post-hospitalisation coverage, such as diagnostics and follow-ups
- Optional riders for dental, mental health, and even TCM
When HR views GHS as a cost, they miss the bigger value: stability, trust, and a benefit that scales across all staff types.
Summary: Who Needs What — and Where GHS Fits
| Employee Type | Existing Coverage | Key Gaps | What GHS Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singaporeans/PR | MediShield Life + IP | No outpatient, limits on private care | Private hospital cover, GP/specialists |
| S Pass/WP | FWMI (inpatient only) | No outpatient, no pre/post hospital | OP, specialist care, top-ups |
| EP Holders | None | Everything | Hospital, outpatient, structured support |
Not sure if your staff are truly protected?
Let us walk you through a simple coverage map by employee type — and how GHS can close the right gaps.