NTUC Income's Enhanced IncomeShield plans are affordable Integrated Shield Plan options that offer fairly average coverage. Still, they may be great options for those concerned about expensive health insurance premiums and families who are looking to save on their newborn's health coverage. However, individuals who are looking for comprehensive plans may find a better match with other insurers. Additionally, Income's riders are fairly uncompetitive offering only family accommodation benefits in addition to the typical 50% coinsurance coverage.

Table of Contents

• Income Enhanced IncomeShield: What You Should Know
  • Income Enhanced IncomeShield Standard Plan
  • Income Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage Plan
  • Income Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred
  • Income Enhanced IncomeShield Riders
• Policy Exclusions
• Contact & Claims Info
• Income Enhanced IncomeShield Cost & Features

Income IncomeShield Plan Highlights

If you are looking for an affordable public hospital plan, Income's Enhanced IncomeShield plans may deliver. There are a total of 3 plans: Income Basic for B1 wards, Advantage for A wards and Preferred for private hospitals. Its premiums generally range from 10-20% below average, with its Standard plan costing 20-50% below the Standard plan average and the Preferred plan costing 10-20% above average. Additionally, while Income's Deluxe Care rider is generally uncompetitive, Income's Classic rider is one of the most affordable on the market, making it possible to end up with a affordable plan/rider package.

While IncomeShield's premiums are attractive, its coverage is around the average for IPs and will appeal mostly to healthy individuals looking for cheap medical insurance plans. Furthermore, thanks to its current promotion of free newborn coverage, new families will also find peace of mind with Income, as their infant will have full medical coverage while they're at their most vulnerable. In addition to getting full coverage for the treatments listed below, customers will also receive prosthesis (artificial limbs) benefits, final expense benefits and emergency overseas treatment coverage. However, Income will not benefit those who want above average coverage for things such as critical illnesses or psychiatric treatment. Thus, if you have extra cash to spare and want an IP that focuses on maximising benefits, you should consider other insurers.

Fully Covered Treatments:

Income Enhanced IncomeShield Basic Plan

Income's IncomeShield Basic plan is a B1 Ward plan that can appeal to budget-conscious older consumers. Its premiums are 10-15% cheaper compared to its B1 ward peers, with some of the cheapest prices on the market for individuals 55 years old or older. You will receive full coverage for hospitalisation, cancer, accidental dental and pregnancy complications, in addition to a S$3,000 final expense benefit and S$6,000 prosthesis benefit. However, the annual limit of S$250,000 is S$50,000 below average for B1 ward plans and the pre and post-hospitalisation coverage is also below average at 90 days each.

If you are looking for an affordable B1 ward plan, you'll find it with the Basic plan. However, due to the basic plan's below average coverage, those looking for comprehensive coverage will fare better with other insurers such as Prudential or Great Eastern.

Income Enhanced IncomeShield Advantage Plan

Those looking for an affordable A ward plan may find value in Income's Advantage plan. It costs 15% below average with premiums ranging from S$83 for 31-year olds to S$1,529 for 75-year olds. There is full coverage for hospitalisation, surgery, cancer and post-mastectomy breast reconstruction and a S$6,000 prosthesis (artificial limb) benefit. However, its annual limit of S$500,000 and 100 days of pre and post-hospitalisation benefits are below average for A ward plans.

If you are looking for an affordable ward A plan and would also like coverage for prosthesis (a hard to find benefit with IPs), the Advantage plan could be a good fit. Otherwise, its below average coverage may dissuade individuals who want comprehensive coverage from considering this plan. Instead, consumers may consider Great Eastern. or Prudential's Class A ward plans as higher value alternatives.

Income Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred

NTUC Income's Enhanced IncomeShield Preferred may have a hard time attracting consumers with its average prices and lackluster coverage. With its premiums ranging from S$286 for 31-year olds to S$3,539 for 75-year olds, the Preferred plan costs 10-25% above average. However, its S$1,500,000 annual limit is around the private hospital plan average and its 100 days of pre and post-hospitalisation benefits is significantly below the private industry average of 150 and 273 days, respectively. There is 100% coverage for hospitalisation, surgery, cancer and post-mastectomy breast reconstruction, but similar to the other IncomeShield plans, miscellaneous benefits such as psychiatric treatment and final expense benefits are below average.

With other private IPs offering both better coverage and better prices, we wouldn't recommend this plan to anyone who doesn't require NTUC Income's prosthesis benefit. For instance, Great Eastern is both cheaper and has a higher annual limit, while Aviva offers a plethora of family-oriented and critical illness benefits.

Income Enhanced IncomeShield Riders

IncomeShield offers 2 riders, both of which cost well below average and are affordable enough for the majority of consumers to add them to their chosen IncomeShield plan. Each rider has 3 tiers of coverage, which are complementary to their respective base plans. With the Deluxe Care rider, you will only need to pay 5% of your co-insurance for inpatient hospital bills. With the Classic Care rider, you will only pay 10% of the claimable amount for Specialist bill expenses. The main drawback for these riders is that they are far from comprehensive and the Deluxe Care rider costs above average. The Classic Care rider is cheaper, but because of its limitations, it may not be a good fit for everyone. Thus, those who are hoping to get a plethora of additional benefits or high value from their riders may fare better with other insurers.

Policy Exclusions

IncomeShield Plans exclude coverage for non-complicated pregnancies, self-inflicted injuries or attempted suicide, cosmetic surgery, STD's, illnesses related to drug or alcohol abuse, vaccinations and alternative or complementary treatments. Additionally, there is no coverage for private nursing or nursing home services, rest cures, hospice care, home or outpatient care and physical rehabilitation. However, you should note that your MediShield Life policy may already be covering some of these exclusions.

In respect to the complimentary health coverage for infants, only the main plan is free. You are still responsible for paying for your infant's Medishield Life premiums as well as any of Income's riders. Furthermore, this plan is available for Singaporean citizens and permanent residents only.

Claims & Contact Information

You can submit your hospitalisation claim through electronic submission if you received treatment at a medical institution that is participating in the MediShield Life Scheme. You should bring your Medical Claims Authorisation Form, Incomeshield Letter of Guarantee, Hospital's Admission Authorisation Form and other forms as required to the hospital to make sure your claim is processed quickly. For pre and post-hospitalisation benefits, you should fill out the outpatient claim form (linked below) and drop it off or mail to your insurance advisor, Income's claim service center or at any Income branch.

Income Enhanced IncomeShield Cost and Features

Get in Touch

Get in Touch

Getting the right supplemental health plan can mean peace of mind when serious illness or accidents strike. With healthcare and insurance premiums rising, it is important to look not only at your current and future medical needs, but also if you'll be able to afford supplemental coverage. Below, we have summarised Income's premiums and benefits, and if you'd like to compare it to the other IPs on the market, you can read our guide to our top Integrated Shield Plan picks.

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