2026 Outlook

What's next for healthcare and the top stories of 2025

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In 2026, Singapore is projected to join other countries such as Japan and South Korea in becoming a super-aged society, where at least 21 per cent of the population are aged 65 or older. LIANHE ZAOBAO FILE PHOTO

The changes are aimed at addressing rising insurance premiums and private healthcare costs.

They come on the back of six private insurers increasing premiums for most IPs or riders in 2025, citing pressures from rising claims, medical inflation and expanded benefits.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) estimates that premiums for the new riders will be about 30 per cent lower than those of existing ones with maximum coverage.

Only two of the 28 currently available plans can continue to be sold to new policyholders from April.

From Jan 1, national long-term care insurance scheme CareShield Life will offer higher monthly cash payouts to help those with severe disabilities meet the rising costs of long-term care.

The monthly payouts will grow at a rate of 4 per cent a year, compared with 2 per cent previously.

While premiums for the scheme will rise, the Government said it will provide an additional $570 million in premium support over the next five years to mitigate the impact of these hikes on policyholders.

In order to keep premiums in check, older individuals with mild and moderate disabilities can no longer opt in to the scheme from 2026.

Introduced in 2020 to replace ElderShield, CareShield Life provides lifelong monthly payouts for severe disability.

As part of preventive care initiative Healthier SG, general practitioners (GPs) will start to manage mild to moderate cases of anxiety and depression in the community from 2026.

This means that social service agencies can refer patients determined to have moderate mental health needs to a GP, rather than the Institute of Mental Health.