Annual premium increase will be about $38 on average, says MOH

For additional premium support, if they are eligible. These support measures will mean that annual premium rises from 2026 to 2030 will be moderated to about $38 on average, and no more than $75, MOH said.

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To claim from CareShield Life, one needs to be assessed to have severe disability, which means being unable to perform at least three out of six activities of daily living (ADLs) - washing, toileting, dressing, feeding, transferring and mobility. There will be no change to this eligibility criterion for claiming payouts.

The council told the media it had considered expanding the eligibility criteria to allow those with less severe disability, such as an inability to perform two ADLs, to qualify for payouts. But it decided against recommending this because it would significantly increase premiums for all policyholders.

Those who wish to have more coverage beyond the recommended enhancements can buy supplements offered by private insurers to boost their plans, it said.

Furthermore, from 2026, CareShield Life will no longer accept older individuals with mild and moderate disabilities.