Many people in Singapore overlook vision care when planning their health coverage. However, regular eye check-ups and treatments can be costly without proper insurance. Understanding how different health plans and schemes cover eye care can help you manage these expenses wisely.

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MediShield Life and Vision Care

MediShield Life, Singapore’s basic health insurance scheme, offers universal coverage to all citizens and permanent residents. However, its primary focus is on large hospital bills and selected costly outpatient treatments, such as dialysis and chemotherapy. 

Routine vision care services, including regular eye examinations, prescription glasses, and contact lenses, are generally not covered under MediShield Life. Coverage for eye-related conditions is typically limited to severe medical issues requiring hospitalization or surgery, such as cataract operations.

MediSave: Using Personal Savings for Eye Care

MediSave, a national medical savings scheme, allows Singaporeans to use their accumulated funds for specific medical expenses. For vision care, MediSave can be utilized for certain surgical procedures, including cataract surgeries. 

Patients can claim up to S$2,450 per eye for such procedures, helping to alleviate out-of-pocket costs. However, routine eye care services, such as standard eye examinations and corrective eyewear, are not eligible for MediSave claims. 

Source: My Eye Specialist

Private Health Insurance and Vision Coverage

Due to the limitations of MediShield Life and MediSave for routine vision care, many people opt for private health insurance plans for better coverage. While most standard private health insurance policies don’t include vision care, some insurers offer additional riders or standalone vision plans. 

These plans can cover services like eye exams, prescription glasses, and contact lenses. Coverage and costs vary, so it’s important to review the details to ensure the plan suits your vision care needs.

Employer-Provided Vision Benefits

A lot of employers in Singapore offer health benefits that may include vision care coverage. These benefits typically cover routine eye exams and provide subsidies for prescription glasses or contact lenses. Employees should review their employment contracts or consult their HR department to understand the specific vision care benefits available to them.