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What began as an outbreak in China at the end of 2019 has now become a global pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic has brought on several shocks – in various degrees – to countries worldwide. Countries globally are experiencing seismic shifts in healthcare, business and social environments.

What staggering insights can we draw from around the world?

• Aviation faces a deep dip, with over 90% of the global fleet grounded.
• Global trade is projected to fall by record 27%.
• Locally, tourist arrivals plunged to 239, 899 in March from about 1.7 million in January.

Without a doubt, the pandemic has tested the capabilities of global healthcare systems to the maximum, bringing to light the flaws of many institutions worldwide. It has brought renewed attention to insurance needs, services and facilities.

Healthcare systems are facing the pressure in unprecedented ways – no in-person visits, limited resources and a demand for technologically-enabled solutions are just some of the new developments. As global pandemics become more likely in our futures, healthcare resources are being shifted to the forefront of human needs in a modern society.

According to Gavi, there are a couple of reasons why this is so. Global travel, increased urbanisation, climate change, increased human-animal interaction and a shortage of health workers all contribute to the greater risks of outbreaks.

As the leading health insurance broker, here at Expat Insurance, we have an experienced team of specialists capable of designing health cover plans for individuals, corporations and families. In unprecedented times, it can pay off to secure your health coverage needs in cases of emergencies.

Expat Health Guide: Care & Coverage

We recognise two key reasons in this climate for expats living and working in Singapore to pay closer attention to their health cover.

Over time, we are seeing higher correlation rates between the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions and the contraction of Covid-19. For instance, the fatality rate for people over 80 with Covid-19 is over 15%. Why is this so? Older people are much more likely to have conditions such as kidney disease, heart disease and lung disease, which effectively lower the strength of their immune systems and ability to fight disease.

As we observe the ripple effects of contracting the coronavirus, we are also noticing an increased curiosity and focus on hospital, medical and specialist insurance plans. Although the government here in Singapore has been absorbing Covid-19 related costs, the fact that infected individuals could be spending up to 30 days in hospitals indicates how expensive medical costs can be. Coronavirus or not, spending up to even 3 days in a hospital ward can rack up a bill – having an insurance plan will help you offset some of these costs.

Another problem we imagine happening is a shortage of services if there is an unbalanced focus on Covid-19 patients. As cases mount, patients with other medical issues unrelated to coronavirus could face a shortage – be it in doctors, nurses or services in healthcare institutions. These situations point to a pressing need for individuals – expats and locals alike – to realign on the type of health cover they have.

Then comes the hard questions – what type of insurance do we need? How necessary are some plans? It can be difficult to navigate in an already saturated market, what more with an uncertain time like a pandemic.

A good first step is to compare insurance plans, secure the basics that will cover you at both general practitioners and hospitals as well as match your financial capabilities. Some types of health insurance plans recommended include:

Critical Illness Insurance

Critical Illness Insurance is a coverage that is necessary for everyone, including expats in Singapore. Many people make the mistake of not getting critical illness insurance simply because they are healthy and physically fine at the given moment in time.

However, just as how pandemics are unprecedented, sudden and unexpected accidents can occur – affecting your loved ones. Safeguard your loved ones from the unpredictable aspects of how certain major ailments can progress with critical illness insurance.

Find out more about our Critical Illness Insurance plan here.

Hospital Insurance Plan

Knowing that you will receive the necessary treatment during a medical emergency can be reassuring. A hospital insurance plan covers your actual expenses due to an illness or accident. It can be doubly frustrating to live in a country with a robust healthcare system and yet not gain access to its services. Getting a hospital insurance plan will protect you through times of uncertainty, like today.

Find out more about our Hospital Insurance Plan here.

A future with more epidemics is one that compels us to rethink our existing health policies and work towards securing a better future for us and our loved ones. Schedule a discussion with us today.

Healthcare Facilities & Services

We may not have realised this at the start, but the pandemic is indirectly affecting marginalised, disadvantaged or vulnerable groups in different ways.

In Singapore, the circuit breaker measures along with certain laws have shed light on some unexpected difficulties. For instance, families aren’t allowed to visit their elderly grandparents or relatives in nursing homes. Patients with other health issues are waiting longer to be seen by doctors. Elderly folks find it hard to move around and the isolation only worsens their mobility and accessibility when they need it. They are also digitally isolated.

In a future where healthcare becomes priority, institutions need to reinvent and innovate facilities for the future – specifically specialised facilities and improved healthcare for the vulnerable in our societies. Technologically-enabled solutions are also necessary to meet these gaps.

Preempting and planning for these improvements may potentially increase healthcare costs. The best way to prepare would be to put in actionable steps and acquire relevant insurance plans for a secure future.

Future of Healthcare Post Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic is bringing to light a lot of issues we have in our current healthcare systems. However, this could be a chance for society to rethink and remodel the ways in which we view healthcare and how we serve societies.

It also is a significant reminder to not take our health or security for granted. Expats and locals in Singapore need to proactively manage adequate hospital, medical and specialist insurance plans for these unprecedented times.

Let us help you navigate these uncertain times. Get in touch with our team.

After what seemed like an eternity, businesses are beginning to resume operations and people are venturing out to coffee shops and retail stores once again.

Easing the circuit breaker has come in the form of phased reopenings and just recently, phase 2 was initiated. With community spread being measurably contained (numbers are dwindling to double or single digits), this reopening gives Singaporeans a chance to adapt to a new normal.

Many of us may be feeling relieved, optimistic even, that we are now able to resume some if not all of our daily activities. However, the possibilities of a resurgence in infections remain high – a phased reopening doesn’t guarantee that the end is near. Going for yoga, eating our favourite hawker meals and catching up with friends are just some of the things we probably have taken for granted prior to the pandemic.

The loosening of circuit breaker measures signals good news for our nation but it is in bad faith to consider that we have won the fight against Covid-19 when it still has the rest of the world in its grips. Until a vaccine is found, the social and economic spheres of our lives will undergo remarkable changes in what we will now identify with as a ‘new normal’. As Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong remarks, “We must all adjust the way we live, work and play, so that we can reduce the spread of the virus, and keep ourselves safe.”

Read PM Lee’s speech on the new normal here.

Expats & Locals Alike | Health Care & Cover

Our social lives may require some readjustments and priorities may have shifted but one thing remains clear – healthcare remains a top essential need. As a leading health insurance broker for globally mobile expats and locals here in Singapore, we recognise that health care and cover have increasingly taken the forefront of discussions. So, what does the future look like, post-pandemic?

Everyone, from vulnerable groups with pre-existing conditions to the elderly, are bound to be more invested in matters surrounding their health insurance in Singapore. We now understand the importance of good health and know never to take it for granted again.

Find out how the pandemic is affecting people’s mental health globally and learn how you can take care of yours here.

Netflix, a streaming powerhouse, had released an episode focusing on the development of the coronavirus disease in its docu series ‘Explained’. According to experts interviewed on the show, the likelihoods of a pandemic occurring in our world are increased in the coming decades. With knowledge that good healthcare is pivotal in the fight against pandemics and the like, the least we can do is to take preventive care towards one’s own health.

This begins with holistic health planning. Nutrition, regular exercise and regular health check-ups can be easy ways to take care of your health. Many chronic diseases and ailments can be prevented early if you adopt healthy eating habits. Good health goes beyond acquiring GP or hospital insurance plans. However, a hospital insurance plan is one that gives you an assurance, a safety net in times of distress.

As it is already, healthcare costs in Singapore and around the world have been rising dramatically – and we can’t guarantee that it will only continue to rise, considerably so, in a post pandemic world. As reassuring as it is to live and work in a country with a sturdy healthcare system and infrastructure, getting a comprehensive hospital insurance plan will ensure that you have a safety net beneath you – in times of emergencies.

Being protected wherever you go is a mindset that will serve us well in the new normal. The times we live in are unpredictable and volatile. Expats in Singapore may find healthcare costs particularly challenging given the new environment and lack of subsidies that citizens get. We want to help you stay protected and insured in the foreseeable future. What type of insurance plans are recommended for starters?

Hospital Surgical Insurance

Hospital surgical insurance plans cover you for expenses incurred while you’re at the hospital. From your choice of hospitals to worldwide coverage, our hospital surgical insurance plans give you a peace of mind.

You may think that the chances of staying in the hospital aren’t very likely or might happen twice or thrice in your younger years, if they were to happen at all. However, we’d encourage you to secure some coverage for yourself before any accidents happen. Give your family and yourself a peace of mind today.

Find out more about our hospital surgical insurance plans here. 

GP and Specialist Insurance

Unlike cultures surrounding family doctors abroad, Singaporeans consult a range of general practitioners for smaller medical issues such as the common flu or stomach aches. Getting GP and Specialist Insurance will enable you access to regular health check-ups with your GP. Over time, records of these check-ups also help you lower premiums on your GP insurance.

Find out more about our GP and Specialist insurance plans here. 

Top-up Coverage

Already have existing healthcare coverage but feeling under-protected? We also offer top-up coverage plans that work in tandem with what you already have by simply upping your accident, annual and lifetime limits.

Find out more about our Top-Up Coverage here. 

Staying Connected

Even though Phase 2 is bringing us glimpses of life before Covid-19, the sobering reality is that social distancing and safety measures are going to be around for some time. During the circuit breaker, we have come to realise that we are much more social creatures than we let ourselves believe.

Being unable to visit our grandparents, friends and even run simple errands definitely takes a toll on our mental health. Its impact on communities is something we don’t see presented on media everyday – families are living apart in the case of essential frontliners like nurses and caregivers feeling a heavier emotional burden.

How we connect and build relationships have also changed dramatically – video conferencing is the new friday night hangout. PM Lee notes this change, explaining that “It will no longer be so easy to take quick weekend trips to Bangkok or Hong Kong on a budget flight.” With health checks and quarantine becoming the norm, staying connected in a pandemic looks different for all of us.

An Economic Shift

A lot of how we live our lives play directly into the health of the economy. As sectors like entertainment, travel and tourism face significant economic losses due to decreased global and local movement, it is hard to imagine what new opportunities will come by and what businesses will close indefinitely.

As countries strive to become more self-reliant, businesses now need to remodel, pivot and create new opportunities in ways that can save both the company and its employees. Likewise, an increase in demand is seen in the diversification of goods and services as well as mediums in which they operate. One such example is the provision of digital marketing grants by the government to help businesses transform their model during the pandemic.

High numbers of job losses and shutting down of businesses signal a need for expat communities in Singapore to manage their health cover. If you’ve been depending on employee health insurance, it could be time to revisit your policies. It is crucially important for expats of all nationalities in Singapore to be protected with adequate health cover.

Adapting To A Post Covid-19 World

Life, as we know it, post Covid-19 will never be the same. As we spend months in isolation, our habits are changing and so will the economy, the ways in which we connect and the prevalence for quality healthcare.

We want you to be well-informed and be able to make the right decisions when it comes down to protecting what matters to you. A post pandemic world can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. It should hardly take a pandemic to recognise the importance of protecting what is important to you and your family – health, financial stability and mental well-being.

When you are able to protect your loved ones, you will also be able to enjoy the other joys of life, with a peace of mind. Let us help you figure out your health – be it hospital, GP or critical illness – insurance plans. Schedule a consultation with our experienced team today.

Your healthcare needs matter. Wherever you may be, a comprehensive health and wellness plan will greatly benefit you in the long run. With over 10 years in the business of designing expat health insurance plans – for both businesses and individuals – the Expat Insurance team in Singapore is committed to serving your most pressing needs in healthcare. 

By shedding light on some of the contributing factors behind healthcare issues, we hope to increase awareness and along with it, inspire action to develop and strengthen a promising wellness program that includes insurance, mental positivity and lifelong habits among individuals in Singapore. One such area is in the habit of eating healthy and actively nurturing nutrition in diet. 

Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) and cardiovascular problems are leading causes of deaths in Singapore. More often than not, poor eating habits are a strong factor in the culmination of these chronic diseases. As these diseases are lifelong conditions, afflicted persons are not spared from having to take medications and go for doctor appointments regularly. However, preventive measures in the form of nutrition can delay the onset of any such diseases.

Wellness | Is It Only Insurance in Singapore?

What does a holistic approach to healthcare management look like? 

Understanding what contributes to good health will help us ensure overall well-being. Although the healthcare system in Singapore is one of the best globally, the costs incurred for a single outpatient visit can be incrementally high. Apart from gaining health insurance, looking at your background, history and current lifestyle habits can help expats like yourself develop a comprehensive health management plan. Healthcare – not just for expats, but all individuals – should go beyond health insurance coverage in Singapore. Nutrition, environment, support systems and mental care all play a role. 

The different types of expat health cover in Singapore. Do you have them? Check here. 

What is good nutrition?

The importance of good health is often forgotten, until diagnosed with a disease or a chronic illness. Good health can centre your physical and mental well-being, grounding you to be a better version of yourself as you pursue your life’s goals. Managing chronic illnesses can make going about your everyday life difficult. Often, good nutrition is the starting point to developing good health. 

What you choose to eat everyday affects your health over time. Nutrition refers to the process of eating foods that are necessary to support and strengthen growth and development in humans. Nutrients in the form of carbohydrates, fats, fibre, minerals, proteins and vitamins are important to take in for long-term good health. The right combination of these nutrients can help you maintain metabolism, higher energy levels and a stronger immune system – all of which are crucial in preventing and fighting diseases. 

Expats and locals alike can learn how to manage a nutritious diet by researching online. With the wide variety of tools and resources available, you don’t necessarily need a nutritionist for the most basic of health management needs. As health insurance advocates, we recommend that expats also practice basic nutrition habits in their diets. Often, eating a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables is recommended. Likewise, choosing foods that are lower in saturated fats, salt and sugar is a basic requirement for a healthy everyday diet.

How Can Expatriates Improve Nutrition? | Going Beyond Insurance

You may be thinking – I already have expat health cover, why does this concern me? 

Good health begins with preventive measures. Heard of the saying – ‘Prevention is better than cure’? It is true in every sense of the word. Proper nutritional care can help you save on expat insurance premium costs and medical bills in Singapore. More than food, lifestyle habits such as smoking, regular exercise and self-care are equally important constituents to a healthier you. Selective dieting, fad diets and fasting are hardly healthy ways to manage overall health. 

Quitting smoking can help you live healthier. Find out how you can manage the habit and what types of expat health insurance you may need here. 

How can healthy eating habits prevent and slow down disease?

Eating healthy can be hard, especially when we are surrounded by fast food and are constantly on a deadline. Oftentimes, we find ourselves avoiding nutrition planning because it is either too time consuming, expensive or difficult to do. The good news is – it does not have to be expensive or difficult to integrate into our lives. 

Good nutrition can induce a myriad of benefits into our lives – weight management, stronger immunity, lowered risk of chronic illnesses as well as an overall positive physiological and mental well-being. Regular exercise and a balanced serving of fruits and vegetables are two simple ways you can work towards a healthier lifestyle – effectively serving you well in lower expat health cover premiums. 

Here are some easy healthy eating basics:

1. Keep to the 5 a day recommendation: Eat at least 5 portions of fruits and vegetables a day. 
2. Hydrate with at least 6 to 8 glasses of water every day.
3. Eat a heavier breakfast so that you can reduce snacking in between meals.
4. Incorporate some exercise into your daily routine. 
5. Substitute snacks with fruits. Get inventive with smoothies or juices. 

Managing these habits as an expat in Singapore doesn’t have to be a lonely effort. Gather your friends and motivate each other to keep healthy. Sometimes, even with a balanced diet, strong nutrition habits and healthy lifestyle habits, it can be hard to determine how or why some of us fall sick. In cases like these, making sure you have the adequate health insurance required for expats in Singapore is essential. On top of general expat health insurance, it can be useful to also acquire critical illness insurance and an outpatient insurance plan in Singapore for more coverage.

Holistic Wellness: Lower Expat Health Insurance Costs Singapore

Here at Expat Insurance, we want to encourage a system whereby individuals – both expats and locals – can take greater ownership over their health and well-being. Wellness is not a guarantee in any of our lives and it is on us all to live a healthy life so that we can better enjoy the company of our loved ones without fear of falling ill. 

Eating well and practising food nutrition habits are key components to living better. That said, we encourage expats in Singapore to acquire health cover in the form of insurance. It is important to note that employee based medical insurance alone may not be sufficient to cover you in times of emergencies. Different companies take on varying levels of coverage. Proper care and prevention will help expats like yourself live worry-free and stable lives in Singapore, with the assurance that your health insurance is in the right hands. 

Find out if you have enough Life Insurance here in Singapore. 

Our experienced team works alongside corporations and individuals to secure comprehensive and specific medical insurance plans to suit a variety of needs. More than anything, your expat health cover with us will act as a safety net, kicking in when you need it. 

To schedule a consultation with us, contact us here.