Medical insurance for Parents

Dear Mr Tan,
Both my parents mum 62 and dad 68 are not insured by any hospital cover. Do you think it is still worthwhile for them at this elderly age to buy hospital cover? my dad is healthy and has some monies in the cpf medisave while my mum has been a housewife and has history of high blood pressure and high cholesteral level.


And if in the event it is worthwhile to consider buying, which type of hospital cover do u think wil suffice? eg most basic cpf medishield or buy from private insurers?


REPLY
Try to enrol them for Medishield (from CPF). It covers most of the cost of hospital care in subsidised wards, i.e. B2 and C. It is suitable for elderly people and the premium is much lower than private Shield. If they cannot be accepted, it is all right to be self-insured. If they need medical attention, go to a subsidised wards.

This is covered in Practical Guide on Financial Planning.