Monday, July 7, 2008

Avoid private Shield plan

Dear Mr. Tan,
I am currently under a private Shield program with Plus Rider (the premium has gone up quite a lot as compare to last year) with one exclusion condition. I am also cover under my company's hospitalisation scheme. Do you think I should downgrade to Assist Rider with a lower premium but have to co-pay of up to $2,000 - or should I move back completely to Medishield.

REPLY
It is better to move back completely to Medishield. there is no need to pay a lot of premium for a private Shield plan, when you are covered by your employer.

If you are healthy when you retire, you can upgrade to a private Shield plan at that time. If you are not healthy, you can stay on Medishield. For older people, Medishield is quite satisfactory. Private Shield is very costly.