When CareShield Life was launched, older Singaporeans with less severe disability were allowed to join as a time-limited concession, so that more seniors could enrol in and benefit from CareShield Life.

However, this also meant that premiums for all older Singaporeans had to be priced higher, to account for the possibility that those with milder forms of disability were more likely to join the scheme. 

This concession period lasted 4 years, over twice as long as what MOH had announced when the concession was rolled out. In this time, application rates have also decreased over time.

Thus, the CareShield Life Council views that this is an appropriate juncture to reinstate the underwriting criteria, which will moderate the extent of premium increases for all older policyholders, keeping the scheme fair and sustainable.