The idea of introducing incentives to encourage healthier behaviours has been considered in past reviews of MediShield Life. With the launch of Healthier SG and the growing emphasis on preventive health, it is now opportune to introduce premium discounts for MediShield Life policyholders to complement these national efforts.

For a start, we have tied the premium discount to health-seeking behaviours such as exercise. In particular, MediShield Life policyholders will be able to redeem premium discounts from Healthpoints earned from activities on the Healthy 365 app or completion of first Health Plan consult under Healthier SG.

This is different from “no-claims discounts” that some insurers offer to their policyholders, which provide discounts to those who do not make claims in the previous policy year. This approach was not adopted to avoid penalising Singaporeans, especially the elderly, for making claims for healthcare episodes that they may inevitably face throughout their lives. It could also discourage Singaporeans from seeking appropriate care, for fear of losing their discounts.