A Guide to Mental Health Insurance in Singapore

This was originally posted on Planner Bee.

Mental well-being is starting to get much-deserved attention in Singapore, especially after a spike in suicide rates during the peak of Covid-19. With more attention on mental health, individuals have also started seeking help in this area.

However, the stigma surrounding mental health conditions continues to be a concern for some. To address that, Singapore’s government launched the National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy in 2023.

This was done with the objective of creating an effective mental health ecosystem that has accessible and good quality clinical care, as well as a supportive community where people can seek help early without stigma and be readily supported for their recovery.

The government has also launched MindSG, which consists of a suite of self-care tools and resources to help citizens better understand and manage their mental health.

Along with the attention on mental health comes mental health insurance, with private insurers stepping up to cover treatment and other related costs. In this piece, we will look more into what are considered mental disorders and what causes them, the insurance options available, and where to seek help.

What are mental illnesses?

Mental health concerns are not uncommon for many people. But when they cause frequent stress and affect a person’s ability to function, they cross the line to become mental disorders.

According to the World Health Organisation, a mental disorder is “characterised by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behaviour.” Mental disorders include conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), schizophrenia and more.

According to the 2022 National Population Health Survey, younger adults aged 18 to 29 years in Singapore had the highest proportion of poor mental health at 25.3%, followed by 19.4% in the 30 to 39 years age group.

Mental illnesses are believed to be caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Other than inherited traits and exposures before birth, a person’s environment and lifestyle also play a part in their mental well-being.

Factors such as a stressful lifestyle, exhausting work schedules, traumatic experiences, lack of healthy social relationships, history of abuse or neglect, and ongoing chronic illnesses can all affect someone’s mental well-being. If they do not seek help in time, it can develop into a mental disorder.

Where to seek help in Singapore?

With a growing spotlight on mental well-being, there have also been more helplines, community networks, counselling services, and therapy services available for people in Singapore. You can check out the list of 30 SupportGoWhere’s mental services for more information on what is available for you.

You can also visit a General Practitioner (GP) clinic or polyclinic for an initial assessment if you suspect that you are suffering from a mental illness. They may be able to provide treatment or assist with a referral letter to the Institute of Mental Help if you require specialist help.

Read more: How to Get Support for Your Mental Health in Singapore

What is mental health insurance?

Treatment for mental health can be a long journey and often does not come cheap. Mental health insurance in Singapore is designed to offer a payout when a person is diagnosed with a mental disorder and/or help cover the costs associated with mental health treatments and therapies.

Typically, mental health insurance covers all or some of these treatments:

• Inpatient treatment: Hospital stays for severe mental health conditions that require hospitalisation.
• Outpatient consultations: Visits to psychiatrists, psychologists, or therapists for mental conditions such as depression and anxiety.
• Medication: Prescription drugs that are required for managing mental health conditions.

• Therapeutic services: Includes various forms of therapy such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), psychotherapy, and counselling.

Mental health insurance in Singapore

While options for mental health insurance are not as wide as regular medical insurance, Singapore’s private insurers are stepping up with their offerings.

SNACK Self Care Pack

Offered by Income, SNACK Self Care Pack is a simple, no-frills insurance coverage for your mental well-being. You can purchase this policy if you are a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident aged between 18 to 61. For S$9.90 a month, you will receive psychiatric consultation and psychotherapy coverage.

Psychiatric consultation coverage under SNACK Self Care allows for monthly claims of up to S$200, capped at 50% per receipt. Psychotherapy coverage allows claims of up to S$500 per month.

Under this policy, psychotherapy is a process of treating psychological distress or mental health disorders, which includes Art Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Re-processing (EMDR), Family and Systemic Psychotherapy, Schema Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Supportive Therapy.

This insurance focuses mainly on subsidising and reimbursing mental disorder treatment costs to make treatment more accessible for people who need it.

AIA Beyond Critical Care

AIA Beyond Critical Care insurance offers a payout should an individual be diagnosed with a mental disorder.

The policy covers five mental illnesses: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Tourette Syndrome (up to age 21). It pays a lump sum of 20% of the base plan coverage amount upon diagnosis.

As this is a critical illness (CI) plan, it also covers 43 major stage critical illnesses and five re-diagnosed or recurred critical illnesses, along with death and compassionate benefits. Unlike the SNACK Self Care Pack, this insurance does not cover any mental illness treatment cost.

This policy is also much more expensive due to its comprehensive CI coverage. For a non-smoker aged 30 with a coverage amount of S$100,000 with early CI coverage and premium waiver rider, it will cost a person S$3,411 annually, compared to SNACK’s S$118.80.

However, should the insured be diagnosed with one of the five covered mental disorders, there will be a S$20,000 payout from AIA, which SNACK does not offer.

Star Secure Pro

Income Insurance’s Star Secure Pro is a whole-life protection plan with protection benefits against death, total and permanent disability, and coverage against future unknown diseases with optional riders.

By supplementing the plan with an Advanced Life Accelerator rider, you gain access to Early Life Accelerator rider, which pays out 30% of the rider’s coverage upon diagnosis of a mental illness. This policy covers the same five mental illnesses as AIA’s plan.

For a non-smoker aged 30 with a coverage amount of S$100,000 along with the two above riders, it will cost him S$3,303.90 annually, compared to AIA’s S$3,411. This plan will pay out S$20,100 upon diagnosis of one of the five covered mental illnesses.

There are also group insurance plans that employers can purchase for their employees, such as Chubb’s Work from Home Insurance, which covers up to S$500 per employee on mental health support.

How else can I seek financial help for mental health?

Right now, Singaporeans who require psychiatric treatments can receive subsidies of up to 80% of their bills at public healthcare institutions.

MediSave can be used for inpatient psychiatric treatment, up to a withdrawal limit of S$150 per day and a maximum of S$5,000 a year.

For outpatient treatment, Medisave can be used for up to S$500 a year for schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorders, anxiety, and dementia under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP). This is subject to a 15% co-payment by the patient.

Integrated shield plans (ISPs) that cover hospitalisation for psychiatric treatments can also include post-hospitalisation psychiatric treatments after being discharged from the hospital.

It is best to check with your financial planner on what is covered by your plans, and if the need arises, to supplement them with other policies that offer better coverage for your needs. If you are confused about what ISPs are available to support your mental health journey, feel free to come talk to us at [email protected]!