What kinds of insurance coverage should I be getting for my 55 y/o mother?

If you are looking on a budget end. Atop personal accident, IP medishield and eldershield coverage, you may also look into gender specific term coverage which includes biannial medical screenings too.

Since your concern is on her medical expenses, your first priority would be to upgrade her hospitalisation shield plan to a maximum % coverage and ward class that your budget permits. The cost of the plan typically increases with age and health care inflation, so do take note on this. Though downgrading to a lower ward class is possible without any health underwriting required.

But of course, if your mum has any existing medical condition, DO NOT switch to a different insurance company if the existing company provide coverage for that condition. Meaning, the current plan was bought when your mum was in 100% health. This is because insurance company typically do not cover for pre-existing condition for new application.

The Basic Eldershield is another coverage you could get for your mum, it provides monthly payout of $300/400 for severe disability for upto 5/6years. She should already have this coverage unless she opt out of the program in the past. She can further enhance the coverage with Eldershield Supplement from NTUC, Aviva or Great Eastern to increase the monthly payout and lifetime payout in the event of severe disability. The government allows a limit of $600 per year to be use from medisave for this upgrade.