From mandatory S Pass medical insurance to CPF-linked Integrated Shield Plans your work status in Singapore doesn’t just shape your career; it also determines your insurance needs. Whether you’re here on an S Pass, EP, ONE Pass, or have secured PR status, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) sets certain rules, but those requirements are only the starting point. From basic employer-provided medical cover to CPF-linked Integrated Shield Plans, each pass comes with its own set of benefits and blind spots. Knowing where those blind spots are, and how to close them, matters if you want real protection for yourself, your family, and even your business.
We updated this guide in June 2026 to reflect the latest MOM rules, including the 2026 Employment Pass salary thresholds and the stronger medical insurance requirements that took effect in July 2025.
S Pass medical insurance and Work Permit rules
If you’re on an S Pass or Work Permit, your employer must provide medical insurance with at least S$60,000 of coverage per year for inpatient care and day surgery. This has been the rule since 1 July 2023, and your employer cannot pass the cost of this insurance to you.
Since 1 July 2025, the rules became stronger again. Insurers now follow a standardised list of allowable exclusions, premiums are age-differentiated, and insurers must reimburse hospitals directly. In practice, this means fewer surprise rejections and less upfront cash needed when a worker is hospitalised.
But the mandatory cover still only applies to hospitalisation and day surgery. It does not include outpatient treatment, dental care, maternity services, or your dependants.
Because of these gaps, many holders supplement with their own insurance:
- Personal health plans that cover outpatient and specialist care
- Critical illness or accident policies
- Coverage for dependants, especially if your employer’s plan excludes them
Without these add-ons, you’re protected only at the bare minimum. Employer insurance may meet MOM’s legal standard, but upgrading helps make sure you won’t be left with unexpected bills or uncovered family members when you need care the most.
Read more: Who Qualifies as a Dependent in Health Insurance?
For employers: our Health Insurance for Foreign Workers page explains your obligations in plain language.
Employment Pass (EP) holders
If you’re on an Employment Pass, your employer isn’t legally required by MOM to provide medical insurance. Many companies offer group health coverage, but benefits vary widely.
The EP bar also moved in 2026. New applicants need a fixed monthly salary of at least S$5,600 (S$6,200 in financial services), with higher amounts for older candidates, and must score at least 40 points under the COMPASS framework. Only those earning S$22,500 or more per month are exempt from COMPASS. If you qualified for an EP, you’re likely a significant earner, and that’s exactly why a basic group plan may not match what you and your family actually need.
Often, employer-provided plans are basic, may not extend to your dependants, and typically end the moment you leave the job. That can leave you exposed between roles, or leave your family without cover if they rely on your company plan.
Because of this, most EP holders look at supplementing or replacing company coverage with personal insurance. Key priorities include:
- Personal health insurance to fill gaps in employer plans
- International health insurance if you travel often or may relocate
- Family coverage for dependants on Dependant’s Passes, who aren’t automatically included in company schemes
In short, an EP gives you flexibility, but it also puts the responsibility for proper health coverage on your shoulders. Make sure you know exactly what’s covered, and fill the gaps before they catch you off guard.
See how a tailored plan works: Health insurance with tailored coverage.
ONE Pass holders
The Overseas Networks and Expertise (ONE) Pass gives senior professionals and entrepreneurs rare flexibility in Singapore. You can work for several employers at the same time or start your own ventures. But that freedom also means there’s no employer obligation to provide health insurance. You’re fully responsible for arranging your own cover.
For most ONE Pass holders, the priorities include:
- A comprehensive private or international health insurance plan
- SME or business insurance if you’re running your own company
- Life and critical illness protection to support dependants and long-term planning
- Family health plans, since spouses and children on Dependant’s Passes are not covered under your pass
Think of insurance here as part of your business setup. Just like legal or tax structures, it’s something you need to arrange yourself if you want to protect your health, family, and business interests.
Permanent Residents (PRs)
As a Singapore Permanent Resident, you are automatically covered under MediShield Life, the national health insurance scheme. MediShield Life helps pay for large hospital bills and certain outpatient treatments, but its coverage is basic and sized for public hospitals at subsidised ward levels.
To get broader protection, many PRs upgrade to an Integrated Shield Plan (IP), which sits on top of MediShield Life. MediSave savings can be used to pay for the MediSave-approved portion of IP premiums (up to annual withdrawal limits), but the remaining amount, along with any optional riders for private hospital access or cashless co-payment, must be paid in cash.
This is why some PRs still choose fully private or international health insurance instead of relying only on CPF-linked options. International plans are not MediSave-eligible, but they may offer global portability, wider hospital networks, and flexibility that IPs don’t always provide.
Key insurance priorities for PRs include:
- Deciding between MediSave-approved IPs and fully private plans
- Supplementing with outpatient, maternity, or dental riders if needed
- Considering international coverage if you travel often or plan to relocate
Read more: Health Insurance Without CPF in Singapore: Your Complete Guide
Comparing passes at a glance
Pass type | MOM requirement (2026) | Typical gaps | Best insurance add-ons |
| S Pass / Work Permit | Employer must provide at least S$60,000/year for inpatient and day surgery; since July 2025: standardised exclusions, direct insurer-to-hospital payment | No outpatient, dental, maternity, or dependant cover | Personal health plan, critical illness cover, dependant coverage |
| Employment Pass (EP) | No legal requirement for employer medical coverage (qualifying salary from S$5,600/month plus COMPASS) | Group plans may be basic, exclude dependants, and end when you leave the job | Personal health insurance, international cover if travelling, family plans |
| ONE Pass | No employer obligation to provide insurance | Fully self-arranged; no cover for dependants unless purchased separately | Comprehensive private or international plan, life and CI cover, family health plans |
| Permanent Resident (PR) | Covered by MediShield Life; can use MediSave for approved Integrated Shield Plans | MediSave only pays part of premiums; international plans are not CPF-eligible | Top-up with outpatient or maternity riders, or go fully private for flexibility |
Frequently asked questions
Does my employer have to give me health insurance in Singapore?
It depends on your pass. Employers of S Pass and Work Permit holders must provide medical insurance of at least S$60,000 per year for inpatient care and day surgery. There is no such legal requirement for Employment Pass or ONE Pass holders, although many companies offer group plans voluntarily.
What changed in 2025 for S Pass and Work Permit medical insurance?
From 1 July 2025, insurers follow a standardised list of allowable exclusions, premiums are age-differentiated, and insurers must reimburse hospitals directly. The minimum annual coverage of S$60,000 stays the same.
Can I keep my company health insurance if I change jobs?
Usually not. Group coverage typically ends on your last day of employment. If you depend on a company plan, a gap between jobs can leave you and your family without cover, which is why many professionals hold a personal plan alongside it.
Are family members on a Dependant’s Pass insured automatically?
No. A Dependant’s Pass gives your family the right to live in Singapore, but it comes with no insurance. Cover for spouses and children has to be arranged separately, either through your employer’s plan (if it allows dependants) or privately.
Can PRs use MediSave to pay for international health insurance?
No. MediSave can only be used for MediSave-approved Integrated Shield Plans, up to annual limits. International and fully private plans must be paid in cash, in exchange for benefits such as global portability and wider hospital choice, depending on the policy.
Getting the right coverage for your status
Your pass type is the foundation, but the right insurance depends on more than MOM’s rules. Family size, travel habits, business ventures, and long-term goals all shape the best coverage for you. And whatever you choose, final coverage always depends on the insurer’s terms, exclusions, and underwriting.
Read more: How to Choose the Right Insurance Policy: A Step-by-Step Guide
At IPG, we help global professionals, families, and business owners in Singapore navigate these choices. We compare local and international options, highlight the gaps, and tailor a solution that fits your life, whether you’re just arriving in Singapore or planning to stay for good.
Get your personalised insurance review today and make sure your protection matches your work status and your plans.