Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents pay towards their medical insurance (with input from their employers). The government has set up the ‘3M' framework - Medisave, Medishield and Medifund. This system combines individual responsibility with government funding, particularly to provide of low income earners and poorer individuals with a safety net. In addition to this, many employees and their dependants take out private health insurance, often funded by employers on behalf of employees. This usually covers services not covered within the 3M framework.

If, however, you an are an expat, you have the following options for medical insurance:

1. Verify whether your expat package includes medical insurance in Singapore . Ensure that you know what includes and, more importantly, what it doesn't.
2. If your company is based in Singapore , you can usually expect to get medical coverage. Again, do check what and who is covered.

Private insurance is widely used in Singapore by both Singaporeans and expats. It can be used to supplement your existing company insurance, or as your principal cover if you do not qualify for company health care.

Whatever you choose to do or whoever you choose to go with, please check very carefully that you are adequately covered for all eventualities. Policies vary greatly from company to company, and you will have to ensure that your policy does not exclude things like chronic illness, longer-term hospitalisation and pregnancy and childbirth.

Below is a list of private medical insurance providers in Singapore:

International Medical Insurers Pte Ltd
585 North Bridge Road
Raffles Hospital Level 11
Singapore 188770
Tel: (65) 6311 1331
E-mail: enquiries@imi.sg
Fax: (65) 6311 2396

ProMedico Plus Medical Insurance - Liberty Insurance Pte Ltd
51 Club Street
#03-00 Liberty House
Singapore 069428
Tel: (65) 6221-8611
E-mail: feedback@libertyinsurance.com.sg
Website: http://www.libertyinsurance.com.sg

Pacific Prime
http://www.pacificprime.com/

You may also like to check with your bank to see what kind of insurance they provide. Whatever you choose to do, shop around for coverage and charges before deciding on a policy.