Introduction
Over the past few years, Singapore has undertaken significant measures to enhance the healthcare and overall welfare of its foreign workforce. Notably, a pivotal stride in this direction has been the compulsory introduction of a Primary Care Plan (PCP) designed to benefit all eligible foreign workers. The PCP is a comprehensive healthcare scheme providing primary healthcare services which encompasses medical consultations and health check-ups, specifically tailored to the needs of foreign workers in Singapore.
What is the Primary Care Plan (PCP) and what does it cover?
From 1 April 2022, a significant change was introduced in Singapore, with employers in the Construction, Manufacturing, and Process (CMP) sectors mandated to purchase a Primary Care Plan (PCP) for their migrant workers. This move, driven by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), underscores the importance of safeguarding the well-being of these migrant workers. The objective is to ensure that migrant workers in these sectors have convenient access to cost-effective healthcare services in proximity to their residential areas.
The PCP stands as a compulsory healthcare program tailored for eligible foreign workers within Singapore. Its comprehensive coverage extends to various primary healthcare services, encompassing medical treatments and health check-ups. (Read the full list of services)
The primary goal of the PCP is to ensure that foreign workers receive adequate and timely medical attention, subsequently contributing to their enhanced health and overall quality of life.
Moreover, it is important to note that employers are still required to maintain foreign worker medical insurance coverage of no less than $60,000 annually per Work Permit or S-Pass holder, covering inpatient hospitalisation and day surgery. The PCP complements this requirement by covering outpatient primary healthcare services; including consultations for acute and chronic conditions, telemedicine options and mobile clinical teams, ensuring a well-rounded approach to the well-being of foreign workers.
Who is eligible for a Primary Care Plan (PCP)?
Eligibility for PCP
The Primary Care Plan (PCP) is mandatory for all Work Permit (excluding migrant domestic workers (MDWs)) and S Pass holders, residing in dormitories accommodating 7 or more workers, or employed in the construction, marine shipyard, and process (CMP) sectors. (Note: Special Pass holders are not included in this requirement).
Dormitory Residences
Workers residing in Factory-converted Dormitories (FCD), Construction Temporary Quarters (CTQ), and Temporary Occupation Licence Quarters (TOLQ) are categorized as dormitory residents and are also required to be enrolled in the PCP.
Criteria for Mandatory PCP
The requirement for the PCP is determined not by job titles (e.g., Construction Managers, Quality Surveyors), but rather by the type of work pass, namely Work Permit and S Pass, and the specific industry sectors associated with those work passes.
Exclusions
The PCP is unavailable to Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, or other pass types such as Employment Pass or Dependent Pass with Letter of Consent (LOC).
Optional Enrollment
While the PCP remains optional for all other Work Permit holders (excluding migrant domestic workers) and S Pass holders, we highly recommend considering PCP enrollment to provide enhanced protection for your workers.
The table summarises the groups of workers, timelines and actions required of employers.
| Groups of workers holding Work Permit or S Pass staying in dormitories that provide accommodation to 7 or more workers or working in CMP sectors | Timeline for workers to be on the PCP | Action by employers |
| Newly arrived workers | From 1 April 2022 | From 15 September 2022, employers must complete the purchase of the PCP before the work pass is issued/renewed and maintain payments. Employers who do not comply will be liable for enforcement actions under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. |
| Existing workers whose work passes are due for renewal | ||
| Existing workers who requested a change of employer | ||
| Existing workers whose work passes are not due for renewal between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023 | From 1 April 2023 | Employers must purchase the PCP for all eligible workers by 31 March 2023, even if their work passes are not due for renewal. MOM will track such purchases. Employers who do not comply will be liable for enforcement actions under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. |
How to buy a Primary Care Plan (PCP)?
Employers must buy a PCP from the Anchor Operator (AO) that manages the zone where their migrant workers stay. AOs are medical service providers appointed by MOM.
For foreign workers who must have a PCP, employers can buy the PCP from the AO designated for their worker’s zone. If the worker stays overseas and commutes daily to Singapore for work, you can buy the PCP for either the zone where they work or the zone where it is easiest for them to seek medical attention.
The prices of PCP range from $108 to $138 per worker per year. The prices differ between the different AOs, depending on the size of the zone they manage. You can pay by monthly instalments via GIRO.
| Zone | Anchor Operator (AO) | Postal Code (first 2 digits) | Annual Cost (as of Oct 2023) |
| A | StarMed Specialist Centre
| 01-10 15-25 28-37 40-41 57 |
|
| B | SATA CommHealth
| 38-39 42-55 81-82 |
|
| C | SATA CommHealth
| 56 74-80 |
|
| D | SATA CommHealth
| 69-73 |
|
| E | Fullerton Healthcare Group
| 62-63 |
|
| F | St Andrew’s Mission Hospital (SAMH)
| 11-14 26-27 58-61 64-68 |
|
Benefits of PCP for Employers and Foreign Workers
The Primary Care Plan (PCP) offers a multitude of advantages to both employers and foreign workers, making it a win-win proposition. For employers, the PCP serves as a tool to reduce healthcare expenditures while concurrently enhancing the health and productivity of their workforce.
Foreign workers, on the other hand, gain invaluable access to a comprehensive spectrum of healthcare services through the PCP, encompassing annual health screening. This ensures that their well-being is well looked after.
Moreover, the PCP plays a pivotal role in mitigating legal liabilities for employers. By ensuring that foreign workers have ready access to necessary medical care, it helps safeguard employers against potential legal issues.
Under the PCP, migrant workers enjoy unrestricted access to acute and chronic consultations from MOM Medical Centers/GP clinics under their Anchor Operator, Telemedicine services, and Mobile Clinical Teams. Simple procedures like foreign body removal, wound dressing, toileting, and suturing to therapeutic injections are also included.
For added convenience, tele-consultations are available, with medication delivery on the same day for consultations conducted between 8am and 5.59pm, and by 12pm on the following day for consultations sought from 6pm to 7.59am.
Please note that workers are required to co-pay $5 for medical treatment at each visit or $2 for each telemedicine service, charged by the operators.
Conclusion
In summary, the Mandatory Primary Care Plan (PCP) stands as a vital cornerstone in Singapore’s commitment to the well-being of its eligible foreign workers. With its extensive coverage, spanning essential medical care and health screening, the PCP aims to achieve a holistic approach to the healthcare needs of migrant workers. Employers, as crucial stakeholders in this initiative, are responsible for the financial support and enrollment of their foreign workers.
The PCP not only fosters healthier workplaces but also yields a host of advantages for both employers and foreign workers. These include cost savings in healthcare, enhanced worker health, and increased productivity.
Equally important, it serves as a safeguard, helping to reduce legal liabilities for employers. In a nutshell, the PCP is a testament to Singapore’s dedication to the health and welfare of its diverse workforce, reaping mutual benefits for all parties involved.
For more details, you may refer to MOM FAQ for PCP.
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