The Business Times
business-time-50
THINKING ALOUD

A preventive approach is key to keeping health cover sustainable

In this interconnected web, employers, who are payers themselves, have to step up

Summarise
google-preferred-sourceAdd BT as a preferred source
Genevieve Cua

Genevieve Cua

Published Tue, Jul 28, 2026 · 07:00 AM
阅读简体中文版 (beta)
    • The negative cycle of high healthcare costs, an ageing population, overconsumption and overprescription afflicts both the individual and group health insurance markets.
    • The negative cycle of high healthcare costs, an ageing population, overconsumption and overprescription afflicts both the individual and group health insurance markets. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT

    [SINGAPORE] Insurers, policyholders and corporates wrestle with the big elephant that is medical-cost or medical-trend inflation. Is it possible to bring it to heel?

    The all-round impact is sobering. Policyholders with Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) feel the pinch in ever-rising premiums. Insurers grapple with soaring claims and a precarious book of business.

    Those with IP businesses teeter on razor-thin margins. Those with group medical portfolios are in an even more unenviable state.

    Thinking AloudHealthcareIntegrated Shield

    TRENDING NOW

    Why is Apac poised to become such a significant market for aviation?

    Asia-Pacific aviation: is up really the only way?

    Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) meeting Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing (left) at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow on Aug 18.

    Russia’s ‘pivot to Asia’ takes a turn as it prioritises ties with isolated regimes over bigger economies

    Professional oversight can help investors avoid emotion-led decisions, shares Chew Mun Yew, managing director and head of UOB Private Bank.

    Why disciplined stewardship matters when managing wealth in uncertain markets

    The programme aims to equip accountancy and corporate finance workers with practical skills to use AI effectively and responsibly.

    More than 15,000 sign up for national accounting body’s AI programme in two months

    Latest T-bills Treasury Bills Results & Interest NewsLatest SSB Singapore Savings Bonds NewsLatest COE Certificate of Entitlement News
    Latest Johor-Singapore SEZ NewsLatest BTO Build To Order & Sales of Balance NewsLatest STI Straits Times Index NewsLatest SGX Dividends, Share Price NewsLatest Bonds Market NewsLatest Singapore Stocks To Buy NewsLatest Singapore Economy News
    View More