What's the current minimum medical insurance for my Work Permit and S Pass holders?

The Answer in 60 Seconds Per the MOM press release of 31 March 2023, since 1 July 2023 every Work Permit and S Pass holder must have medical insurance covering at least S$60,000 per year for inpatient care and day surgery. The employer is fully insured (first-dollar) for the first S$15,000; above S$15,000, insurers cover 75% and employers co-pay 25%, up to the S$60,000 annual cap. From 1 July 2025, Stage 2 enhancements added age-banded premiums, standardised exclusions, and direct hospital reimbursement.

The Sourced Detail

The minimum medical insurance for foreign employees on Work Permit and S Pass is governed by the Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) Regulations.

The pre-2023 baseline

From 1 January 2010 to 30 June 2023, the minimum coverage was S$15,000/year. Per the MOM press release of 4 March 2022, more than 5% of foreign-worker hospitalisation bills were exceeding the S$15,000 cap as medical inflation pushed up bill sizes — leaving employers to absorb the shortfall.

Stage 1 — 1 July 2023 (in force)

Per the MOM press release:

  • Minimum annual claim limit raised from S$15,000 to S$60,000.
  • Co-payment structure introduced. Employers fully covered (first-dollar) for the first S$15,000. Between S$15,000 and S$60,000, the insurer pays 75% and the employer co-pays 25%.
  • Per the MOM 4 March 2022 announcement: "The increased annual claim limit will cover more than 99% of Work Permit and S Pass holders' inpatient and day surgery bills."

The arithmetic on a representative case: a S$30,000 bill — first S$15,000 fully insured; remaining S$15,000 split 75/25 between insurer (S$11,250) and employer (S$3,750). Total employer out-of-pocket: S$3,750.

Stage 2 — 1 July 2025 (in force)

Per the MOM FAQ:

  • Standardised exclusion clauses across all insurers.
  • Age-differentiated premiums with a split at age 50.
  • Direct hospital reimbursement — insurer pays hospital directly; employer no longer pre-pays.

Permitted worker co-payment

Per Eazy.com.sg's compliance summary of MOM rules, employers are allowed (but not required) to enter a co-payment arrangement with non-domestic Work Permit holders for medical bills. Conditions:

  • The worker's share must not exceed 10% of fixed monthly salary.
  • Duration capped at 6 months in any 24-month employment period.
  • The arrangement must be in the employment contract or collective agreement, with the worker's full consent.

Migrant domestic workers (FDWs) are excluded — see Article 4.

Insurer accreditation

MOM does not maintain a "designated insurer" list for Foreign Worker Medical Insurance (FWMI) in the same way it does for WICA. Any general insurer authorised by MAS to write health insurance can issue FWMI, provided the policy meets MOM's minimum requirements. Brochure terms vary in:

  • Co-payment waiver riders (eliminating the 25% employer share)
  • Outpatient extensions (most policies cover only inpatient and day-surgery)
  • Pre-existing condition handling
  • Dental and maternity riders
  • Repatriation and transport benefits.

Furnishing details to MOM

All employers must submit FWMI details (insurer name, policy number, period, sum insured) via Work Permit Online (WPOL) before the Work Permit is issued. Failure to furnish current insurance details is a Work Pass condition breach.

How this fits with WICA

FWMI covers non-work-related medical bills (illness or off-duty injury). WICA insurance covers work-related injury and occupational disease. They are distinct policies — one does not substitute for the other.

What This Means for Your Business

Three implications for SMEs employing Work Permit or S Pass holders.

The S$60,000 cap is a floor, not a ceiling. MOM data suggests it covers 99%+ of bills, but the 1% tail can be very expensive. Top-up "above-the-cap" coverage is available from many insurers for an incremental premium.

The 25% co-payment is real cash flow. Co-payment-waiver riders convert this volatile exposure into a predictable premium.

Stage 2 simplifies comparison. Standardised exclusions remove "fine-print roulette." But age-banded premiums mean a small SME with an older workforce will pay differently from a young workforce.

Questions to Ask Your Adviser

  1. What is the marginal premium for a co-payment waiver rider given my headcount and worker age distribution?
  2. Are there meaningful differences in panel-hospital networks across the eligible insurers?
  3. Does my policy include outpatient or specialist extensions, and how do these interact with the S$60,000 inpatient cap?
  4. How does my FWMI handle pre-existing conditions, and what is my exposure for new hires?
  5. Is my FWMI bundled with WICA via the same insurer/broker, or are they separate?

Related Information

Published 3 May 2026. Source verified 3 May 2026. COVA is an introducer under MAS Notice FAA-N02. We do not recommend insurance products. We provide factual information sourced from primary regulators and route you to a licensed IFA who can match a policy to your specific situation.