There is a ton of information out there on Careshield Life but if you are looking for a simplified version, something more layman, this post is for you.
Careshield life is a form of LONG TERM CARE insurance. It pays you CASH benefits on a monthly basis if successfully claimed
Do you also have these questions on this topic?
Questions 1: Is Careshield Life similar to Total permanent disability (TPD) or critical illness insurance?
Question 2: My IP plan covers outpatient care, do I still benefit from Careshield Life?
These answers will be a lot clearer once you understand the causes for claims
Number 1 cause of claims for long term care (like careshield life) is STROKE
About 1/3 of long term care claims (source from AVIVA) are from stroke patients.
Stroke is a very common condition and the following part can help you answers some questions above.
Stroke can be a covered condition with Critical ilIness (CI) coverage.
It depends on the stroke severity and what kind of CI policy you have.
Stroke may trigger Total & permanent disability (TPD) claims also.
It depends on THE SEVERITY OF THE STOKE CONDITION which has a range of severity.
Some patients are permanently bedridden while others experience near full recovery after a year of rehab.
A patient who experience near full recovery after a year of rehab would have benefited from some Careshield Life payouts but the TPD would not pay.
TPD is for PERMANENT DAMAGE OR LOSSES and with a longer deferment period.
It is NOT the same criteria as long term care and Careshield Life.
SO THIS ANSWERS PARTIALLY SOME OF THE QUESTIONS ABOVE:
Long term care insurance (like Careshield life) is to insure some of your NEW extra medical cost.
These medical costs are not only medication but also maid cost, nursing home cost, physio cost ...etc...
If you see it from a "NEW extra medical cost" point of view, benefits make sense!
The payout amount with Careshield Life is higher at $600/m as compared to the old $400/m with eldershield.
Personally, I feel even at $600/m, it still barely covers maid hiring costs.
Hence, I've upgraded for myself with Careshield Life supplement plans and would recommend you to consider an upgrade of coverage amount.
Especially when you can use your medisave for premiums.
FYI: For Singaporeans and PR from year 1980 onwards, it is compulsory.
Read below to know the incentives to join Careshield life
My family's claim with Eldershield previously
I come from a unique background. My dad is a stroke patient, so the caregiving part and cost involved is very close to heart. That was more than 14years back.
He started having a build up of brain pressure from a ladder climb and was admitted to hospital shortly after. Neurosurgeons inserted a cerebral shunt insertion to save the situation.
However, a full blown stoke still occured subsequently.
Having seen through these, I became a big advocate of long term care coverage and in my course of insurance advisory work, I've helped at least 100 people with their eldershield upgrades.
Because of it, I've heard a ton of confusion on this subject.
Perhaps the best way is to bring out all the previous questions that I have had to answer and see if it helps you understand it better.
What are the other TOP causes of claims
Amputation can come from a condition of diabetes, cancer or trauma.
Some stats on diabetes: 3/10 Singaporeans over age 60 have diabetes. That high.
Although your IP plan will cover you for renal dialysis, long term care insurance (like careshield life) is needed to take care of other expenses like maid cost, transport cost, medication cost etc...
What about Dementia, Alzheimer's and other brain diseases
that cause inability to remember how to do things?
What about accidents or some form of degeneration of muscle?
Incentives: Join CareShield Life early if you are 1960-1979!
There are incentives to join CareShield Life within 2 years of launch.
Participation incentives will be spread equally over 10 years and will be used to offset the annual premium payable in that year. Even those who have pre-existing medical conditions can join the scheme, but underwriting criteria will be tightened after two years.
| Year of Birth | Incentive | Incentive Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1975-1979 | S$500 | S$50 |
| 1970-1974 | S$1,000 | S$100 |
| 1965-1969 | S$1,500 | S$150 |
| 1960-1964 | S$2,000 | S$200 |
| Before 1960 | S$2,500 | S$250 |
Why upgrade with Careshield Life supplements to cover more
While stroke is a TOP cause for claims, there are many medical conditions or situations that can cause anyone to become disabled.
For long term care, as long as you are unable to perform your daily activities for whatever reason (not just the 37 critical illnesses) you will incur NEW extra medical cost.
And these cost are long term which means proper planning can be seen as protecting your retirement.
Appreciate Careshield Life for what it can do for you definitely upgrade to cover more adequately with your own needs.
Recommendations
I've upgraded my own long-term care coverage with AVIVA MyLongTermCare plan.
With this plan, coverage amount is in addition to the $600/m careshield life if claim were to take place. Coverage can be customised and there are choices for payout benefits to be level, inflation with 2% or inflating with 3%.
There is a 20% perpetual discount for plan purchase now and do consider upgrading early as premiums are based on entry age.
Last updated on November 28th, 2020 at 11:49 am