Health1 min read

72% spike in number of people who dropped their IP riders in 2025

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

More than 112,000 residents terminated their Integrated Shield Plan riders in 2025 as sustained price increases strained personal budgets. Premiums often triple between the ages of 50 and 70, eventually reaching up to $9,000 annually for individuals in their 70s. Combined with base policies, annual payments can climb to as high as $22,700, leading policyholders like 57-year-old Oo Gin Lee to drop add-ons to save thousands of dollars.

Key points

  • Combined annual costs for base policies and riders can reach $22,700 depending on the ins…: Combined annual costs for base policies and riders can reach $22,700 depending on the insurer and selected coverage tier.
  • Health Minister Ong Ye Kung noted that affordability concerns and right-sizing coverage d…: Health Minister Ong Ye Kung noted that affordability concerns and right-sizing coverage drive policyholders to scale back their plans.
  • Policyholders in their 70s face rider premiums of up to $9,000 as prices can triple after…: Policyholders in their 70s face rider premiums of up to $9,000 as prices can triple after age 50.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

- More than 112,000 people gave up their Integrated Shield Plan riders in 2025, a 72% rise from 65,000 in 2024, after years of sharp premium increases.

- MOH said rider premiums rose 17.2% a year from December 2021 to December 2024. Costs can triple with age and reach $9,000 a year in the 70s.

- Many policyholders downgraded or stopped cover as prices rose. Policyholder Oo Gin Lee cut an add-on and saved more than $3,700 after seeing a renewal bill near $9,000.

AI generated

SINGAPORE – More than 112,000 people gave up their optional private health insurance add-ons in 2025.

This marks an increase of more than 72% from the 65,000 who discontinued their Integrated Shield Plan (IP) riders in 2024.

An IP is a private medical insurance plan that gives additional coverage on top of what is provided through the national health insurance scheme MediShield Life. Riders help cover out-of-pocket costs.

In total, about 5.6% of the two-million-odd pool of IP rider policyholders threw in the towel in 2025, based on the latest figures provided to The…

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