Knowing elective vs. emergency surgery

Tackling the view that some doctors overcharge

On the importance of personal responsibility

Dr Akshar on Apr 1 legacy rider changes

Dr Tan on preparing for future medical needs

Navigating Singapore’s evolving health insurance landscape.

Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

The rules for Integrated Shield Plan (IP) riders changed on Apr 1, 2026. New mandates from the Ministry of Health mean that riders that offer nearly full coverage can no longer be sold. They have been  replaced by plans that require higher out-of-pocket costs in exchange for lower premiums. These new riders promote greater accountability in controlling escalating healthcare expenses. 

If you have an existing IP rider, you might wonder if  you should "grandfather" your current plan, switch to a new one to save on premiums, or perhaps do without one?

If you are just starting your healthcare journey, you need to understand why MOH is removing deductible coverage and doubling the co-payment cap from $3,000 to $6,000.

In this episode, host Joyce Teo engages with a private sector surgeon and a health economist to discuss the new landscape of health insurance,  how to think about your future healthcare needs, and the crucial role of personal responsibility.

The guests are Dr. Tan Yia Swam, a breast surgeon and former president of the Singapore Medical Association, and Dr. Akshar Saxena, an Assistant Professor of Economics at Nanyang Technological University.

In the podcast, Dr Tan also addresses a common misconception that private sector doctors frequently overcharge.

Highlights (click/tap above):

8:05 Knowing the difference between an elective surgery and an emergency one. 

10:40 Addressing the public perception that some doctors overcharge patients…

15:20 On the importance of personal responsibility…

23:07  Dr Akshar on the impact of the Apr 1 changes on legacy riders

24:18 Dr Tan’s perspective on preparing for her future medical needs.

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN 

Host: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong

Follow Health Check Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube:https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast

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Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

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#healthcheck

Navigating Singapore&rsquo;s evolving health insurance landscape.
Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.
The rules for Integrated Shield Plan (IP) riders changed on Apr 1, 2026. New mandates from the Ministry of Health mean that riders that offer nearly full coverage can no longer be sold. They have been&nbsp; replaced by plans that require higher out-of-pocket costs in exchange for lower premiums. These new riders promote greater accountability in controlling escalating healthcare expenses.&nbsp;
If you have an existing IP rider, you might wonder if&nbsp; you should "grandfather" your current plan, switch to a new one to save on premiums, or perhaps do without one?
If you are just starting your healthcare journey, you need to understand why MOH is removing deductible coverage and doubling the co-payment cap from $3,000 to $6,000.
In this episode, host Joyce Teo engages with a private sector surgeon and a health economist to discuss the new landscape of health insurance,&nbsp; how to think about your future healthcare needs, and the crucial role of personal responsibility.
The guests are Dr. Tan Yia Swam, a breast surgeon and former president of the Singapore Medical Association, and Dr. Akshar Saxena, an Assistant Professor of Economics at Nanyang Technological University.
In the podcast, Dr Tan also addresses a common misconception that private sector doctors frequently overcharge.
Highlights (click/tap above):
8:05 Knowing the difference between an elective surgery and an emergency one.&nbsp;
10:40 Addressing the public perception that some doctors overcharge patients&hellip;
15:20 On the importance of personal responsibility&hellip;
23:07&nbsp; Dr Akshar on the impact of the Apr 1 changes on legacy riders
24:18 Dr Tan&rsquo;s perspective on preparing for her future medical needs.
Read Joyce Teo's stories:<a href="https://str.sg/JbxN"> https://str.sg/JbxN</a>&nbsp;
Host: Joyce Teo (<a href="mailto:joyceteo@sph.com.sg">joyceteo@sph.com.sg</a>)
Produced and edited by: Amirul Karim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong
Follow Health Check Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/JWaN"> https://str.sg/JWaN</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/JWRX"> https://str.sg/JWRX</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/JWaQ"> https://str.sg/JWaQ</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel:<a href="https://str.sg/wvz7"> https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
Get more updates:<a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts"> http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
The Usual Place Podcast YouTube:<a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa"> </a><a href="https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast">https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast</a>
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: <a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
---
#healthcheck

Making sense of health matters that work for you.

Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Podcaster: Joyce Teo

Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.
Podcaster: Joyce Teo
Produced &amp; edited by: Amirul Karim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Lynda Hong
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.