With premiums for private health insurance rising sharply and medical bills climbing faster than wages, the Ministry of Health is rolling out major changes to Integrated Shield Plan riders from April 2026. New riders will no longer cover minimum deductibles, co-payment caps will double, and policyholders will take on a larger share of their bills, even as annual premiums are expected to fall by about 30 per cent.

What do these shifts mean for Singaporeans trying to balance affordability with adequate protection? Vincent Gan, Chartered Financial Consultant and Chartered Life Underwriter with 20 years experience in the financial services industry, joins the Breakfast Show to unpack how these reforms may shape everyday decisions around hospital choice, budgeting, and long-term healthcare planning.