SINGAPORE — Stressing that people with mental health struggles should not be excluded from having insurance coverage, several Members of Parliament (MP) have called for the authorities to look into ways to offer greater access. 

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 6), the MPs said that people with mental health conditions should not have to grapple with insurance discrimination as it would only deter more from seeking help. 

They were speaking on a motion titled Advancing Mental Health, filed by MPs from the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Health, calling for a whole-of-Singapore effort to advance mental health and well-being. 

The MPs are Dr Wan Rizal Wan Zakariah, Dr Tan Wu Meng, Mr Yip Hon Weng, Ms Mariam Jaafar and Mr Edward Chia. 

A total of 27 MPs are expected to speak on various issues concerning the topic, such as improving workplace mental health policies, offering tailored support for caregivers and regular monitoring of students’ mental health. 

Dr Tan, an MP from the Jurong Group Representation Constituency (GRC), urged the Government to engage the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to improve and reform the insurance sector. 

Ms Rachel Ong from West Coast GRC suggested that the Interagency Taskforce on Mental Health and Well-being work with insurance companies and outline the recourse available for those who have been denied insurance coverage. 

On insurance coverage for accessibility to mental health services, Nominated MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi urged the Government to “maintain sight of this developing space” to ensure fair insurance coverage for all.

WORRIES OVER EXCLUSION DUE TO MENTAL HEALTH

Ms Ong brought up several anecdotes to drive home her point of helping people with mental health conditions get insurance.

She cited an article in online magazine Vice, in which a woman who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder was advised by her doctor not to disclose her diagnosis to avoid “(complicating) things” with her insurance coverage. 

The woman was quoted as saying: “I chose to remain silent about my mental health in order to protect my physical health.” 

In another article, published by the National University of Singapore's Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, one woman had her insurance applications denied by companies due to her bipolar disorder. This was in spite of her doctor certifying that she was physically healthy.

Multiple appeals had been submitted, including one by her MP, but to no avail, said Ms Ong. 

“Given the ongoing examples of rejection, coupled with warnings from doctors and insurance brokers not to declare their mental illness, one’s only options are to conceal, skip treatment or go without insurance,” she said. 

Meanwhile, Dr Tan cited a Straits Times Forum letter published on July 18, 2023, about a teenager who was turned away by “two large insurance companies” because of a mental health diagnosis, according to her parent.

The girl was said to have been unable to get coverage for hospitalisation or critical illness. 

“I have young Clementi residents who... are going through a tough time and want to seek help,” said Dr Tan.

“But they’re also worried about what will happen if they seek help, are labelled with a mental health diagnosis and can’t get insurance after that.”

SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE INSURANCE SECTOR

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, said that the Government has a crucial role in shaping the insurance market to promote affordable and accessible mental health coverage. 

This includes general health and hospitalisation coverage for Singaporeans facing mental health challenges. 

She proposed that private insurers and relevant government agencies foster data sharing, which involves the sharing of “anonymised demographic and mental health data” from those who consent and are assured of privacy. 

“Insurers could gain insights into the trends and needs of different groups, to develop well-informed and responsive insurance products,” she said. 

Ms Nadia added that incentives that reward private insurers who actively engage in the development of mental health insurance products could be considered.

Efforts to expand mental health support will be jeopardised if people are afraid to seek help due to the exclusion from insurance coverage, Dr Tan said.

“So I call upon this Government to get MAS on board, to look at improvements and reforms to the insurance sector, especially for young Singaporeans who may face mental health worries early in life,” he said.

“When a fellow Singaporean is unreasonably excluded, disproportionately denied from insurance — just remember it could be any one of us or any one of our loved ones.”

Mr Xie Yao Quan, another MP of Jurong GRC, said that while private insurance providers have a significant role to play in this, the national provider must lead the way. 

“MediShield must do more,” he said.