Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Downgrade to Medishield

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Downgrade to Medishield

I wish to downgrade from a private Shield to Medishield. I have a lot of trouble with this request.

My enquiry to the insurance company was not properly answered. I was given a form to cancel my private Shield, but there was no mention about the downgrade to Medishield. I have to ask again for them to answer this question.

I search the CPF website. They said that the member can downgrade from a private Shield to Medishield at any time, but did not indicate how this can be done. I have to write to them for instructions - as I am not able to find the instructions in the website.

I prefer to be self-insured and pay out-of-pocket for my hospital charges. However, if the medical charges are very expensive, I can opt to be treated in a subsidised ward.
http://www.tankinlian.com/articles/health.html

16 comments:

Anonymous said...: if your private shield is an integrated plan, once you terminated your private shield plan, you will automatically transfer back to basic medishield.; December 16, 2008 3:22 PM
Tan Kin Lian said...: Hi, 3:22 PM
I want to judge the standard of customer service and communication of the insurance company and of CPF.

The communication is not clear to me, even though I am a knowledgeable person. I have so much trouble over a simple request.; December 16, 2008 4:07 PM
Unknown said...: "I have so much trouble over a simple request."

...Extract of Confidential Memo from Budget Dept to Management Office:

"1st STAGE MISSION ACHIEVED!
Bonus issued.

Wait til they see 2nd STAGE!"

*wink*; December 16, 2008 4:30 PM
Anonymous said...: Mr Tan,
Can you please share your reasons for downgrading from a private shield to the basic medishield?
Thanks.

Jasmin; December 16, 2008 4:46 PM
Anonymous said...: Mr Tan,
I forgot to mention that many agents said that "upgrading is difficult and subject to various conditions but downgrading is easy".

Jasmin; December 16, 2008 4:59 PM
siewkhim said...: I think Kin Lian is talking about the insurer's current customer service standard and use a real life experience.

My own experiences show that NTUC INcome service standard is moving gradually from bad to worst since the new management took over.; December 16, 2008 6:32 PM
Anonymous said...: They make it so difficult because there is no money to be made with this procedure. That is how our exemplary institutions, CPF and NTUC Income under the able leadership of our million dollars ministers are evolving. Sad and they still think they have done such a great job!; December 16, 2008 6:36 PM
Anonymous said...: Jasmin,
Can you spend some of your time reading up on what MR Tan has repeated so many times before.; December 16, 2008 6:43 PM
Anonymous said...: Is yours an Incomeshield Plan?; December 16, 2008 6:55 PM
Anonymous said...: Mr Tan,

Any cost or loss involved in terminating your private shield? Or is it because it had outlived its usefuless? Had it been better if you had not bought it in the first place? After all medishield is automatic, isn't it?; December 16, 2008 7:10 PM
Anonymous said...: Mr. Tan,

You just need to cancel the private insurance part of the shield plan. The medishield portion will not be touched. Have done this a few times for my clients. Ask your trusted adviser if in doubt.; December 16, 2008 10:17 PM
Anonymous said...: Mr. Tan,

Perhaps the customer service at the CPF or insurance company is afraid of you and hence did not dare to give you a clear answer for fear of being your next "target"? Your enquiry is a very simple one. Any insurance advisers also know the answer.; December 16, 2008 10:50 PM
Anonymous said...: Not true, I tried to downgrade and went to Income centre. The staff there took over an hour and several phone calls to find out how it can be done.; December 17, 2008 12:44 AM
Anonymous said...: Thanks for sharing your experience. Many retirees myself included have private shield plans plus Rider to pay for the deductable & co-insurance - most were psycho by their agents to buy such plans saying they don't have to cough out cash if they are hospitalised. If Medishiedl is sufficient, clearly we don'd need to pay for such plans. I shall be grateful if you will keep us posted of your experience so that we can cut down our medical expenses! Thanks again!; December 17, 2008 7:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Thank you Mr Tan for sharing your experience.
i would like to cancel the private shield plan too, the next cycle is mar 2009, looks like i better call in jan so that my request can be put through in time.; December 17, 2008 9:17 AM
Unknown said...: IF...

"The staff there took over an hour and several phone calls to find out how it can be done."

BECAUSE...

"They make it so difficult because there is no money to be made with this procedure."

THEN WHAT ABOUT?..

"We want REFUNDS for our failed investments!"; December 17, 2008 1:45 PM