In Singapore (like most places around the world), men are often seen as the anchors of their families — responsible, resilient, and ready to protect. Yet, many men ironically fall short when it comes to protecting themselves, especially their health.

Statistically, men in Singapore are more likely than women to:

• Delay medical check-ups and screenings
• Suffer from preventable conditions like heart disease or diabetes
• Lack adequate health insurance beyond basic employer coverage

This Father’s Day, let’s flip the script. Whether you’re a father yourself or looking out for one, it’s time to talk about men’s health insurance — what it should cover, what risks are commonly overlooked, and how to make smart, proactive choices that safeguard health and finances. Because taking care of your family starts with taking care of yourself.

Understanding men’s health risks in Singapore

Men are more susceptible to certain diseases due to a mix of genetic, behavioural, and lifestyle factors. These are the top 5 health concerns affecting men in Singapore:

Cardiovascular Disease

• Leading cause of death among men in Singapore: Cardiovascular disease accounted for 30.9% of all deaths in 2023, making it the leading cause of death in Singapore.
• Common risk factors: Major risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, and diabetes mellitus.
• Recommended screenings: Regular health screenings such as ECG, lipid profile, and blood pressure monitoring are recommended to detect early signs of cardiovascular issues.

Colorectal Cancer

• Most common cancer among men in Singapore: Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer among men in Singapore.
• Early stages are often asymptomatic: Early stages of colorectal cancer often present no symptoms, making regular screening crucial.
• Recommended screenings: The Health Promotion Board (Singapore) recommends that individuals aged 50 and above undergo regular screenings such as colonoscopies or Faecal Immunochemical Tests (FIT).

Prostate Health

• BPH and prostate cancer increase after age 50: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common conditions affecting men over the age of 50. Prostate cancer is more common in men above 50 years, with risk increasing with age.
• Recommended screenings: Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests and digital rectal exams (DRE) are commonly used for early detection of prostate issues.

Type 2 Diabetes & Hypertension

• Prevalence among men: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among males in Singapore is approximately 9.9%, and hypertension is about 22.4%.
• Often undetected without regular health checks: Many individuals are unaware they have these conditions due to the lack of symptoms in early stages, highlighting the importance of regular health screenings.
• Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP): The CDMP in Singapore provides subsidies for outpatient treatment of chronic diseases, including diabetes and hypertension, making management more accessible.

Mental Health

• Stigma deters men from seeking help: Traditional beliefs and societal expectations in Asian cultures, including Singapore, contribute to the stigma surrounding mental health, often deterring men from seeking help.
• Burnout, anxiety, and depression are common but under-treated: Men are less likely to seek help for mental health issues, which can exacerbate conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

Essential health insurance plans for men in Singapore

Integrated Shield Plan (IP) + Rider

• Integrated Shield Plans cover hospitalisation, surgery, ICU, and specialist care.
• Rider caps co-payments and includes pre/post-hospitalisation costs.
• Some riders offer up to 365 days post-hospitalisation coverage.

Critical Illness (CI) Plan

• Critical Illness Plans provide a lump-sum payout upon diagnosis of major illnesses such as but not limited to cancer, stroke, or heart attack.
• Early CI plans cover minor or early-stage conditions.
• Useful for income replacement and non-medical recovery costs.

Personal Accident (PA) Plan

• Personal Accident Plans cover injuries from falls, sports, and even food poisoning.
• Includes hospital cash, outpatient expenses, and some TCM.
• Ideal for active or outdoorsy men.

Life Insurance

• Whole Life or Term Insurance ensures financial protection for dependants in case of death or disability.
• Term plans offer high coverage at affordable rates.
• Whole life plans combine coverage with savings/investment.

Tip: Only a few plans are gender-targeted, but many Integrated Shield Plans provide coverage for male-related conditions like prostate cancer or colonoscopy after referral.

Why corporate and personal insurance should go hand in hand

Although times are changing and more women take on heavier roles in the workplace, men are usually seen as the bread winner of the family. However, most employees (regardless of gender) typically don’t fully utilise their Corporate Insurance.

Employer-provided health insurance is a valuable benefit in Singapore — it offers essential coverage for common medical needs and is often sufficient for day-to-day health management. However, remember that Corporate Insurance should be viewed as more of a helpful foundation rather than a complete solution. These plans typically come with lower coverage limits, limited customisation, and usually end when you leave your job, whether through resignation, retrenchment, or retirement.

That’s where personal insurance such as your Integrated Shield Plan, Personal Accident Plan, and Critical Illness Plan comes in. Unlike Corporate Insurance, your personal health insurance is fully customisable, portable across life stages and job changes, and can be tailored to cover your unique medical risks. It also offers the flexibility to include riders and often allows you to extend protection to your spouse and children — something most corporate policies may not provide.

Together, your corporate and private health insurance plans can work hand in hand to provide more comprehensive and long-term protection. By supplementing your employer’s coverage with your own, you ensure continuity of care and peace of mind — especially in your 40s and 50s, when chronic conditions may begin to surface and job transitions become more likely.

Make the most of your MediSave for your health

MediSave can be a useful tool in managing healthcare costs, but it’s important to understand what it does — and doesn’t — cover. For men in Singapore, your MediSave can be used to pay for health screenings under the Healthier SG Screening (formerly known as the Screen for Life Programme), as long as you fall within the eligible age groups. It also supports outpatient treatment for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension through the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP). Vaccinations, including flu, pneumococcal, and shingles (for those aged 60 and above), are also claimable.

However, screenings specific to men’s health — such as PSA tests for prostate cancer or colorectal cancer screening — are generally not MediSave-claimable unless symptoms are present or a referral is made by a doctor. That’s why you should always combine your MediSave usage with your Integrated Shield Plan (IP) or Critical Illness (CI) plan. This ensures broader financial coverage and gives you peace of mind, knowing you’re protected beyond just the basics.

Wellness and preventive benefits you should tap into

Beyond covering hospital bills and major illnesses, many insurance policies — especially those offered through your corporate benefits — now include a growing list of wellness and preventive care perks. These benefits are designed to keep you healthier for longer, and to catch potential health issues before they become serious (and expensive). Yet, studies and insurer data show that men are among the least likely to fully utilise these resources, often due to lack of awareness or the assumption that these services are only necessary when symptoms appear.

Here’s what’s often included under Corporate Insurance or Flexi benefit schemes — and why men should start making full use of them:

Executive health screenings

Executive health screenings usually include checks for blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar, liver and kidney function, and in some cases, cancer markers. Many health insurance plans allow one free or subsidised health screening per year, which is especially valuable for detecting lifestyle-related conditions like diabetes or hypertension early.

Tip: Men over 40 should consider adding prostate or colorectal screening (FIT test or colonoscopy), which may not be automatically included but can often be added at discounted rates.

TCM and physiotherapy

Chronic back pain, sports injuries, and joint stiffness are common concerns — especially for men who lead active lifestyles or work long hours at desks. Some health insurance plans (especially Personal Accident Plans or IP riders) cover:

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) consultations and acupuncture
• Physiotherapy sessions post-injury or surgery

These options not only promote recovery but can help avoid dependence on long-term pain medication.

Mental health support

Work stress, performance pressure, and cultural stigma often prevent men from seeking help until a crisis hits. Fortunately, an increasing number of Corporate Insurance and Integrated Shield Plans include:

• Mental health consultations
• Telehealth sessions with psychologists
• Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP), which offer confidential counselling support for both work-related and personal issues

Using these benefits doesn’t affect your job security or HR records — it’s confidential and claimable in many cases.

Flexi benefits for wellness

Some corporate plans allow employees to claim a set annual amount (e.g. $500–$1,000) under Flexi Benefits, which can be used for wellness and lifestyle support:

Check what’s available to you

You might already be entitled to many of these perks without knowing it. To find out:

• Log into your HR benefits portal
• Check your company’s third-party administrator (TPA) app (e.g. MyHealth Wallet by iXchange)
• Ask your HR or insurance rep for a summary of your annual wellness entitlements

Remember that these benefits often reset every year, so if you don’t use them, you lose them.

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