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Key facts on Primary Healthcare System and Primary Care Plan
From 1 April 2022, under Primary Healthcare System (PHS), you must buy a Primary Care Plan (PCP) for eligible workers. You can buy from Anchor Operators (AOs).
Before COVID-19, migrant workers lacked access to accessible and affordable healthcare services near their residence, workplaces and recreational areas. COVID-19 has exposed the care and systemic gaps in migrant workers’ healthcare services.
The PHS provides integrated healthcare services for eligible workers.
At a glance
What is it |
Employers must buy PCP for eligible workers which will cover most of the workers’ primary healthcare needs under a fixed scope of services. Services include:
Eligible workers can get these services at:
|
Who must be covered under PCP |
Work Permit (excluding helpers) and S Pass holders who:
OR
|
How much is the PCP |
$108 to $138 per worker per year, pay in monthly instalments. |
When to buy PCP |
For New Workers:
For renewal:
All eligible workers must have PCP by 31 March 2023, even if their renewal is after 31 March 2023. |
| Who to buy PCP from |
MOM has appointed 4 Anchor Operators:
|
Primary Care Plan (PCP)
From 1 April 2022, under Primary Healthcare System (PHS), you must buy a Primary Care Plan (PCP) for eligible workers. You can buy from Anchor Operators (AOs).
Before COVID-19, migrant workers lacked access to accessible and affordable healthcare services near their residence, workplaces and recreational areas. COVID-19 has exposed the care and systemic gaps in migrant workers’ healthcare services.
The PHS provides integrated healthcare services for eligible workers.
Eligibility
A PCP is mandatory for Work Permit holders (excluding MDWs) and S Pass holders who:
- Stay in dormitories.
OR
- Work in CMP sectors.
All eligible workers must have PCP by 31 March 2023, even if their renewal is after 31 March 2023.
A PCP is optional if your worker doesn’t stay in a dormitory, or doesn’t work in a CMP sector. However, MOM strongly encourages you to buy PCP for your workers for better protection against unexpected healthcare bills.
If your workers are not covered under a PCP, they can still get medical help at any MOM Medical Centres based on their fees.
Benefits
There are 3 key benefits:
- Provide quality, accessible and affordable primary care to migrant workers, and reduce strain to the public healthcare system.
- Support proactive public health surveillance to minimise risk of outbreak in the community.
- Provide affordable prices for both employers and migrant workers.
What services are included
A PCP includes:
- One statutory medical examination for work pass application or renewal.
- Unlimited acute and chronic consultations.
- One annual basic health screening.
- Telemedicine and medication delivery.
- Transportation to and from dormitories and MOM Medical Centres.
Tip: Read the full list of services.
How much is it
Prices range from $108 to $138 per worker per year, payable by monthly instalments.
You must buy a PCP for eligible workers from Anchor Operators based on where they stay.
Your workers must also pay additional fees:
- $5 (excluding GST) for medical treatment at each visit to the medical centre
- $2 (excluding GST) for each telemedicine service
PCP Related Questions (FAQ)
Why is there a need for this new Primary Healthcare System for workers?MOM wants to address healthcare gaps identified during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is done by providing integrated, accessible and affordable healthcare services to your workers, and these services will be culturally attuned to your workers and accessible at where they stay, work and find recreation. MOM also wants to provide a care system for proactive public health surveillance to reduce risk of future disease outbreaks. |
My workers are young and healthy. Why must I still buy a Primary Care Plan (PCP) for them?Based on the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic, you need to provide accessible and affordable primary healthcare for your workers as the first line of defense. For a start, the PCP is mandated for workers staying in dormitories or working in the construction, marine shipyard and process (CMP) sectors. |
Why are the Primary Care Plan (PCP) prices different? Will they be revised in the future?The PCP prices are based on an open competitive tender and reflect the different costs to build the medical centres and the number of workers in each sector. MOM will review the prices regularly to ensure that it continues to remain affordable for employers and that the scope of the PCP meets the care needs of workers. |
I have an existing outpatient primary care plan for my workers. Do I need to switch to Primary Care Plan (PCP)?Yes, from 1 April 2022, you must buy the PCP for eligible workers from Anchor Operators. With a PCP, you can expect significant cost saving. A PCP also encourages workers to seek appropriate care to manage their chronic diseases before they worsen and require more complex and expensive specialist care. |
I have a pre-existing relationship with an onsite GP clinic or doctor at my worker’s workplace. Must I still buy the Primary Care Plan (PCP)?Yes, from 1 April 2022, you must buy the PCP for eligible workers from Anchor Operators. However, MOM has started to engage some of these onsite GP clinics to include them as designated GP clinics or as partners with MOM’s Anchor Operators. These clinics can then be part of the new Primary Healthcare System. |
What should I do if my worker requires medical services outside of the Primary Care Plan (PCP)?The PCP is expected to cover most of your worker’s primary care needs. If your worker needs additional medical services in the medical centre, these services will be as charged by the Anchor Operator. Otherwise, your worker will be referred out for further investigation and treatment. You should refer to your employment contract terms and conditions to check who needs to pay for such cases. |
Does the Primary Care Plan (PCP) replace the current insurance plans that I bought for my workers?No, the Primary Care Plan (PCP) does not replace the mandatory medical insurance requirement. The PCP covers outpatient primary healthcare services, including consults and treatments for acute (fever, flu) and chronic (hypertension) conditions. The existing medical insurance covers your workers’ inpatient care, day surgery and hospitalisation bills. |
Click below to learn more or download the Guides pertaining to PCP
Information for Workers about PCP |
PCP Services |
Designated PCP Medical Centres |
How to buy PCP |
FAQ on PCP |
Source of Information:
For all types of Work Passes with their related matters is from the Ministry Of Manpower (MOM), TAFEP &/or Immigration And Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore accordingly.
For all other matters are from the relevant Authorities or Agencies of Government of Singapore.
