National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Income became the first insurer in Singapore to voluntarily offer insurance coverage for children and young people with autism.
Named SpecialCare (Autism), the plan provides coverage for medical expenses due to accidents and infectious diseases.
It includes outpatient and hospitalisation expenses, daily hospital income, personal liability, death and disability due to accidents.
Unlike most insurance plans, SpecialCare (Autism) also covers reimbursement for mobility aids, psychiatric treatment and physiotherapy, home modifications and caregiver training following an accident.
The policy can be applied to individuals from 15 days to 30 years old and can be renewed up to age 75 with a high lifetime limit of either $100,000 or $150,000.
SpecialCare (Autism) was designed by NTUC Income with the consultation of Autism Resource Centre Singapore [ARC(S)] to effectively understand the profile and needs of children with autism as well as the potential impact of the policy.
NTUC Income Chief Executive Tan Suee Chieh explained that the development of this coverage is part of NTUC Income’s commitment to make insurance accessible and affordable.
“Children and young adults with autism form a segment of the uninsured. SpecialCare is a small step we are taking in the special needs space, but one that could mean a big difference to an affected family,” MrTan said.
Based on the global prevalence rate and Singapore’s 2011 population figures, ARC(S) estimates that there are about 31,000 individuals with autism in Singapore.
Original article can be found in NTUC This Week (16 August 2013)
