The Importance of the Mandatory Primary Care Plan for Foreign Workers: An Employer's Guide

Introduction

In recent years, Singapore has taken steps to improve the healthcare and well-being of foreign workers. One of these initiatives is the mandatory implementation of a Primary Care Plan (PCP) for all eligible foreign workers. The PCP is a comprehensive healthcare plan that covers medical treatment, health screenings, and vaccinations for foreign workers in Singapore.

What Is The PCP and What Does It Cover?

From April 1st, 2022, Singapore employers need to ensure that migrant workers in Construction, Manufacturing and Process (CMP) sectors are provided a Primary Care Plan (PCP). After all, looking after your workers matters!

This new mandatory requirement was recently announced by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and aims to provide migrant workers in these sectors with affordable and accessible healthcare services near their place of residence.

The PCP is a mandatory healthcare plan for eligible foreign workers in Singapore. It covers a wide range of health services, including medical treatment, health screenings, and vaccinations. The purpose of the PCP is to ensure that foreign workers receive adequate medical care, which in turn leads to better health and overall well-being.

Instead, it complements this requirement by providing workers with integrated healthcare services that include acute/chronic consultations, telemedicine, and mobile clinical teams.

Who Is Eligible For The PCP?

Eligibility criteria for the PCP include nationality and type of work permit. In general, foreign workers who hold a Work Permit or an S Pass and who are working in construction, marine, or process sectors are eligible for the PCP. The enrollment process is straightforward and can be completed through the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website or through an appointed PCP provider.

Under the PCP, migrant workers are also entitled to one statutory medical examination for work permit application or renewal, which includes a medical consultation, physical and clinical examination, chest x-ray, and blood tests. Additionally, one annual basic health screening is provided, which includes a physical examination and a mental health assessment. Scheduled transportation to and from the medical center within the sector is also provided, including ambulance and other special transport services to other medical facilities, if necessary.

How do you know what the PCP cost is for your specific migrant workers?

The first two digits of the resident's postal code should be examined to identify the local area office for PCP purchase, and contact the AO in charge of your sector to buy PCP.

For better understanding, check out the below table:

Employer Responsibilities

Employers have a critical role to play in the PCP. They are responsible for funding the plan and ensuring that their foreign workers are enrolled in the PCP. Employers who fail to comply with the PCP requirements can face significant penalties, including fines and potential legal liability.

Employers need to purchase the PCP from one of these six anchor operators, based on the location of their workers. The PCP costs between $108 and $138 per worker per year, depending on the location and number of workers.

Note: The annual cost is payable in monthly instalments via GIRO only.

Employers can pay for the PCP in monthly installments, with the option of terminating the payments as needed.

This new initiative by MOM is aimed at providing affordable and accessible healthcare services to migrant workers and supports the government's proactive public health surveillance to minimize the risk of future disease outbreaks in the community. Employers should take note of this new mandatory requirement and ensure compliance with it.

We will show you the overall breakdown for monthly charges for migrant workers as required as below.

Benefits of the PCP for Employers and Foreign Workers

The PCP provides a range of benefits for both employers and foreign workers. For employers, the PCP helps lower healthcare costs and improve worker health and productivity.

For foreign workers, the PCP provides access to comprehensive medical care, including health screenings and vaccinations.

The PCP also reduces legal liabilities for employers, as it helps ensure that foreign workers receive the medical care they need.

Under the PCP, migrant workers have unlimited access to acute/chronic consultations from MOM Medical Centers, Telemedicine, or Mobile Clinical Teams. Such consultations can involve simple procedures such as foreign body removal, wound dressing, toileting and suturing, and therapeutic injections.

Tele-consultations are also available, and medication can be delivered on the same day for consultations given between 8 am and 5.59 pm, and by 12 pm on the following day for consultations sought after 6 pm to 7.59 am

The operators charge an additional medical treatment fee of $5 for each visit to the medical center and $2 for each telemedicine service.

What Steps Are Needed To Buy PCP?

Each anchor operator has their own procedure, however, they are quite similar in the process. So here's how and what you need to buy PCP for your migrant workers.

StarMed

Contact them via phone (9655 2101), email (occhealth@starmedspecialist.com or whatsapp) and prepare the following documents in details.

• Name
• Designation
• Company Name
• Contact Number
• Email
• Location of Dorm/Community Residing
• Postal Code
  
  

SATA

Send your verification details to mwcare@sata.com.sg.

• Name of company / entities
• Sector in which the migrant worker resides
• Migrant workforce size

Then an Account Manager will guide you through the process.

In addition, you’ll need 2 documents to onboard:

• Your company ACRA must have obtained their records at minimum 6 months prior
• Provided credit facilities form by the SATA's account manager
  
  

Fullerton Healthcare Group (FHG)

To register your company and its Medical Wokers, navigate to the portal at http://pcp.fullertonhealth.com/ where you will need to provide a Letter of Authorization, as well as downloading and completing a GIRO Form for further processing of registration details..

Once the registration application is completed, eligible MWs (migrant workers) can enroll on the platform after implementation.

St Andrew's Mission Hospital

St Andrew’s Mission Hospital does not provide exact steps for registration. Interested employers can contact them through phone (8126 9758) or email (samwmc@sach.org.sg).

Conclusion

The Mandatory Primary Care Plan (PCP) is a comprehensive healthcare plan for eligible foreign workers in Singapore. It covers a wide range of health services, including medical treatment, health screenings, and vaccinations. Employers have a critical role to play in the PCP, including funding and ensuring that their foreign workers are enr olled. The PCP provides a range of benefits for both employers and foreign workers, including lower healthcare costs, improved worker health and productivity, and reduced legal liabilities.

Companies with a comprehensive medical benefits plan through Mednefits may be able to cover their MWs healthcare costs while companies with their own medical insurance are advised to check with the insurer for required coverage.

If you're using Mednefits, remember that there is a co-payment required. This co-payment can either be $2 or $5, but it's reimbursed to the individuals as a non-panel claimed amount, meaning they don't have to incur any cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the PCP?

Eligible foreign workers include those who hold a Work Permit or an S Pass and who are working in construction, marine, or process sectors.

What does the PCP cover?

The PCP covers medical treatment, health screenings, and vaccinations for foreign workers in Singapore.

What are the employer's responsibilities in the PCP?

Employers are responsible for funding the PCP and ensuring that their foreign workers are enrolled. They also face penalties for non-compliance.

What are the benefits of the PCP for employers and foreign workers?

The PCP provides a range of benefits, including lower healthcare costs, improved worker health and productivity, and reduced legal liabilities.

Who provides the PCP?

The PCP is provided by various healthcare providers in Singapore. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has a list of approved PCP providers on its website.

Read also: Step-by-Step Guide: Top 7 Reasons Why SMEs Should Buy Work Injury Compensation Insurance

Read also: Employment Of Foreign Manpower Act: 7 Things You Must Know Before Hiring Foreign Worker In Singapore

Read also: Employment Pass Eligibility: Educational Qualifications Is Required By September 2023

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