Challenging insurance companies in Singapore over health coverage claims remains an uphill task for policyholders, according to recent parliamentary disclosures. Data reveals that insurers prevail in approximately 96% of health insurance disputes, highlighting a significant imbalance in dispute resolution outcomes.
On 4 February 2026, Secretary of State Alvin Tan provided these figures during a parliamentary session. Quoting a recent report from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), he acknowledged the visible disparity between insurance companies and policyholders in resolving claims. The information was presented in response to a query from Dr Hamid Rajar, Member of Parliament for West Coast–Jurong West GRC.
Tan noted that MAS had previously issued a similar update in November 2025. Between 2022 and 2024, the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC) managed an average of 246 mediation and adjudication cases per year. Of these, roughly 95 cases annually involved health insurance claims.
Independent assessors at FIDReC sided with policyholders in only 4% of health insurance disputes over this three-year period. In most cases, insurers successfully defended their positions, leaving policyholders able to secure either full or partial compensation in a very limited number of instances.
The table below summarises the key figures from 2022 to 2024:
| Year | Total FIDReC Cases | Health Insurance Cases | Policyholder Victories | Success Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 250 | 98 | 4 | 4.1 |
| 2023 | 240 | 92 | 4 | 4.3 |
| 2024 | 248 | 95 | 4 | 4.2 |
| Average | 246 | 95 | 4 | 4.2 |
The high success rate of insurers represents a substantial challenge for policyholders, particularly in cases involving complex medical procedures or contested coverage terms. Analysts suggest that improving the clarity of policy terms and offering proactive guidance from insurers could reduce disputes and increase the likelihood of policyholders having their claims honoured.
Despite the low success rate for claimants, FIDReC continues to provide mediation and independent assessment services, ensuring that policyholders have access to a fair adjudication process. However, the data clearly illustrates that winning a health insurance claim in Singapore remains an exceptionally difficult endeavour.