http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/forum/story/0,5562,356409,00.html?
I have to be frank. I suffer from clinical depression but with the
daily medication that I've been taking for the past two years, I am
on the road to recovery
I am still working in a publicly listed company and my performance
has been deemed satisfactory.
In July, I applied for my Home Protection Scheme (the compulsory
mortgage insurance for HDB flat) with the CPF but to my horror, it
decided not to insure me.
This is unfair as there are provisions in existing insurance
underwriting practices to negotiate a fair outcome for myself and
other mental illness patients without jeopardising the benefits of
the other insured members of the policy.
Yet the CPF has chosen not to make any of the provisions available
to me.
According to the pamphlets of the Institute of Mental Health (IMH),
'research has shown that up to 10 per cent of men and 20
per cent of women will suffer from depressive illness during their
lifetimes.'
These unfortunate people could include your friends or family
members. If you have been reading the newspapers, you will discover
that some popular stars also suffer from a mental condition due to
stress or traumatic life experiences. With appropriate regular
treatment they are able to lead normal working lives just like
me.
By denying HPS coverage outright, what will happen if I die or
suffer total and permanent disability as a result of a motor
accident or a major illness such as cancer?
Because my mortgage insurance has been refused by the CPF, my
husband will be unfairly burdened to take up the entire sum of the
remaining mortgage, which now adds up to nearly $200,000.
There is no scientific evidence that mental patients have a
statistically significant increased likelihood of accidental death
or cancer incidence.
Moreover, I am not one of the seriously-ill patients residing in a
psychiatric hospital on a long-term basis, if this is the
stereotyped image that many readers visualise.
Certainly, my insurance risks are lower than other HDB flatowners
who refuse to seek treatment or those who do not disclose their
medical condition to the CPF.
It is therefore merciless to deny a single cent of mortgage
insurance for mental patients like me. Such unfair treatment is
definitely against our Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's call for a
more inclusive society.
The Singapore Association for Mental Health and Action Group for
Mental Illness have declared that it is unfair for mental patients
to be denied insurance coverage.
The CPF argues that it has to safeguard the economic interests of
the CPF Board and its members. However, there are options available
to extend HPS coverage to me without jeopardising the interests of
others who are insured in the same pool.
Some common practices already adopted by most insurance companies
for customers with pre-existing medical conditions include the
following terms:
- Reduce the sum assured. For example, instead of 100 per cent
cover for the outstanding loan amount, the CPF Board may wish to
offer coverage for say, 80 per cent.
- Include a waiting period. For example, most life insurance
policies in Singapore specify that death or permanent disability
due to suicide is not covered within the first year after the
commencement of policy but after the waiting period, death by
suicide is still payable by the life policy.
- Specify a policy exclusion for the pre-existing condition.
However, this clause is usually applicable for hospitalisation or
critical illness policies and not applicable for life and permanent
disability policies. Since the HPS is only claimable for death and
permanent disability, I hope the CPF can follow the prevailing
market practices as well.
- Increase the premium to a reasonable level and acceptable to both
parties.
With so many options available, it makes me wonder why the CPF
Board chose the simple yet cruel decision to deny me any coverage
for the Home Protection Scheme. It could have applied some of the
common industry practices listed above to negotiate a fairer deal
for itself and me.
As a statutory board of the Singapore Government, I strongly urge
the CPF Board to exercise its common sense and compassion and
reinstate my HPS coverage with immediate effect.
This is in line with our country's vision for a more inclusive and
compassionate society, as well as with current insurance
practices.
Ng Siew Choo (Ms)
