MOM Enhances Primary Healthcare System for Migrant Workers

MOM Enhances Primary Healthcare System for Migrant Workers

From 1 April 2027, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will roll out enhancements to the primary healthcare system for migrant workers through the Primary Care Plan (PCP). The enhancements follow a comprehensive review with stakeholders, which aim to improve migrant workers' access to primary care services while keeping healthcare costs affordable for employers.

2 Launched in 2022, the PCP provides accessible and affordable primary care that includes physical and telemedicine consultations for acute or chronic conditions for migrant workers at a fixed annual capitation rate. The migrant workers are enrolled with a medical service provider (known as an Anchor Operator (AO)) in their geographical zone of residence, enabling them to seek care nearer their residence and foster stronger patient-doctor relationships.

3 The PCP is integral to the primary care system and will enable early warning and response in mitigating infectious disease spread at the dormitories. It is mandatory for Work Permit and S Pass holders who either reside in dormitories^[1], or work in the Construction, Marine shipyard and Process (CMP) sectors to enrol in the PCP. Employers in other sectors such as Services or Manufacturing can also enrol their Work Permit and S Pass holders onto the PCP.

4 Since its implementation, the PCP has been well received by migrant workers - 9 in 10 shared that the PCP clinic consultations are affordable and accessible.^[2]In addition, regular clinical quality audits revealed that the AOs provide safe and appropriate care. The fixed annual capitation rate also provides cost certainty to employers.

5 To improve healthcare accessibility for migrant workers while keeping the capitation rates affordable, MOM will consolidate the current six geographical sectors into four zones to achieve greater economies of scale, and increase the number of PCP clinics in each zone (Zonal Medical Centres, Dedicated Migrant Worker Clinics and community clinics^[3]). This helps to keep the costs reasonable for employers, and provides more PCP clinics close to the workers' dormitories so that it is more convenient for the workers to see a doctor. Taken together, these enhancements will improve clinic access for the migrant workers and keep healthcare costs affordable.

6 Co-payment for physical clinics and telemedicine serviceswill be standardised at $5 per consultation, taking into considerationthe increased costs of telemedicine delivery.

7 In response to AfA's^[4]recommendation in November 2024 on potential duplication in coverage, MOM will allow employers of S Pass holders from the CMP sectors who are not residing in dormitories to opt out these workers from the PCP, if they are covered by corporate healthcare plans of comparable coverage. This will take effect from early 2026, ahead of the other changes. MOM will provide more information with employers ahead of implementation.

8 MOM will also develop a PCP Enrolment Portal to simplify the registration process, making it easier for employers to enrol their workers and manage their plans. This aims to reduce the administrative load for employers and improve overall efficiency.

9 Minister of Manpower, Dr Tan See Leng said, "We are committed to providing quality, affordable and accessible healthcare for our migrant workers. In enhancing the PCP, we have prioritised further improving workers' accessibility to primary care services and the quality of care, while keeping costs manageable for employers. The enhancements will also improve the resilience of our healthcare system, reducing the strain on our public healthcare resources and ensure that we are better prepared for future health crises."

8 MOM will be launching a Requestfor Proposal (RFP) in Q1 2026 to invite service providers to submit proposals for the enhanced PCP. More details will be provided when ready.

FOOTNOTE

[1] This refers to Purpose-built Dormitories licensed under the Foreign Employee Dormitories Act 2015, Factory-converted Dormitories, Construction Temporary Quarters and Temporary Occupation Licence Quarters.

[2] NUS Study conducted in September 2024

[3] Zonal Medical Centres are located within recreational centres. Dedicated Migrant Worker Clinics are located within large dormitories, typically housing over 10,000 workers. Community clinics are typically located near where most migrant workers stay.

[4] The Alliance for Action (AfA) on Business Competitiveness was established in February 2024 to look into how businesses can remain competitive amid an uncertain global economic environment.