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FWMI stands for Foreign Worker Medical Insurance (FWMI) is a mandatory requirement for employers of foreign workers who are Work Permit and S-Pass holders.

Employers are required to purchase and maintain a minimum medical insurance coverage of at least $60,000 per year for each Work Permit and S-Pass holder for non-work-related accident or illness, inpatient hospitalisation and day surgery.

This compulsory medical insurance requirement was introduced by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in tandem with the withdrawal of healthcare subsidies for foreigners since 1 Jan 2008 in order to help employers manage the potentially high medical bills of their foreign workers. This requirement is for basic coverage, but employers are still responsible for any uninsured medical expenses of their foreign workers.

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, employers are responsible for the well-being of their foreign employees which includes providing adequate medical treatments and paying for their medical expenses. For this reason, employers are encouraged to buy higher coverage to protect from any excessive medical bills.

What does FWMI cover?

Foreign Worker Medical Insurance covers the following non-work related hospitalisation or day surgery expenses:

• Pre-hospitalisation/Surgery specialist consultation (within 90 days prior to inpatient treatment or surgery)
• Pre-hospitalisation/Surgery diagnostic services (within 90 days prior to inpatient treatment or surgery)
• Hospital room and board (4 or 6 bedded wards in Government/Restructured hospitals)
• Intensive Care Unit
• Surgery charges, operating theatre, and anesthetist fees
• In-hospital physician’s visit
• Post-hospitalisation/Surgery treatment (within 90 days immediately following discharge from hospital or surgery)
• Hospital miscellaneous services and supplies
• Emergency outpatient treatment (optional)
• Personal Accident Benefit (non-work-related accident) (optional)
• Death benefit

Do I need Foreign Worker Medical  Insurance?

Foreign Worker Medical Insurance (FWMI) is a mandatory requirement for employers of foreign workers who are Work Permit and S-Pass holders.

Is it illegal to not purchase Foreign Worker Medical Insurance when required?

Yes, it is. Employers who don’t purchase Foreign Worker Medical Insurance can be jailed up to 12 months, fined up to $10,000, or both.