When you are hospitalised, if your hospital can obtain a letter of guarantee from your insurer, you can reduce the amount of your upfront payment to the hospital. A letter of guarantee is an assurance of payment offered by insurers to hospitals, on behalf of a patient, for the portion of the hospital bill covered by insurance.

To process claims, insurers may require your medical records. Either you as a claimant, or your insurer, can request medical records from medical institutions. This request however, usually comes at a cost from $75 to $250. N

Currently, both NTUC Enhanced Incomeshield and Aviva MyShield offer letter of guarantee and absorb the cost of obtaining medical records.