Don’t Just Rely on Your Health Insurance—Here’s What Else Can Help When You’re Down with HFMD or Dengue Fever

From dengue fever to hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), some sicknesses just keep rearing their ugly heads among us, making the headlines time and time again. 

In 2025, HFMD cases among preschoolers surged to a daily average of 61, exceeding figures from the past 2 years. Meanwhile, dengue fever cases have dipped in 2025, but NEA has warned that a global uptick in dengue fever and Singapore’s low population immunity could trigger another spike.

With these recent surges, it’s hard to predict when you might fall ill or when your child might bring home HFMD from preschool. On top of that, HFMD is highly contagious, so there’s always the worry of passing it on to others. A friend of mine caught HFMD from her child and shared how painful her mouth sores were, making eating nearly impossible. 

As if the discomfort wasn’t enough, falling sick often means a trip to the doctor and additional expenses, which can be especially frustrating when you're already feeling unwell.

But here’s some good news: common sicknesses like dengue fever and HFMD can be covered by insurance.

Sicknesses you didn’t know could be covered under personal accident insurance

Think a personal accident (PA) insurance plan only covers accidents such as falls, sprains and strains? Think again. PA plans have expanded to include coverage beyond just accidental injuries. 

An accident is commonly defined as an event that results in a sudden, unforeseen and involuntary injury, independent of sickness, disease or any other causes. This includes injuries sustained from—but not limited to—the following events:

• Traffic collision
• Slip and fall
• Mishaps from sports and leisure activities. This includes scuba diving and parachuting for leisure, conducted under licensed supervision, with safety measures taken

PA plans also cover specific sicknesses such as dengue fever, Zika virus, food poisoning, or HFMD. Of course, coverage varies across different PA plans, and you should check your plan’s coverage for more details on the list of sicknesses covered.

One such PA plan that offers coverage for unexpected sicknesses is the My GREAT PA Plan, introduced by OCBC Bank on 30 Apr 2025. This personal accident insurance plan covers up to $500 in medical expense reimbursement for each incident of specific sicknesses, including HFMD, food poisoning, dengue fever, and Zika virus.

But that’s not all. Other benefits include:

• $1 million accidental death coverage
• Up to $1,000 per accident in medical reimbursement that includes physiotherapy expenses (includes up to $500 per accident for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), chiropractic and specified allied health professionals treatment^)
• $200 daily hospital cash (up to 180 days per accident or per specific sickness)
• Worldwide coverage, including accidents that occur overseas

Coverage for My GREAT PA Plan 

*Total payout includes hospital cash, which is paid per day regardless of medical bill amount.

Claim up to $500 per covered sickness, each time it happens

As shown above, you can claim up to $500 per incident for each of the 4 specific sicknesses—HFMD, food poisoning, dengue fever, and Zika virus—not just once per covered sickness, but each time you contract it (as long as the claim meets eligibility criteria).

Accident medical reimbursement of up to $1,000 per accident

For accidents, the plan covers up to $1,000 in medical reimbursement per accident. If you’re hospitalised, you’ll also receive $200 in daily hospital cash—paid directly to you for each day you’re warded, for up to 180 days. Unlike an Integrated Shield Plan, which reimburses your medical bills, this benefit provides cash that you can use however you need, from transport to daily essentials.

Coverage for treatments after an accident

Follow-up treatments such as physiotherapy, TCM, chiropractic, and specified allied health professionals treatments are also covered. Just note:

• There is a $500 sub-limit per accident for TCM, chiropractic, and specified allied health professionals treatments ^
• Physiotherapy is not subject to this sub-limit, so you can use up to the full $1,000 accidental medical expenses reimbursement limit for it

Worldwide coverage with no annual claim limit

My GREAT PA Plan provides worldwide coverage, so you’re protected whether accidents happen at home or overseas.

Unlike some personal accident policies that impose an annual claim limit (e.g. $5,000 per year), this plan doesn’t cap the number of claims you can make. Your coverage remains active after each claim, and you can continue to receive payouts for every qualifying accident or sickness.

For example, if you experience six separate accidents in a year, you can claim up to $1,000 per accident, rather than being restricted to a total combined payout.

The only exception? If a claim is made for accidental death, the policy will terminate.

What you need to prepare to make a claim

The only thing to note is that you’ll need to pay for your medical treatment upfront, then claim the costs back later.

Submitting your claims for My GREAT PA Plan is simple with the Great Eastern App. It’s fast, fuss-free, and there’s no need to download any forms. Just follow these steps:

1. Hold on to all your medical receipts, doctor’s letters, and MCs. (Pro tip: take clear photos right after your visit or request a soft copy from the clinic.)
2. Log in to the Great Eastern app and go to the claims section
3. Enter the accident or covered sickness details and upload your supporting documents
4. Submit your claim directly through the app

That’s it, no paperwork, no printing, no stress. 

Image: OCBC

All-in-one plan that offers solid value

Still weighing up whether the My GREAT PA Plan is right for you? Here’s a quick look at some of its key benefits:

• A flat rate of $0.84/day* for those aged 18-54
• $15 cash if you sign up by 30 Sep 2025 via the OCBC app
• $1 million payout in the event of accidental death
• Backed by Great Eastern, a trusted and established insurer

My GREAT PA Plan is exclusively available to existing OCBC customers and can only be signed up for through the OCBC app.

If you’re considering personal accident coverage, this plan could offer an affordable and practical way to protect yourself from both sickness and accidents.

For more details or to apply, visit the OCBC website or head to the OCBC app (Login > Apply > Insurance > My Great PA Plan).

This post was written in collaboration with OCBC. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the same objective lens. We are committed to providing the best information in order for you to make personal financial decisions with confidence.