SINGAPORE - Those with Integrated Shield Plans (IP) will all stand to benefit from the implementation of Medishield Life next year, said Senior Minister of State for Health, Dr Amy Khor.

Speaking to reporters after a closed door dialogue session with some 250 grassroots leaders in Punggol on Sunday, Dr Khor said most of the questions raised had been about the impact of the new universal state insurance scheme on IP holders.

"We want to assure IP policy holders that they will not be disadvantaged with Medishield Life," said Dr Khor. "In fact, all IP holders are going to benefit... because they will be covered for life and for all conditions including pre-existing conditions, even if they (those latter conditions) are excluded from the current integrated plans."

Dr Khor was co-chairing Sunday's session with Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean who is also the adviser to the Pasir Ris-Punggol Grassroots Organisations. It was the second of a series of 15 dialogues with grassroots leaders island-wide organised by the Ministry of Health.