Leading homegrown financial services company Singlife has launched the Singlife Chronic Care Programme in partnership with Novo Nordisk Singapore and HMI Medical to support weight management. It is the first insurer-led initiative in Singapore designed to help customers manage obesity, improve health outcomes and address the risk of related chronic diseases.
The programme provides access to medically guided weight management, including a medical consultation and, where appropriate following assessment, prescription treatment. Available to all Singlife customers, the programme fee is S$289 per month, inclusive of GST, for customers assessed as suitable for the treatment and dosage covered by this rate. Treatment may include a prescription medicine registered with Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority, with the attending doctor determining the appropriate treatment and dosage based on the individual’s health needs and clinical suitability.
Treatment is generally intended for adults with an initial BMI of at least 30 kg/m², or between 27 and below 30 kg/m² with at least one weight-related comorbidity, and is used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Singlife customers can book a weight management consultation via hmimedical.com/singlife-chronic-care-management, either through telemedicine or in person at participating HMI OneCare clinics islandwide. Following the assessment, the doctor will recommend treatment based on the individual’s health needs and relevant clinical guidelines.
Improvements in weight and overall health will be considered when customers apply for a new policy or request a review of an existing policy, as part of Singlife’s overall underwriting assessment.
Obesity is affecting a growing proportion of Singapore residents, with more than one in eight now living with the condition. Prevalence rose from 10.5% in 2019–2020 to 12.7% in 2023–2024. As obesity can increase the risk of conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, earlier access to doctor-led weight management can help people take action sooner, while potentially reducing the longer-term health and financial burden associated with chronic disease.
“Good health and financial wellbeing are closely linked. Chronic conditions can lead to ongoing medical expenses and place a significant financial strain on individuals and families,” said Akhil Doegar, Group Head of Distribution, Singlife. “Through the Singlife Chronic Care Programme, we are helping customers take proactive steps to manage their health before more serious conditions develop. By improving access to obesity treatment, we are providing a better way to support customers on their journey to better health and make preventive care more accessible.”
“Earlier action on obesity can make a real difference to people’s long-term health. Novo Nordisk brings decades of experience in obesity care, but no organisation can improve population health alone. By bringing science, healthcare delivery and insurance together, this partnership can help more people get the support they need and strengthen the way obesity care is delivered in Singapore,” said Vincent Siow, General Manager, Novo Singapore.
“Addressing obesity requires sustained, doctor-led care, but many people still face practical barriers such as cost, convenience or simply knowing where to start,” said Dr Walter Lim, Chief Executive Officer, HMI Singapore. “This partnership helps address those barriers by making structured, evidence-based care easier to access through more than 25 clinics islandwide and telemedicine, while supporting patients with appropriate treatment over time and helping them better manage related metabolic risks such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.”
