MAS Notice 117 Training and Competency Requirement: Health Insurance

Training and Competency Requirement: Health Insurance Notice No : MAS 117 Issue Date : 26 January 2004 (last revised on 16 April 2020*) (Refer to endnote for history of amendments) TRAINING AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT: HEALTH INSURANCE Introduction

1. This Notice is issued pursuant to sections 35TA and 64(2) of the Insurance Act
   (Cap. 142) [“the Act”] and—
   (a) applies to—
   (i) a direct insurer;
   (ii) a direct insurance broker;
   (iii) an exempt direct insurance broker;
   (iv) a licensed financial adviser; or
   (v) an exempt financial adviser, which carries on a business in relation to health insurance products, whether or not it carries on any other business; and (b) appliesto— (i) any person employed by or who act as an insurance agent for a direct insurer, other than a Trade Specific Agent; [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2010, wef 11 Aug 2010]

Training and Competency Requirement: Health Insurance (ii) any person employed by or who act for a direct insurance broker or an exempt direct insurance broker;or (iii) any person employed by or who acts as an appointed representative for a licensed financial adviser or an exempt financial adviser, [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2010, wef 26 Nov 2010] who provides advice on or arranges contracts of insurance or both, in respect of health insurance products. 1A. This Notice sets out the following:
(a) minimum examination requirements; and
(b) continuing professional development (“CPD”) requirements in respect of shield plans. [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2015, wef 1 Jan 2016] Definitions
2. For the purpose of this Notice—
“Agents’ Registration Board” means the board set up by the General Insurance Association of Singapore (“GIAS”) to register any general insurance agent acting for one or more licensed insurers carrying on general business; [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2010, wef 11 Aug 2010] [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2015, wef 1 Jan 2016] “business day” means any calendar day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday; [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2020, wef 16 Apr 2020]

Training and Competency Requirement: Health Insurance “exempt financial adviser” means a person exempt from holding a financial adviser’s licence under section 23(1)(a) to (e) of the Financial Advisers Act (Cap. 110); “exempt direct insurance broker” means a person exempt from registration as a direct insurance broker under section 35ZN(1)(a) to (ea) of the Act; [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2010, wef 11 Aug 2010] “health insurance product” means a life policy with accident and health benefits or an accident and health policy, but excludes such policy where accident and health benefits are paid out only— (a) in the event of an injury to, or disability of, the insured as a result of an accident; (b) in the event that the insured becomes total and permanently disabled; (c) on the death of the insured by accidental cause; or (d) on the occurrence of a combination of the events set out in (a) to (c); [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2010, wef 11 Aug 2010] [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2015, wef 1 Jan 2016] “integrated shield plan” has the same meaning as in regulation 2 of the MediShield Life Scheme (Private Medical Insurance Scheme) Regulations; [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2015, wef 1 Jan 2016] “MediShield Life Scheme” means the Scheme established under section 3 of the MediShield Life Scheme Act 2015 (No. 4 of 2015); [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2015, wef 1 Jan 2016] “non-integrated shield plan” has the same meaning as in regulation 2 of the MediShield Life Scheme (Private Medical Insurance Scheme) Regulations; [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2015, wef 1 Jan 2016] “relevant date” means the earliest of the dates mentioned in paragraph 7A(c), (d) or (e); [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2020, wef 16 Apr 2020]

Training and Competency Requirement: Health Insurance “shield plan” means an integrated shield plan or non-integrated shield plan; and [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2015, wef 1 Jan 2016] “Trade Specific Agent” means an insurance agent for a direct general insurer who is — (a) not carrying on business in Singapore as his core business; and (b) registered with the Agents’ Registration Board pursuant to paragraph 6 of MAS Notice 211. [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2010, wef 11 Aug 2010] [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2015, wef 1 Jan 2016]
3. The expressions used in this Notice shall, except where expressly defined in this
Notice or where the context otherwise requires, have the same respective meanings as in the Act. MINIMUM EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS Requirements to pass the health insurance module
4. Subject to paragraphs 6, 7 and 7A, any individual—
[MAS 117 (Amendment) 2020, wef 16 Apr 2020] (a) who— (i) is employed by or acts as an insurance agent for a direct insurer, other than a Trade Specific Agent; [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2010, wef 11 Aug 2010] (ii) is employed by or acts for a direct insurance broker or an exempt direct insurance broker;or (iii) is employed by or acts as an appointed representative for a licensed financial adviser or an exemptfinancial adviser; [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2010, wef 11 Aug 2010]

Training and Competency Requirement: Health Insurance and (b) who wishes to provide advice on or arrange contracts of insurance or both, in respect of health insurance products, is required to pass the health insurance module conducted by the Singapore College of Insurance (SCI).
5. Subject to paragraph 7B, a direct insurer, a direct insurance broker, an exempt
direct insurance broker, a licensed financial adviser or an exempt financial adviser shall ensure that any individual it employs or, where applicable, who acts for it, acts as its insurance agent or acts as its appointed representative, complies with the requirement in paragraph 4. [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2010, wef 26 Nov 2010] [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2020, wef 16 Apr 2020] Exclusion
6. Any individual—
(a) who, prior to 1 January 2002,—
(i) is employed by or acts as an insurance agentfor a direct insurer; or (ii) is employed by or acts for a direct insurance broker or an exempt direct insurance brokers; and (b) who had been providing advice or arranging contracts of insurance or both, in respect of health insurance products that contain what is commonly known as critical illness benefit as the only accident and health benefitsin the product, [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2015, wef 1 Jan 2016] is not required to comply with the requirement in paragraph 4 if he has completed a non- examinable course on critical illness insurance conducted by SCI or an approved in-house course covering SCI’s syllabus on critical illness insurance by 1 July 2002.

Training and Competency Requirement: Health Insurance
7. Any individual—
(a) who, —
(i) is employed by or acts as an insurance agent for a direct insurer; (ii) is employed by or acts for a direct insurance broker or an exempt direct insurance brokers; (iii) is employed by or acts as an appointed representative for a licensed financial adviser or an exempt financial adviser; [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2004, wef 13 Feb 2004] [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2010, wef 26 Nov 2010] and (b) who provides advice on or arranges contracts of insurance or both, in respect of health insurance products that contain what are commonly known as critical illness benefit or hospital income benefit or both, as the only accident and health benefits in the product, is not required to comply with the requirement in paragraph 4 if he has obtained passes in any of the following modules:
(i) Certificate in General Insurance - Basic Insurance Concepts & Principles and Personal General Insurance; (iii) Capital Markets & Financial Advisory Services Module 9: Life Insurance and Investment-Linked Policies. [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2004, wef 13 Feb 2004]

Training and Competency Requirement: Health Insurance Relief Measures During the COVID-19 Situation 7A An individual (a) who — (i) is employed by or is appointed to act as an insurance agent for a direct insurer; (ii) is employed by or is appointed to act for a direct insurance broker or an exempt direct insurance broker; or (iii) is employed by or is appointed to act as an appointed representative for a licensed financial adviser or an exempt financial adviser, and (b) who wishes to commence providing advice on or arranging contracts of insurance or both, in respect of health insurance products, between 16 April 2020 and 30 September 2020 (both dates inclusive), is not required to comply with the requirement in paragraph 4, for a period of six months (or such longer period as may be allowed by the Authority in writing) from the earliest of the following dates:
(a) the date the individual commences providing advice on health insurance products; (b) the date the individual commences arranging contracts of insurance in respect of health insurance products; (c) the date the individual commences providing advice on health insurance products and arranging contracts of insurance in respect of health insurance products. [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2020, wef 16 Apr 2020]

Training and Competency Requirement: Health Insurance 7B Any – (a) direct insurer which employs, or appoints to act as its insurance agent, an individual mentioned in paragraph 7A(a)(i) who wishes to commence activities mentioned in paragraph 7A(b); (b) a direct insurance broker or exempt direct insurance broker, which employs, or appoints to act for it, an individual mentioned in paragraph 7A(a)(ii) who wishes to commence activities mentioned in paragraph 7A(b); or (c) licensed financial adviser or exempt financial adviser, which employs, or appoints to act as its appointed representative, an individual mentioned in paragraph 7A(a)(iii) who wishes to commence activities mentioned in paragraph 7A(b); is not required to comply with the requirement in paragraph 5 in respect of that individual for a period of six months from the relevant date (or such longer period as may be allowed by the Authority in writing). [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2020, wef 16 Apr 2020] 7C A direct insurer, a direct insurance broker, an exempt direct insurance broker, a licensed financial adviser or an exempt financial adviser which relies on the exemption under paragraph 7B must for the duration where the individual relies on the exemption under paragraph 7A (called in this paragraph the “relevant individual”) – (a) put in place measures1 to properly supervise the activities and conduct of the relevant individual, including measures to ensure that all obligations assumed and liabilities incurred by the relevant individual are properly fulfilled, whether actual or contingent and howsoever arising, in relation to the provision of advice on or arrangement of contracts of insurance or both, in respect of health insurance products, by the relevant individual; and

1 The direct insurer, direct insurance broker, exempt direct insurance broker, licensed financial adviser and exempt financial adviser may refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Relief Measures Relating to COVID-19 Situation - General Insurance and Health Insurance Examinations and Continuing Professional Development Requirements.

Training and Competency Requirement: Health Insurance (b) put in place measures, including proper training, to ensure that the relevant individual understands and complies with all Singapore laws that are relevant to the provision of advice on or arrangement of contracts of insurance or both, in respect of health insurance products, by the relevant individual. [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2020, wef 16 Apr 2020] 7D Where a direct insurer, a direct insurance broker, an exempt direct insurance broker, a licensed financial adviser or an exempt financial adviser (called in this paragraph a “relevant person”) employs or, where applicable, appoints to act for it, or appoints to act as its insurance agent or appointed representative, as the case may be, an individual who relies on the exemption under paragraph 7A, the relevant person must submit to the Authority all of the following information, within three business days from the relevant date – (a) the individual’s name; (b) the relevant date; (c) the individual’s representative number, if applicable. [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2020, wef 16 Apr 2020] Additional requirements
8. A direct insurer shall not accept any business in respect of any health insurance
product from any individual whom it employs or who acts as its insurance agent and who has not complied with the requirement in paragraph 4 and does not fall under paragraphs 6, 7 or 7A of thisNotice. [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2020, wef 16 Apr 2020]

Training and Competency Requirement: Health Insurance
9. A direct insurance broker, an exempt direct insurance broker, a licensed financial
adviser or an exempt financial adviser shall not pass on any business in respect of any health insurance product to an insurer if it is received from any individual whom it employs or, where applicable, who acts for it or act as its appointed representative, and who has not complied with the requirement in paragraph 4 and does not fall under paragraphs 6, 7 or 7A of this Notice. [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2010, wef 26 Nov 2010] [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2015, wef 1 Jan 2016] [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2020, wef 16 Apr 2020] CPD REQUIREMENTS IN RESPECT OF SHIELD PLANS Minimum number of CPD training hours required 9A. Any individual— (a) who— (i) is employed by or acts as an insurance agent for a direct insurer, other than a Trade Specific Agent; (ii) is employed by or acts for a direct insurance broker or an exempt direct insurance broker; or (iii) is employed by or acts as an appointed representative for a licensed financial adviser or an exempt financial adviser; and (b) who wishes to provide advice on or arrange contracts of insurance or both, in respect of shield plans,

Training and Competency Requirement: Health Insurance is required to complete a minimum of 2 hours of structured CPD training2 on – (i) MediShield Life Scheme content; (ii) shield plan content; or (iii) a combination of MediShield Life Scheme content and shield plan content, before the end of each calendar year (or within such longer period as may be allowed by the Authority in writing). [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2015, wef 1 Jan 2016] [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2020, wef 16 Apr 2020] Exclusion 9B. Any individual— (a) who— (i) is employed by or acts as an insurance agent for a direct insurer, other than a Trade Specific Agent; (ii) is employed by or acts for a direct insurance broker or an exempt direct insurance broker; or (iii) is employed by or acts as an appointed representative for a licensed financial adviser or an exempt financial adviser; and

2 Structured CPD training includes lectures, conferences, workshops and courses, which have clear learning objectives and outcomes, and such learning objectives and outcomes are clearly documented and independently verified. Structured CPD training excludes activities that are part of the job scope of the in paragraph 10A such as carrying out research on products and services for clients but will include product seminars prior to the launch of new products and e-learning courses.

Training and Competency Requirement: Health Insurance (b) who wishes to provide advice on or arrange contracts of insurance or both, in respect of shield plans, is not required to comply with the requirement in paragraph 9A, (i) for the calendar year that he passes the health insurance module conducted by SCI; or (ii) for the calendar year that he was appointed, if he was appointed anytime between 1 October and 31 December (both dates inclusive) of that calendar year. [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2015, wef 1 Jan 2016] 9C. A direct insurer, a direct insurance broker, an exempt direct insurance broker, a licensed financial adviser or an exempt financial adviser shall ensure that any individual it employs or, where applicable, who acts as its insurance agent or appointed representative complies with the requirements in paragraph 9A. [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2015, wef 1 Jan 2016] 9D. A direct insurer, a direct insurance broker, an exempt direct insurance broker, a licensed financial adviser or an exempt financial adviser shall obtain, and retain for a period of 5 years from the date of the written records, written records and supporting documents that show that any individual which it employs or who acts as its insurance agent or appointed representative has complied with the requirements in paragraph 9A. [MAS 117 (Amendment) 2015, wef 1 Jan 2016] Contravention of requirements imposed
10. Contravention of any requirement imposed under this Notice is an offence and
attracts the penalty specified in section 55(2) of the Act.

Training and Competency Requirement: Health Insurance Commencement and cancellation
11. This Notice shall take effect on 26 January 2004. Notice MAS 117 on “Training
and Competency Requirement: Health Insurance Module” dated 31 December 2002 is cancelled.

Training and Competency Requirement: Health Insurance *Endnotes of History of Amendments

1. MAS Notice 117 (Amendment) 2004 dated 13 February 2004 with effect
   from 13 February 2004
2. MAS Notice 117 (Amendment) 2010 dated 11 August 2010 with effect
   from 11 August 2010
3. MAS Notice 117 (Amendment) 2010 dated 26 November 2010 with effect
   from 26 November 2010
4. MAS Notice 117 (Amendment) 2015 dated 28 December 2015 with effect
   from 1 January 2016
5. MAS Notice 117 (Amendment) 2020 dated 16 April 2020 with effect from 16
   April 2020